The Same Savings.
As Much As $3,125 More Per Month in Income.
Two retirees. Same portfolio. Same Social Security. Very different monthly income. The difference is the blueprint.
Most retirement strategies were built to grow wealth — not to pay it out. Social Security will cover part of your income, and it's the same either way. What changes is how the rest of your savings is structured. There's a fundamental difference between drawing down a portfolio and receiving contractual income, and on the same balance it can be worth thousands of dollars more per month in income.
"The world feels a bit chaotic these days, and having the assurance that our retirement is secure has given us enormous peace of mind. We'd recommend this process to anyone looking to plan a solid retirement."
— B. & A. Reynolds, FL
Why the Same Savings Can Generate Very Different Monthly Income
Most pre-retirees assume their retirement income is determined by how much they've saved. But the reality is that it's determined just as much by how that savings is structured to pay them.
The same balance, arranged two different ways, produces two very different paychecks. Here's what that looks like at two common savings levels:
Traditional Plan vs. Redesigned Plan
All scenarios assume $3,000/month in household Social Security.
$1,000,000 PORTFOLIO
Traditional Plan
$6,333
per month
Redesigned Plan
$8,833
per month
Difference
+$2,500
per month
$1,250,000 PORTFOLIO
Traditional Plan
$7,167
per month
Redesigned Plan
$10,292
per month
Difference
+$3,125
per month
Notice that Social Security is unchanged in both columns. All of the difference comes from the portion of your savings that's actually working to produce income.
On a $1,000,000 portfolio, a conventional 4% withdrawal produces about $3,333/month. Restructured — with roughly 60% allocated to contractual lifetime income and the remainder left invested for growth — the same balance could produce roughly $5,833/month.
That's about 75% more savings-derived income from the identical retirement nest egg, and that increase holds at $1,250,000 or any savings level, depending on how assets are structured.
This isn't about taking more risk. It's about using the right tool for the job.
When you're still accumulating, a growth-focused portfolio makes sense. When income becomes the objective, the structure of your plan matters more than the size of it.
Figures shown are hypothetical illustrations for comparison only and do not represent any specific product, contract, or client result. Full assumptions and disclosures below.
See What a Retirement Redesign Could Mean for Your Situation
Every retirement situation is different. Income riders, portfolio structure, Social Security timing, tax sequencing — the right combination depends on your specific numbers, timeline, and goals.
That's what the Retirement Income Strategy Session is for.
In a private, no-obligation conversation, we'll:
1. Review your current income structure and identify any gaps
2. Model what a redesigned approach could look like for your specific situation
3. Show you concretely how contractual income compares to your current strategy
4. Give you a clear picture of your retirement income — so you can make an informed decision
There's no pitch, no pressure, and no obligation. The purpose is clarity.
"Our advisor at Secure Retirement Planners helped us put together a detailed roadmap for our retirement. It has been a huge relief to finally have clarity about the future."
— T. & N. Holihan, CA
Find Out How Much More Income Your Savings Could Generate
Take 30 seconds to answer a few questions about your retirement situation. If it looks like a Retirement Redesign could make a meaningful difference for you, you'll be taken directly to our calendar to schedule your complimentary strategy session.
"Our retirement strategist guided us through an in-depth, no-pressure process that enabled us to craft a retirement plan tailored for our precise situation."
— C. Stephens, TX