Let’s start with the big idea Wade introduced: Retirement Income Style Awareness, or RISA. This tool helps you figure out which retirement income strategy fits you best—because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. RISA defines four broad styles:

1. Total Returns – Think the 4% rule: investment-based, flexible withdrawals.
2. Income Protection – A secure income floor first (like pensions or annuities), then investing.
3. Time Segmentation – “Bucketing” assets based on when you’ll need the money.
4. Risk Wrap – A hybrid approach that uses products like annuities with market growth potential and downside protection.

What I appreciated most about this approach is how it recognizes your preferences and risk comfort. Some people want predictability, others want growth—and your strategy should reflect that. With a 12-question RISA assessment, you can get matched with a style that supports your real-life goals, not just spreadsheet math.

Of course, tax efficiency is the unsung hero of any retirement plan. Wade and Joe Anderson dove into Roth conversions, and the timing couldn’t be more critical. Thanks to Secure Act 2.0, stretch IRAs are dead—your heirs now have just 10 years to withdraw inherited IRA funds, often during their peak earning years. That’s a tax bomb waiting to happen. By converting traditional IRAs to Roth now—especially while tax rates are low under the current law (set to sunset in 2026)—you can lighten your future tax load and boost after-tax wealth for your family.

Wade made a strong case for using today’s low tax environment to front-load conversions, especially if you’re in a lower bracket today than you’ll be in retirement—or your heirs will be. But be careful: over-converting into higher tax brackets (like 32% or 37%) can do more harm than good. This is where careful planning comes into play.

We also tackled annuities, and I’ll be honest—this topic tends to get a bad rap, mostly because of high-commission sales tactics. But used correctly, annuities can be powerful tools. Wade explained how simple income annuities and deferred annuities with living benefits offer risk pooling—a system that allows higher payouts because not everyone lives to the same age. They’re not for everyone, but if used as part of a larger income strategy, annuities can support higher spending than bonds alone.

But don’t fall for free steak dinners. Work with a fiduciary advisor who includes annuities in the context of your broader plan, and always look at fees and implied returns before signing on.

Next, we revisited the famous 4% rule—the idea that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually and not run out of money. Wade and Joe made it clear: this is a starting point, not a rule to live by. It doesn’t account for market conditions, inflation shocks, or personal changes like health events. It’s most useful during the accumulation phase—when you’re saving and want to gauge “how much is enough”—but in retirement, flexibility is key. Be willing to adjust your withdrawals as markets and life evolve.

We also discussed managing market volatility, something on every retiree’s radar lately. Joe offered five smart strategies:

1. Assess your total risk exposure.
2. Rebalance regularly—buy when markets are down, sell when up.
3. Stay diversified globally, including large-cap growth and international assets.
4. Use asset location wisely—keep high-growth investments in Roth IRAs for tax-free growth, and lower-return assets in tax-deferred accounts.
5. Harvest tax losses in brokerage accounts to reduce your taxable income without changing your overall allocation.

This kind of proactive investing helps you stay disciplined during downturns and prepares your portfolio for long-term growth.

Finally, we met Al Bundy (yes, really), who has a $10 million net worth and wants to spend $275,000–$300,000 annually in retirement. For someone in his position, Roth conversions are still critical—especially to reduce future RMDs and avoid climbing into even higher tax brackets. Joe and Wade advised Al to live off brokerage accounts now and convert up to the 32% bracket while today’s tax rates still apply. They also flagged the widow’s tax penalty as a future risk—once one spouse passes, the survivor could be taxed at higher single filer rates. Planning for that now is key.

Whether you’ve saved $300,000 or $10 million, the principles are the same: align your strategy with your preferences, use taxes to your advantage, and adjust your plan as markets and laws change.

Intended for educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Neither the information presented, nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decisions. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES:

• Investment Advisory and Financial Planning Services are offered through Pure Financial Advisors, LLC. A Registered Investment Advisor.

• Pure Financial Advisors, LLC. does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult with a tax advisor or attorney regarding specific situations.

• Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.

• Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

• All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

• Intended for educational purposes only and are not intended as individualized advice or a guarantee that you will achieve a desired result. Before implementing any strategies discussed you should consult your tax and financial advisors.

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