Dr. Wade Pfau: Discovering Your Retirement Income Style (part 1)

Have you ever wondered why generic retirement advice feels so uncomfortable? The answer might lie in your unique Retirement Income Style. 

In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Wade Pfau, renowned retirement income expert and creator of the Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) framework, we uncover how understanding your personal financial psychology transforms retirement planning. Dr. Pfau reveals why the endless debates about retirement strategies miss the mark - there's no single "right way" to retire, only the approach that aligns with your individual preferences.

We tackle the very real danger of sequence of returns risk, debunking social media claims that downplay this retirement killer. Dr. Pfau demonstrates how withdrawing from investments during market downturns creates permanent damage that even subsequent recoveries can't repair. This mathematical reality explains why conventional withdrawal strategies like the 4% rule emerged from specific historical periods and may not work for everyone.

Perhaps most surprising is Dr. Pfau's compelling case for delaying Social Security, which he calls "the best annuity money can buy." By waiting until age 70 instead of claiming at 62, retirees secure a lifetime inflation-adjusted benefit that's 76-77% higher - a return no commercial annuity can match. For married couples, this strategy provides invaluable protection for surviving spouses who may live decades after their partner's passing.

The heart of effective retirement planning involves building what Dr. Pfau calls a "floor" of protected income for essential expenses, creating freedom to invest remaining assets more aggressively. The ideal balance between guaranteed income sources and growth investments depends entirely on your RISA profile, not arbitrary rules of thumb.

Ready to discover your Retirement Income Style? Contact us at 866-780-SAFE to take the free RISA questionnaire and receive your personalized report. When your retirement strategy aligns with your financial personality, you gain more than just returns - you secure lasting peace of mind.

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