RETIREMENT INCOME PLANNING
Navigate with confidence, not guesswork.
You've spent decades building your retirement savings. Now comes the hardest part: actually spending it.
Most retirement plans rely on outdated rules that leave you wondering: "How much can I actually spend?"
It's why so many retirees either abandon their plan when markets get scary or hoard their savings out of fear of the unknown.
You deserve better than guesswork.
Our Retirement Income Guardrails work like a GPS system for your retirement, rerouting around traffic and providing clear signals for adjustments while keeping you on track for your destination.
The result? You'll understand how much you can spend today, when adjustments might be needed tomorrow, and feel more confident spending the money that you’ve worked so hard to save.
What Makes Us Different
Guardrails Income Framework
Together, we'll set clear boundaries for your retirement spending and provide guidance on when - and by how much - you might need to adjust. Our goal is to remove the guesswork from your most important financial decisions.
Hybrid Risk-Aware Investing
Our investment process is like adaptive cruise control in your car – slowing down when conditions worsen and re-accelerating once the road clears – because you can't afford to 'just ride it out' in retirement.
Monthly Monitoring
Your retirement income plan is monitored behind the scenes by our team every month. If adjustments are recommended, we'll reach out and talk through it with you. Otherwise, you get to enjoy your retirement without constantly checking market headlines or your account balance.
Retirement GPS System
Just like you trust your GPS to navigate around rush hour traffic to get you home on time, your retirement income plan should be designed to adapt when life throws unexpected changes your way. Market downturns, health expenses, or family needs don't need to derail your financial future.
Why Retirement Income Guardrails?
After decades of saving, you face two competing risks: running out of money or living too cautiously and missing the experiences you worked so hard to enjoy.
Traditional approaches offer false comfort. The "4% rule" is like a paper map from the 1990s - outdated and inflexible. "Probability of success" models give you odds but no guidance, leaving you to make emotional decisions during rough markets.
Our Retirement Income Guardrails approach transforms your experience with clear withdrawal boundaries, predetermined adjustment signals, and monthly monitoring - helping you enjoy the retirement you've earned.
Your Guardrails work hand-in-hand with our adaptive investment approach. While Guardrails show you how much you can confidently spend, our investment management helps ensure that money is there when you need it.
The greatest risk isn’t running out of money. It’s looking back wishing you’d taken that trip, spent more time with grandkids, or said ‘yes’ when it mattered most.
Ready to see how your investment strategy supports your retirement paycheck?
This approach is designed for people who ask themselves...
Am I actually ready to retire?
You've saved diligently for decades, but aren't sure if you can confidently transition from a company paycheck to a retirement paycheck. You need clarity on whether your resources can support the lifestyle you want and the freedom to enjoy this next chapter without worry.
Am I making the most of my retirement?
You've transitioned to retirement, but something is holding you back. You're spending more cautiously than you need to. You're concerned that healthcare costs could derail your retirement dreams. You’re ready to move from uncertainty to clarity and create the experiences and memories you've worked decades to afford.
What if the person handling our money can't anymore?
One of you handles most financial affairs while the other is happy to let them take the lead. That person might even be capable of managing retirement on their own. But what happens if they can't? We make sure both spouses understand the plan and feel confident about their financial future to keep everyone informed in case life circumstances change.
Should I expect more from my financial advisor?
You meet with your current advisor once a year to review investments, and they tell you everything looks fine. But you still don't know how much you can actually spend in retirement or how to coordinate all your financial resources into a reliable retirement paycheck. You're starting to wonder if there's a better way to get the guidance you really need.
How we approach retirement income planning
Discover
You'll gain clarity on what your retirement paycheck looks like given all your resources, not just your investment accounts. This includes Social Security, pensions, annuities, and other assets all working together.
Design
You'll work with us to build your personalized Guardrails with clear boundaries. You'll understand how much you can spend - and when adjustments might be needed in the future - to remove the guesswork from your most important financial decisions.
Validate
You'll see how your plan would have performed through history's most difficult market conditions, giving you confidence that your retirement income plan can handle the inevitable bumps in the road.
Protect
You'll receive ongoing, behind-the-scenes monitoring by our team every month. We'll let you know when your guardrails suggest attention is needed, otherwise, you're free to go out and enjoy your retirement!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get paid?
We use a transparent, two-part fee structure:
Financial Planning: $99/month for Social Security optimization, benefit reviews, and planning support—even if your assets are in a 401(k).
Retirement Income Planning:
Asset-based fee for our full Guardrails system and investment management:
$1 - $250,000: 0.75%
$250,001 - $500,000:
$500,001 - $750,000: 0.65%
$750,001 - $1,000,000: 0.60%
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000: 0.55%
$2,000,001+: 0.50%No setup fees or platform fees. We use low-cost index funds to keep investment expenses minimal.
Fees listed represent the annual percentage of assets under management. Investment advisory services are subject to client agreement. Fee schedules may change and are disclosed in our Form ADV Part 2.
Is there a cost for initial consultations?
No. Your first conversation with us is completely free, and typically 30 minutes or less. This is simply a get-to-know-you conversation to see if we might be a good fit for each other.
We're not discussing money or trying to sell you anything, just understanding your questions and whether we can potentially add value to your situation.
If there's mutual interest, we'll invite you to securely share your financial information through our monitoring app so we can have a more informed second conversation—also at no cost.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes. We are a registered investment adviser (RIA) and act as a fiduciary to all of our clients. This means we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times, not our own.
What's the minimum to work with you?
We don't have account minimums, but we do our best work for people who have saved more than $500,000 for retirement and want to make the most of this next chapter of their lives.
If you're a positive person who's ready to embrace retirement and use your resources to live fully, we'd love to talk with you.
Do your retirement planning and investment services work together?
Yes, they're designed as an integrated system. Your Retirement Income Guardrails determine sustainable spending levels, while our Hybrid Risk-Aware investments help protect and grow the assets funding those withdrawals. You can start with either service, but they're most powerful when working together.
How does your approach handle healthcare cost uncertainty?
Our Guardrails system can include flexibility for healthcare expenses or long-term care, while our adaptive investment approach aims to manage inflation risks - including rising healthcare costs. We'll help you plan for various healthcare scenarios without letting fear of future costs prevent you from enjoying retirement today.
What happens if I want to stop working together?
You can end our services at any time with no termination fees or lengthy notice periods. We believe you should feel empowered to make decisions that are best for your money. All we ask is that you send your request in writing, and we'd appreciate a brief conversation—not to convince you to stay, but to learn how we can better serve people in the future.
Disclosures:
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult your financial advisor before making decisions.
Investment advisory services provided through Christensen Group Financial, LLC, a registered investment adviser with the SEC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Christensen Group Inc. For more information about our services and regulatory filings, please see our Form ADV Part 2A.
The Guardrails framework is a financial planning methodology based on historical market data, spending assumptions, and investment guidelines. It is not a guarantee of future results. All plans rely on assumptions that may not reflect actual future performance.While we account for potential healthcare and inflation scenarios, no planning process can predict all future outcomes with certainty.
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