Income Planning Assessment

Complete the questions below and we'll prepare your customized income planning assessment

and checklist showing the strengths and opportunities in your plan

First Name *

Last Name *

Email (Please use same email you use to log in to the courses with) *

Phone *

Section 2: About You

To provide a meaningful analysis, we need to understand your personal situation.

What's your birthday? (Why we ask: Your birth year determines your Social Security Full Retirement Age, when Required Minimum Distributions begin, Medicare eligibility, and your total planning horizon.)

What is your marital status?

What is your current annual household income (from all sources, before taxes)?

Section 3: Lifestyle, Spending & Debt

Before we look at your assets, we need to understand what those assets need to fund.

When calculating your monthly retirement budget, do you think in terms of "Gross" (before taxes) or "Net" (after taxes)?

Net - I have calculated exactly what I need after taxes

Gross - using a pre-tax number and assuming taxes will come out of it

I have not factored taxes into my monthly budget at all

I have not calculated a monthly budget yet

How much monthly Net income (after taxes) do you believe you will need to fund your desired retirement lifestyle?

Do you expect your spending in the first 10 years of retirement (the "Go-Go" years) to be higher, lower, or about the same as your spending today?

Higher - I plan to travel start hobbies and be very active

About the same

Lower - my mortgage will be paid off and my expenses will drop

Which of the following debts do you expect to carry into retirement? (Please select all that apply)

Mortgage on my primary residence

Mortgage on a second home or investment property

Auto loans

Credit card debt or personal loans

Student loans for myself or my children

None - I will be completely debt-free

Do you currently own any annuities designed to provide guaranteed lifetime income?

Yes

No

I own an annuity but am not sure if it provides guaranteed lifetime income

What is your estimated combined monthly income from all guaranteed sources (Social Security, pensions, annuities)?

How confident are you that your guaranteed income sources alone will cover your essential, non-negotiable living expenses (housing, food, healthcare, utilities)?

Section 5: Investment Assets & Withdrawal Strategy

The gap between your guaranteed income and your total spending need must be filled by withdrawing from your investments.

Roughly how much do you (and your spouse, if applicable) currently have saved across all investment and retirement accounts?

If you needed $50,000 for an emergency tomorrow, could you access it from your retirement savings without damaging your long-term income plan?

Yes easily - I have plenty of cushion beyond what I need for income

Probably but it would set my plan back

No - most of my savings are committed to generating the income I need

Not sure

If you had to use a portion of your savings to purchase a guaranteed income floor so you never had to worry about market crashes, how would you feel?

Relieved - I would gladly trade some principal for guaranteed peace of mind

Open to it if the math proved it was the most efficient strategy

Reluctant - I prefer to keep control of all my assets even if it means market risk

Strongly opposed - I never want to give up control of my principal

Healthcare & Longevity Risk: When planning your retirement, what age are you assuming you will live to?

Do you have a specific plan to cover the escalating costs of long-term care (e.g., assisted living, memory care, or in-home nursing)?

Yes - I have a Long-Term Care insurance policy or hybrid asset

Yes - I plan to self-fund using my savings or home equity

No - I assume Medicare will cover it

No - I have not figured this out yet

MAGI Cliff Awareness: Are you aware that taking just one extra dollar of income from a pre-tax account could trigger thousands of dollars in extra Medicare Part B & D premiums?

Yes - my withdrawal strategy is carefully mapped to avoid crossing IRMAA and MAGI thresholds

I have heard of this but do not actively manage my withdrawals around it

No - I was not aware of this cliff

Do you have a documented "Distribution Sequence" (a specific plan for which accounts to pull money from first, second, and third to minimize taxes)?

Yes - I have a clear tax-optimized withdrawal sequence

I have a general idea but nothing formally documented

No - I plan to pull money proportionally from wherever it is

Send a link to my results and any follow-up questions over SMS (max 4 messages). *

Yes

No

Assessment Results Terms *

Send me a link to my assessment and a follow up regarding the assessment quality over SMS. Total messages sent from selecting this option: no more than 4.

Send educational opportunities, financial news, and event invitations to me over SMS. (Max 4/month) *

Yes

No

Additional Offers Terms *

Send me education and planning opportunities or other information I may be interested in from The Retirement Institute Estate & Legacy via SMS. Frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Text HELP for assistance, reply STOP to opt out.

This assessment is designed to provide educational information. It is intended to serve as a framework for discussion with a qualified professional and is not a substitute for professional advice. *

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Any projections, estimates, formulas, statistics, or calculations shown are hypothetical in nature and are based on the information you provided, along with standardized assumptions. Actual results will vary. Past performance of investments is not indicative of future results. This assessment is based on national averages and may not reflect your particular situation, therefore it does not recommend any specific insurance product, financial institution or product, plan, or provider. *

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The information contained in this assessment does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Scores, calculations, and findings are educational approximations based on the information you provided. Your actual situation may differ materially from any estimates shown. You should consult with a licensed professional before making any decisions. *

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Content in this assessment may have been generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence (AI) systems. While AI can provide valuable educational insights, these systems can make mistakes or produce inaccurate information. The information presented should be used as a starting point for your planning discussions, not as definitive advice. Before taking any actions, consult with qualified professionals who can evaluate your specific situation. *

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The Retirement Institute has not acted as your legal, financial, or fiduciary advisor in the preparation of this report. *

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Educational Content Disclaimer: All content provided by The Retirement Institute, including on this website, in our courses, and from our instructors, is for informational and educational purposes only. The Retirement Institute is not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial services firm, and does not operate as a financial fiduciary.

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Income Planning Assessment

Section 1: The Emotional Foundation

Let's start with how you feel about the transition from saving to spending.

Section 2: About You

To provide a meaningful analysis, we need to understand your personal situation.

Section 3: Lifestyle, Spending & Debt

Before we look at your assets, we need to understand what those assets need to fund.

Section 4: Guaranteed Income Sources (The 80/20 Principle)

In retirement, there are two types of income: "Promise-Based" (guaranteed, contractual, like Social Security or a pension) and "Risk-Based" (dependent on stock market performance). Ideally, 80% of your essential lifestyle should be Promise-Based.

Section 5: Investment Assets & Withdrawal Strategy

The gap between your guaranteed income and your total spending need must be filled by withdrawing from your investments.

Section 6: Navigating the "Red Zone" & Retirement Risks

The 10 years before and the 10 years after retirement form the "Red Zone"
— the time when your portfolio is most vulnerable to market drops.

Section 7: Tax Efficiency & Asset Location

Tax strategy is often the largest single lever in a retirement income plan.
After all, it's not how much you have, but how much you keep that's most important.

Section 8: The Plan Itself & Professional Guidance

Income Planning Assessment

Section 1: The Emotional Foundation

Let's start with how you feel about the transition from saving to spending.

Section 2: About You

To provide a meaningful analysis, we need to understand your personal situation.

Section 3: Lifestyle, Spending & Debt

Before we look at your assets, we need to understand what those assets need to fund.

Section 4: Guaranteed Income Sources (The 80/20 Principle)

In retirement, there are two types of income: "Promise-Based" (guaranteed, contractual, like Social Security or a pension) and "Risk-Based" (dependent on stock market performance). Ideally, 80% of your essential lifestyle should be Promise-Based.

Section 5: Investment Assets & Withdrawal Strategy

The gap between your guaranteed income and your total spending need must be filled by withdrawing from your investments.

Section 6: Navigating the "Red Zone" & Retirement Risks

The 10 years before and the 10 years after retirement form the "Red Zone" — the time when your portfolio is most vulnerable to market drops.

Section 7: Tax Efficiency & Asset Location

Tax strategy is often the largest single lever in a retirement income plan. After all, it's not how much you have, but how much you keep that's most important.

Section 8: The Plan Itself & Professional Guidance

The 10 years before and the 10 years after retirement form the "Red Zone"
— the time when your portfolio is most vulnerable to market drops.

Tax strategy is often the largest single lever in a retirement income plan.
After all, it's not how much you have, but how much you keep that's most important.