Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning Isn't About Reaching a Magic Number
For many people, retirement isn't about turning a certain age or reaching a particular account balance.
It's about knowing you can stop working when you're ready, spend more time with the people you love, and enjoy the next chapter of life without constantly wondering whether your money will last.
That's where thoughtful retirement planning can make all the difference.
Whether retirement is still several years away or you've already retired, a well-designed retirement plan helps bring all of the important financial decisions together so they support the life you want to live. From retirement income and investments to taxes, Social Security, healthcare, and estate planning, every decision should work toward one goal: helping you enjoy retirement with greater confidence.
Retirement Planning in Peoria, IL
At Nash-Hasty Private Wealth Management, we've been helping individuals and families throughout Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties prepare for retirement since 1998. Our role isn't simply to manage investments. It's to help you make informed financial decisions before and throughout retirement so you can spend less time worrying about money and more time enjoying the years you've worked so hard to reach.
What Does Retirement Planning Look Like at Nash-Hasty Private Wealth Management?
Retirement planning is much more than saving money for the future.
To us, retirement planning begins with getting to know you—not just your finances. Before discussing investments, we want to understand what's most important to you. What does retirement look like? What are your hopes, dreams, and goals for this next chapter of life? What experiences do you want to have, and what concerns keep you awake at night?
Every family is different, which means every retirement plan should be different. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, we take the time to understand your unique situation and build a strategy around the life you want to live.
As your plan comes together, we'll help answer many of the questions people naturally have as retirement approaches, including:
- Can I afford to retire?
- Will my money last throughout retirement?
- When should I begin taking Social Security?
- How will taxes affect my retirement income?
- Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?
- How much should I keep in cash?
- How should my investments change once I'm retired?
- How often should I review my retirement plan?
The answers to these questions don't exist in isolation. One decision often affects several others. That's why we believe retirement planning works best when every important financial decision is viewed as part of one coordinated strategy.
Our GPS Retirement Roadmap™ is designed to bring those pieces together by coordinating your investments, retirement income, taxes, Social Security, estate planning, insurance, and long-term goals into a comprehensive retirement strategy built around you.
As an independent, fee-only fiduciary, our responsibility is to provide objective advice that's aligned with your best interests. Because we aren't tied to proprietary investment products or sales quotas, our recommendations are based on what we believe best supports your long-term goals.
Why Work with a Local Retirement Planner?
Retirement planning is personal.
Many of our clients appreciate working with someone they know by name, someone they can meet with face-to-face, and someone who takes the time to truly understand what's important to them.
For nearly three decades, we've had the privilege of helping individuals and families throughout Central Illinois prepare for retirement, navigate important financial decisions, and adjust their plans as life changes.
As an independent, fee-only fiduciary, we believe financial advice should be personal, objective, and built around your goals—not someone else's sales quotas or proprietary products.
Our relationships don't end once a plan is created. Life changes. Markets change. Tax laws change. Your retirement plan should evolve as your life evolves, giving you the confidence to move forward knowing your plan continues to reflect your goals and priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retirement Planning
What is retirement planning?
Retirement planning is the process of coordinating your investments, retirement income, taxes, Social Security, healthcare, estate planning, and other important financial decisions into one comprehensive strategy. The goal isn't simply to accumulate wealth—it's to help you enjoy retirement with greater confidence.
When should I begin retirement planning?
The earlier you begin, the more options you'll typically have. However, meaningful retirement planning can still make a significant difference even if retirement is only a few years away or you've already retired. It's never too early—or too late—to benefit from a thoughtful plan.
Can I afford to retire?
Every situation is different. The answer depends on your retirement savings, expected spending, income sources, taxes, healthcare costs, and long-term goals. A comprehensive retirement plan can help determine whether you're financially prepared for the retirement lifestyle you envision.
Will my money last throughout retirement?
One of the biggest concerns retirees have is whether their savings will support them for the rest of their lives. A retirement income strategy should balance growth, income, inflation, taxes, and market fluctuations to help create sustainable income throughout retirement.
When should I begin taking Social Security?
There isn't one right age for everyone. The best claiming strategy depends on your overall retirement plan, health, other income sources, taxes, and family circumstances. Evaluating Social Security as part of your broader financial plan often leads to better long-term decisions.
How will taxes affect my retirement income?
Taxes don't stop when you retire. The way you withdraw money from different account types can affect your overall tax bill, Medicare premiums, and even how much of your Social Security benefits are taxable. Coordinating tax planning with your retirement income strategy may help improve long-term outcomes.
Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?
For some families, paying off a mortgage provides greater peace of mind. For others, maintaining additional savings and investment flexibility may make more sense. The right answer depends on your complete financial picture rather than a general rule of thumb.
How much cash should I keep in retirement?
Maintaining an appropriate cash reserve can help cover unexpected expenses and provide flexibility during periods of market volatility. The right amount varies depending on your spending needs, income sources, and overall retirement strategy.
How should my investments change once I'm retired?
The investment strategy that helped build your retirement savings isn't always the same strategy that's appropriate during retirement. Many retirees shift their focus from simply growing assets to balancing growth, income, flexibility, and risk while continuing to invest for the years ahead.
How often should I review my retirement plan?
Retirement planning isn't something you complete once and forget about. Major life events, market changes, tax law updates, healthcare costs, and changes in your goals can all affect your plan. Reviewing your retirement strategy regularly helps ensure it continues to reflect your current circumstances and long-term objectives.
Let's Start with a Compass Conversation
Planning for retirement doesn't have to feel overwhelming.
Every relationship at Nash-Hasty Private Wealth Management begins with a Compass Conversation.
It's a relaxed, no-pressure meeting designed to answer the questions that brought you here. Before we discuss investments or recommendations, we want to get to know you—your goals, your concerns, and what you hope retirement will look like.
You Talk. We Listen.
You Ask. We Answer.
Your Questions. Your Pace. No Pressure.
Our goal is simple: to help you leave with greater clarity and a better understanding of where you are today and the opportunities that may be available to help you move forward with confidence.
If you'd like to schedule your Compass Conversation, we'd be honored to meet you.