RETIREMENT PLANNING
A plan you can actually live with.
Retirement planning isn't about hitting one magic number. It's about lining up your income, taxes, and lifestyle so the years ahead feel steady — not stressful.
Start with the life, not the spreadsheet
Before we look at any numbers, we talk about what you actually want your retirement to look like. The plan flows from that — not the other way around.
Coordinate the moving parts
Social Security, pensions, IRAs, taxes, healthcare. Each piece affects the others. A real plan brings them onto the same page so nothing surprises you.
Revisit it as life changes
A plan written once and filed away rarely survives the first market dip or family change. We treat planning as an ongoing conversation, not a one-time event.
What this means for you
Use the Retirement Assessment to get a snapshot of where you stand, then the Calculator to test ideas. Both are free and take only a few minutes.
FAQ
Common questions about retirement
The questions we hear most often from people trying to figure out if their plan really works.
How do I know if I will have enough money to retire?
Compare your expected annual spending to your projected income — Social Security, any pension, and a sustainable withdrawal (often around 4%) from your savings. When income covers spending with a little room to spare, you're in a strong spot. The free Retirement Assessment walks you through it in about five minutes.
How much money do most people retire with?
Recent Federal Reserve data shows the average retirement savings for Americans aged 55–64 is around $538,000, with a median near $185,000. The encouraging part: your savings is only one piece of the picture — Social Security, home equity, and a thoughtful plan can stretch those dollars much further than the headline number suggests.
What is the most important thing to get right in retirement planning?
Building a plan that accounts for the full 25–30 years of retirement, including taxes, healthcare, and inflation. The good news is that once you have that bigger picture, most decisions get simpler — you just check each new choice against the plan rather than guessing.
Can I retire at 62 with $500,000?
Yes — many people do. At 62, $500,000 can generate roughly $1,500–$1,700/month using a 4% withdrawal, alongside early Social Security of around $1,400/month. With a reasonable lifestyle and a healthcare plan in place for the years before Medicare, it's a very workable starting point.
What is the difference between a retirement assessment and a retirement calculator?
The assessment gives you an at-a-glance readiness score across savings, income, and timing — so you know where you stand. The calculator lets you test specific scenarios and see what's possible. Most people enjoy starting with the assessment, then using the calculator to explore ideas.
Is Will We Have Enough free to use?
Yes — both the Retirement Assessment and the Retirement Calculator are completely free, with no obligation. The site exists to help you see your situation more clearly, whether or not we ever speak.
STRATEGY SPOTLIGHT
Roth Conversions: A Strategy Worth Understanding
One of the most impactful moves some pre-retirees can make is converting traditional IRA or 401(k) funds into a Roth IRA before retirement. Done strategically, it can reduce the taxes you'll pay in retirement — potentially for decades.
Roth conversions aren't right for everyone, and the timing matters a great deal. If you're in a lower-income year or expect tax rates to rise, a partial conversion may be worth exploring. Scott Farrow works with clients to model these scenarios and find the approach that fits their specific situation.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
You've learned the fundamentals. Now take the next step. The Retirement Assessment takes just a few minutes and gives you a personalized picture of your retirement readiness.
Or run the numbers yourself with the Retirement Calculator — no login required.
Prefer to talk it through? Scott Farrow is available for a no-pressure conversation.
Ready to see where you stand?
It only takes a few minutes — and you'll get a clearer picture of what comes next.