Two Paths, One Problem

We were two advisors approaching retirement income differently. I focused on modern planning—conservative withdrawal rates, tight budgets and diversified portfolios. My father prioritized something else: helping retirees actually use their savings to live a fulfilling retirement, not just protect it.

We were serving the same demographic, yet the outcomes and emotional experiences were miles apart.

A Turning Point

Then came 2020. As markets plunged and uncertainty spread, the contrast became impossible to ignore. My clients and I hesitated—second-guessing every move, even though we had planned for moments like this. Meanwhile, Dad’s clients—nervous like everyone else—showed resolve and kept living their lives.

The difference wasn’t discipline—it was design. How income is structured shapes behavior, confidence, and quality of life.

Developing a Framework

I started listening again. I needed a better strategy—one that helped retirees spend and enjoy their savings with confidence. Dad needed a modernized process—something collaborative and transparent, not built solely on experience and trust.

Together, we sketched ideas on a whiteboard using plain language and simple visuals. What began as a conversation became a clear, repeatable system that balanced security with lifestyle.

That framework became The Four Buckets Retirement Income Strategy®.

Why It Matters

Across the country, retirees face a familiar challenge: fewer pensions, anxiety around Social Security, and a strong instinct to preserve at the expense of living. The result is often a retirement spent cautiously—not confidently.

The Four Buckets Strategy exists to solve that problem. It gives retirees structure, clarity, and permission to enjoy the life they’ve prepared for—while maintaining safety and sustainability.

What You’ll Learn

In The Four Buckets, you’ll follow three retiree households through real decisions and emotional turning points. Making the transition into retirement is no small step—and you’ll likely see pieces of yourself in their stories.

From there, we’ll walk through the Four Buckets framework step by step, uncovering how it’s built, why it works, and the intention behind every piece. By the end, you’ll start to see how this approach can bring greater clarity, confidence, and purpose to your own retirement.

This isn’t a technical manual. It’s a practical guide to planning and living a better retirement.

A Framework with a Mission

Our goal has always been bigger than one firm or one book. The Four Buckets is about transforming how retirees across the country think about—and live out—their retirement years.

Whether you’re a retiree, a financial advisor, or simply someone planning ahead, we invite you to explore the framework, read the book, and start seeing your retirement through a new lens.