Reaching the Transition

The journey to retirement is marked by years of discipline, hard work, and careful planning. Now, as you approach this major life transition, the opportunities are wide open: use your time as you want, explore your passions, and have impact on the people and communities that matter most to you. Retirement isn’t just the end of a career – it can be the beginning of a season rich with meaning and purpose. It’s proof that the best rewards often follow the hardest work.

Three generations of a family knitting together on a couch, with an older woman and a young girl sharing a project, and an older man holding a cup.

The Problem:

Coming Up Short

You have a life and lifestyle you want to enjoy in retirement. Yet, bringing that together financially in retirement isn’t as simple as a direct deposit from your 401K or IRA. It’s emotional, even painful at times, going from saving your money to spending it.

In fact, research finds that retirees spend only half of what is often suggested by conventional withdrawal strategies like the “4% Rule.”

Retirees Spend Lifetime Income, Not Savings — Blanchett and Finke 2024

How The Four Buckets Helps You Enjoy Your Retirement Income

Bucket 1: Cash Reserves

Funds to cover near-term expenses and a little extra for emergencies and opportunities.

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Bucket 2: Earned Income

Income sources like pensions, Social Security and other inflation-protected, lifetime sources for your lifestyle.

Illustration of a bank building with a dollar sign above it, inside a cylindrical container with a blue opening.

Bucket 3: Secure Income

Completing your ideal lifestyle, often through contractually-protected, lifetime income.

A cylinder with a shield and cross symbol indicating security or protection.

Bucket 4: Growth & Legacy

Assets geared for growth and tax optimization for later life expenses and financial legacy.

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Real stories from retirees using the Four Buckets to live with financial clarity

Close-up of an elderly man with blue eyes and gray hair, wearing a plaid shirt and a red bandana around his neck, looking to the side.

“I definitely needed assistance with my financial side of life moving into my retirement years. It was very concerning for me. The Four Buckets income strategy made sense in keeping me financially straight through my retirement years. Ethan has helped me every step of the way and I am very pleased…”

Arnold S.

Smiling elderly couple in holiday attire behind decorated Christmas garland at shopping mall.

“…The Four Buckets has been exceptionally forward thinking in helping us plan and fund our retirement so we won’t have to alter our lifestyle…”

Laurie and Danny C.

A woman with gray hair, wearing glasses, a gray beret, and a light colored shirt, looking off to the side with a soft smile in a bright room.

“...I was getting ready to retire and wanted to make sure I would be okay financially. Many thanks to The Four Buckets, my husband and I are both retired and doing wonderful…”

Colleen M.