When it comes to preparing for retirement, there’s no shortage of advice out there—books, blogs, calculators, and countless online tools. But at some point, many people may wonder: Do I need a financial planner for this? The short answer is yes—financial planners can play a key role in helping you retire comfortably and confidently.
Some may assume financial planners are solely focused on investments, but the reality is quite different. A skilled financial planner provides guidance that includes—but may go far beyond—choosing the right stocks or mutual funds.
What Exactly Do Financial Planners Do for Retirement?
A financial planner may serve as your personal guide through the often complex world of retirement planning. Many may take a holistic view of your financial life, helping you craft a personalized strategy to help you reach your retirement goals while avoiding common pitfalls.
Here’s how a financial planner can help:
- Goal Setting: Determine how much you’ll need to retire and at what age.
- Savings Strategy: Develop a plan to consistently save through IRAs, 401(k)s, or other retirement accounts.
- Investment Management: Build and adjust a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance and timeline.
- Social Security Optimization: Help you decide when to start taking benefits for optimization with your overall income plan.
- Healthcare Planning: Prepare for Medicare, supplemental insurance, and long-term care expenses.
- Tax Efficiency: Minimize taxes on retirement income and required minimum distributions (RMDs).
- Estate Planning: Coordinate with legal professionals to help ensure your assets are care for and transferred according to your wishes.
In short, a financial planner can help turn your retirement dreams into a clear, actionable plan.
Signs You Could Benefit from a Financial Planner
Not everyone needs a financial planner at every stage of life. However, if any of the following apply to you, working with a planner could be a smart move:
- You’re within 10–15 years of retirement and want a clear, detailed plan.
- You’re unsure how much you need to save or whether you’re on track.
- You have multiple income sources (401(k), IRA, rental property, etc.) and need help managing withdrawals.
- You want to reduce taxes in retirement and aren’t sure how to structure distributions.
- You’re overwhelmed by Medicare, Social Security, or long-term care decisions.
- You want to leave a financial legacy for children, grandchildren, or charity.
Financial planners can offer valuable clarity especially when retirement is no longer just a distant goal but a fast-approaching reality.
Retirement planning is too important to leave to guesswork or one-size-fits-all advice. At Vantage Point Financial, our experienced financial advisors work closely with you to understand your goals, map out your options, and build a personalized retirement strategy that evolves as your life does.
Whether you’re just starting to think about retirement or need help fine-tuning your plan, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you live retirement boldly and on your terms.
Investment advisory services are offered through Vantage Point Financial, a registered investment adviser. Registration with any regulatory body does not imply any particular level of skill. This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Working with a financial planner does not ensure financial success or prevent loss. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The scenarios presented are hypothetical and are intended for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future outcomes. Individual results will vary. Certain financial strategies may offer tax advantages, but outcomes depend on individual circumstances and are subject to change due to tax laws and other external factors. Vantage Point Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult a tax professional. Retirement outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including individual savings behavior, market performance, health events, and other considerations. Certain statements herein may reflect the firm’s current views, expectations, or beliefs, which are subject to change without notice. For additional information about our services, fees, and disclosures, please refer to our Form ADV Part 2A, available at https://vantage-point.mwdevsite.com or upon request at no cost.
