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Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures.

Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner.

Copyright (c) 2023 Clearnomics, Inc. and Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers, LTD. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of the information and opinions contained herein. The views and the other information provided are subject to change without notice. All reports posted on or via www.clearnomics.com or any affiliated websites, applications, or services are issued without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific recipient and are not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future results. Company fundamentals and earnings may be mentioned occasionally, but should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold the company's stock. Predictions, forecasts, and estimates for any and all markets should not be construed as recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security--including mutual funds, futures contracts, and exchange traded funds, or any similar instruments. The text, images, and other materials contained or displayed in this report are proprietary to Clearnomics, Inc. and constitute valuable intellectual property. All unauthorized reproduction or other use of material from Clearnomics, Inc. shall be deemed willful infringement(s) of this copyright and other proprietary and intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, rights of privacy. Clearnomics, Inc. expressly reserves all rights in connection with its intellectual property, including without limitation the right to block the transfer of its products and services and/or to track usage thereof, through electronic tracking technology, and all other lawful means, now known or hereafter devised. Clearnomics, Inc. reserves the right, without further notice, to pursue to the fullest extent allowed by the law any and all criminal and civil remedies for the violation of its rights.

Creating an Income Floor in Retirement

  • Writer: Ethan Barry
    Ethan Barry
  • Jul 22
  • 2 min read

Why an Income Floor Is the Foundation of a Secure Retirement

This article is for anyone who doesn’t have a clear plan for where their retirement income will come from to cover monthly expenses, or for those already drawing Social Security benefits but feeling stretched to make ends meet. Planning your cash flow in retirement is crucial, and one of the best ways to do that is by understanding and establishing your income floor.


What Is an Income Floor?

An income floor refers to the minimum amount of reliable income you should aim to receive each month in retirement to cover your essential living expenses—things like housing, utilities, groceries, and medical costs.


The most common income sources used to build this floor include:


Having a predictable monthly cash flow provides peace of mind and financial stability. It also helps protect your investments from being sold during market downturns, thereby reducing your sequence of returns risk—the risk of poor investment returns early in retirement negatively impacting your long-term finances. 


Different Streams of Income

While Social Security is a foundational income source for most retirees, it often is not enough on its own to support your whole lifestyle. That's why it’s essential to establish multiple income streams. These might include the following:

  • Pension payments

  • Dividend income

  • Rental income

  • Part-time work

  • Annuity income 


These supplemental income sources provide flexibility and security, enabling you to maintain your desired standard of living throughout retirement. For those nearing or already in retirement who feel behind, some of these options may no longer be viable. In that case, part-time work would be the most practical and immediate way to boost your monthly cash flow and reduce financial pressure.

 

Building a Budget to Match Your Income Floor

Your income floor is only meaningful if you know what it needs to support, which means having a solid budget in place. Understanding your monthly and annual expenses allows you to determine whether your guaranteed income is sufficient or if you’ll need to rely on savings or other sources to close the gap.

If you do not yet have a budget in place, I strongly recommend reading the following article by Lindsey Curry on building a ‘zero-based budget’ or scheduling a consultation with one of our financial advisors, who can help you create a customized plan.

 

Final Thoughts

Knowing where your retirement “paycheck” will come from and ensuring it is enough to meet your needs is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward long-term financial peace of mind. An income floor provides the foundation. From there, you can build a retirement strategy that is both secure and flexible.

Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers is an SEC-registered investment adviser firm. The information presented is for educational purposes only and intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers reasonably believes that this marketing does not include any false or misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has a reasonable belief that the content will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Please refer to the firm’s ADV Part 2A for material risks disclosures.

Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, the nature and timing of the investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers has presented information in a fair and balanced manner.

Copyright (c) 2023 Clearnomics, Inc. and Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers, LTD. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of the information and opinions contained herein. The views and the other information provided are subject to change without notice. All reports posted on or via www.clearnomics.com or any affiliated websites, applications, or services are issued without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific recipient and are not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future results. Company fundamentals and earnings may be mentioned occasionally, but should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold the company's stock. Predictions, forecasts, and estimates for any and all markets should not be construed as recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security--including mutual funds, futures contracts, and exchange traded funds, or any similar instruments. The text, images, and other materials contained or displayed in this report are proprietary to Clearnomics, Inc. and constitute valuable intellectual property. All unauthorized reproduction or other use of material from Clearnomics, Inc. shall be deemed willful infringement(s) of this copyright and other proprietary and intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, rights of privacy. Clearnomics, Inc. expressly reserves all rights in connection with its intellectual property, including without limitation the right to block the transfer of its products and services and/or to track usage thereof, through electronic tracking technology, and all other lawful means, now known or hereafter devised. Clearnomics, Inc. reserves the right, without further notice, to pursue to the fullest extent allowed by the law any and all criminal and civil remedies for the violation of its rights.

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