Creating a Retirement Paycheck: How to Turn Your Assets Into Income 

 

For many women, the transition from saving for retirement to living off their savings can feel overwhelming. You’ve spent decades building your nest egg—but now comes the crucial question: How do I turn these assets into a steady, reliable income that lasts for life?

This process is often called “creating a retirement paycheck,” and doing it well requires careful planning, especially for women who may live longer and face unique retirement challenges.


Why Retirement Income Planning Matters for Women

Women are more likely to:

  • Live longer than men, increasing the need for income that lasts 30+ years.

  • Spend time out of the workforce for caregiving, resulting in smaller retirement accounts or Social Security benefits.

  • Become the surviving spouse responsible for managing household finances alone.

Creating a sustainable income strategy is not just about drawing money from your accounts—it’s about building a system that supports your lifestyle, goals, and legacy.


Core Components of a Retirement Paycheck

1. Understand Your Spending Needs
Start by separating your expenses into essentials (housing, food, healthcare) and discretionary (travel, hobbies, gifts). Your income strategy should cover the essentials with predictable income sources.

2. Align Income Sources
Retirement income typically comes from a mix of:

  • Social Security

  • Pensions (if applicable)

  • Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

  • IRAs and 401(k)s

  • Taxable brokerage accounts

  • Annuities or rental income

  • Part-time work or consulting

3. Plan Tax-Efficient Withdrawals
The order in which you withdraw from accounts can significantly impact how long your money lasts. A well-thought-out withdrawal strategy can reduce taxes and stretch your retirement dollars further.

4. Set a Safe Withdrawal Rate
Many advisors use the 4% rule as a starting point—but this may need adjusting based on your unique goals, portfolio, and longevity expectations. A personalized withdrawal rate can help avoid depleting assets too early.

5. Build an Income Bridge to Delay Social Security
If you’re retiring before age 70, it may make sense to temporarily draw more from savings to delay Social Security and increase your future benefit.


Managing Risk in Retirement

A retirement income strategy should also address:

  • Market Risk: Use a mix of fixed income, cash reserves, and diversified investments.

  • Longevity Risk: Consider annuities or other guaranteed income sources.

  • Healthcare Risk: Plan for rising healthcare costs and consider long-term care options.

  • Inflation Risk: Include growth-oriented assets to keep pace with rising costs.


Apriem’s Approach: Income With Intention

At Apriem, we believe that retirement income planning should reflect your values—not just your balance sheet. That’s why we help clients design a custom strategy that:

  • Prioritizes peace of mind with consistent income for essential needs

  • Maximizes tax efficiency and Social Security timing

  • Supports lifestyle goals, giving, and legacy plans

  • Adapts to change, because retirement isn’t a one-time event—it’s a journey


If you’re thinking about how to turn your savings into a sustainable retirement paycheck, we’re here to help.
Contact us at bri@apriem.com for personalized guidance.