Retirement Planning
A retirement income strategy built around your life — not a generic formula.
Schulmerich & Associates is a fee-only, fiduciary RIA based in Longboat Key, FL. We help individuals and families approaching or in retirement build sustainable income, protect their assets, and make confident decisions about Social Security, distributions, and legacy.
Fee-only
No commissions, ever
$250,000
Account minimum
Since 1971
Serving clients for 55+ years
What we address
The questions that matter most as you approach retirement
Retirement planning is not a single calculation — it is an ongoing process of aligning your assets, income sources, tax situation, and goals. We work through every dimension with you using RightCapital, our interactive financial planning software.
- Will my money last through retirement?
- When is the right time to claim Social Security?
- How do I create reliable monthly income from my portfolio?
- What is my exposure to sequence-of-returns risk?
- How should I sequence withdrawals across taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts?
- How do required minimum distributions (RMDs) affect my tax picture?
- What role should a 1031 exchange or DST play in my retirement income?
- How do I protect my spouse and pass assets to the next generation?
Retirement income planning
We build a distribution strategy that coordinates your portfolio withdrawals, Social Security, pension income, and any real estate cash flow to meet your spending needs while preserving capital.
Social Security optimization
We model multiple claiming ages and spousal strategies in RightCapital so you can see the lifetime value of each option before you decide.
Tax-efficient withdrawals
Sequencing withdrawals from taxable, traditional IRA/401(k), and Roth accounts in the right order can meaningfully reduce your lifetime tax burden. We build this into your plan from day one.
RMD and legacy planning
Required minimum distributions affect both your taxes and your estate. We incorporate RMD timing, qualified charitable distributions, and beneficiary designations into your overall strategy.
Portfolio risk management
We manage your investments with a focus on capital preservation and income generation appropriate to your stage of life, including a cash-reserve buffer to reduce sequence-of-returns risk.
Who we serve
Clients within 10 years of retirement — or already there
Our clients typically have $250,000 or more in investable assets and are focused on making the transition from accumulation to distribution as smooth and tax-efficient as possible.
Pre-retirees (ages 55–65)
You are in the final accumulation phase and want a clear roadmap: when to retire, how much you need, and how to position your portfolio for the transition.
Recent retirees
You have left the workforce and need a sustainable withdrawal strategy, Social Security coordination, and ongoing portfolio management to make your assets last.
Retirees with real estate
You hold appreciated investment property and want to explore 1031 exchanges or Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) as a way to defer taxes and generate passive income.
Common questions
Retirement planning FAQ
How much money do I need to retire?+
The right number depends on your spending needs, other income sources (Social Security, pension), health-care costs, and how long you may live. A common starting point is 25× your annual spending (the "4% rule"), but we build a personalized projection in RightCapital that accounts for your specific situation, tax bracket, and goals.
When should I claim Social Security?+
Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit permanently; waiting until 70 maximizes it. The optimal age depends on your health, other income, spousal benefits, and tax situation. We model multiple claiming scenarios in your financial plan so you can see the long-term impact of each choice.
What is sequence-of-returns risk and how do you manage it?+
Sequence-of-returns risk is the danger that a market downturn early in retirement — when you are drawing down assets — can permanently impair your portfolio even if long-term returns recover. We address it through asset allocation, a cash-reserve buffer, and a disciplined withdrawal strategy designed to avoid selling equities at depressed prices.
How do you charge for retirement planning?+
We are a fee-only, fiduciary RIA. Our advisory fee starts at 1.00% of assets under management annually, with no commissions or product sales. The minimum account size is $250,000. Financial planning using RightCapital is included for every advisory client.
Do you help with required minimum distributions (RMDs)?+
Yes. We incorporate RMD planning into every retirement income strategy, including timing, tax-efficient distribution sequencing, and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) for clients who are charitably inclined.
Are you a fiduciary?+
Yes. As a registered investment advisor (RIA), we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times. We are fee-only, which means we earn no commissions and have no financial incentive to recommend any particular product.
Ready to build your retirement income plan?
Schedule a complimentary consultation. We will review your current situation, answer your questions, and explain exactly how we can help — with no obligation.
Schedule a free consultationMinimum account size $250,000 · Fee-only · Fiduciary · CFP® · AIF®