When Can I Realistically Retire?

The ability to retire comfortably depends largely on how well your major retirement expenses and income sources are understood and planned for. For most retirees, the three largest expense categories are housing, healthcare, and taxes.

Housing

• Are you mortgage-free, or will payments continue into retirement?

• Do you plan to downsize or relocate, and how would that affect your cost of living?

• What are your ongoing property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs?

Healthcare

• What will you pay for Medicare premiums, including Part B, IRMAA surcharges, supplemental coverage, and prescription plans?

• Medicare Part B premiums have historically increased by 5–10% over time.

• What level of out-of-pocket healthcare costs should be expected?

• Have you considered long-term care risks and how they may be funded?

Taxes

• Tax-deferred retirement accounts create future tax liabilities.

• Proper withdrawal sequencing can significantly affect how long your assets last.

• How will Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) impact your tax bracket?

• Social Security taxation and IRMAA thresholds require proactive planning.

Beyond these core areas, it is also important to account for other anticipated expenses, lifestyle goals, and discretionary spending, as well as all sources of retirement income.

By stress-testing your retirement plan against real-world risks—market volatility, longevity, and rising healthcare costs—we help you determine whether retirement is financially sustainable and identify specific actions that can strengthen your plan. A professional review can turn uncertainty into a clear path forward.