How much money you need to comfortably retire is one of the most misunderstood questions in retirement planning because there is no universal savings number. The answer depends more on spending and income structure than on account balances alone.
When money gets tight, even the best retirement plans can feel shaky. Rising healthcare costs, market volatility, and everyday inflation are forcing many Americans to make difficult tradeoffs, sometimes at the expense of their future financial well-being.
Financial stress is reshaping priorities for many households. A 2026 Allianz Life Study highlights just how widespread the challenge has become:
These numbers reveal an important reality: market performance alone can’t fix cash‑flow problems. If expenses continue to rise faster than income, even strong investment returns may feel irrelevant.
When clients consider tapping retirement accounts to cover current expenses, the conversation often starts with taxes and penalties. But those are only part of the picture. The bigger issue is opportunity cost—the long-term growth that money could have achieved if left untouched and allowed to compound on a tax‑deferred or tax‑free basis.
Taking money from retirement accounts early can feel like relief in the moment, but in many cases, it’s simply borrowing from the future. It may solve a short‑term problem, but it can permanently weaken long‑term plans.
That’s why we often urge clients to review spending choices by returning to a simple but powerful framework popularized by Dave Ramsey: needs versus wants.
Housing, basic transportation, and food are needs. Upgrading vehicles, expanding lifestyles, or carrying unnecessary debt often fall into the “want” category. Regaining control over spending is frequently more effective than sacrificing long‑term security.
One of the most damaging myths in retirement planning is the idea that everyone needs $1.8–$2 million to retire comfortably. This hypothetical example challenges this narrative:
One client with $2.7 million in retirement assets might not be able to retire because their spending was too high, while in another example, a couple with $450,000 may retire comfortably because of pension income and decisions on claiming Social Security covering most of their lifestyle.
The takeaway is simple: what you spend is just as important as what you’ve saved. Retirement success isn’t about hitting a universal number. It’s about aligning income, expenses, and expectations.
At Aul Financial Group, LLC, we believe that retirement planning should be personalized, not based on headlines or averages.
Retirement isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about decumulation, or how you turn savings into reliable income. Many investors are told they can simply withdraw 4–6% per year and be fine. This approach often ignores sequence‑of‑returns risk and income gaps.
A real plan starts by asking:
Strategies may include dividends, bonds, structured withdrawal strategies, or guaranteed income tools like annuities. While annuities can be misunderstood, we like to reframe them as personally funded pensions— providing income that can last a lifetime and, in many cases, continue for a spouse or pass remaining value to heirs.
At Aul Financial Group, LLC, we focus on giving clients options, investment‑based and insurance‑based, and help them choose what approach best fits their goals and comfort level.
Market headlines and political shifts can feel overwhelming, but they’re nothing new. Over decades, administrations change, policies shift, and markets adapt. Rather than reacting emotionally, successful retirement planning focuses on controlling decisions.
Healthcare is one of the most significant. Choosing between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans is one example where the “cheapest” option upfront may carry higher long‑term risk. Evaluating these choices as part of a broader financial plan helps avoid surprises later.
Retirement confidence doesn’t come from chasing headlines or hitting arbitrary savings targets. It comes from understanding your spending, planning income intentionally, and preparing for life’s uncertainties.
If you’re asking, “When can I retire?” or “Will I run out of money?”—those questions deserve real answers. That’s why at Aul Financial Group, LLC, we offer a complimentary, comprehensive retirement plan designed to replace guesswork with clarity.
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Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Aul Financial Group, LLC. Aul Financial Group, LLC is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (IPW), a Registered Investment Adviser. IPW does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Aul Financial Group, LLC are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. 5346101-03/26
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Whether you’re a client or new to us, we’re here to help!
If you have questions or want to learn more, schedule a quick 15-minute call with a member of our team by clicking here.
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Links to third-party websites are for general information purposes only and do not constitute any offer or solicitation to buy or sell any services or products of any kind. The other parties are responsible for the content on their website(s). You are encouraged to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies on the specific site you are entering. They are not intended and should not be relied upon as investment, insurance, financial, tax, or legal advice.
Steven Aul is an independent financial professional with decades of experience helping individuals navigate retirement and financial planning. A Ball State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, he is the host of The Aul Financial Hour – Your Money Matters on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM and has contributed to publications including CNN Money, Forbes, and Fortune, while also leading financial workshops throughout the St. Louis area.
Steve believes in full transparency in his practice and designations.
The CLU® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission. The ChFC® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission.
The RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional®) designation is sought by financial services sales professionals whose focus includes clients planning for their retirement income. The designation’s required curriculum is administered by The American College in Bryn Mawr PA, which is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA 19104 The mark RICP® is the property of The American College and may be used only by individuals who have successfully completed the initial and ongoing certification requirements for this designation.
How much is your 401(k) really worth after taxes? Strong market performance often leads to headlines celebrating the growing number of “401(k) millionaires.” While those numbers may look impressive, they can create a false sense of security. A 401(k) balance is not the same as spendable retirement income, and taxes are the primary reason why.
For retirees, the more important question is not how much appears on an account statement, but how much of that money will actually be available to spend after taxes. That difference can significantly affect retirement confidence and long‑term financial security.
A 401(k) balance does not represent spendable income because withdrawals from traditional accounts are taxed as ordinary income, which reduces what retirees can actually use.
Traditional 401(k)s and IRAs are funded with pre‑tax dollars, grow tax‑deferred, and are taxed when withdrawn. In retirement, several income sources often stack together, including:
When these income sources combine, taxable income can rise higher than many retirees expect.
According to the IRS 2025 federal income tax brackets, many retirees fall into marginal brackets between 22% and 32%, before accounting for any applicable state taxes.
For many households, it is reasonable to expect that approximately 25% to 30% of traditional retirement withdrawals may go toward taxes over time. As a result, spending one dollar from a 401(k) may require withdrawing considerably more than one dollar.
Yes. Where retirement savings are held directly affects how much income remains after taxes, especially once withdrawals begin.
Many employer plans now offer Roth 401(k) options, for which current rules include:
(IRS Publication 590‑B, revised 2025: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b)
For individuals with large pre‑tax balances, Roth conversions may reduce future tax pressure by lowering future RMD amounts and creating more tax‑flexible income later in retirement.
Retirement taxes tend to have a meaningful impact once IRA and 401(k) balances grow large enough to trigger additional tax consequences.
This often occurs when combined tax‑deferred balances exceed:
At higher balances, retirees may experience:
In addition, under current law, most non‑spouse beneficiaries must withdraw inherited retirement accounts within 10 years. These withdrawals often occur during peak earning years, which can significantly increase taxes (IRS SECURE Act guidance, 2025).
The 4% rule is a guideline, not an income plan. It does not account for taxes, changing spending needs, or how retirees replace a paycheck.
While the rule has been widely discussed for decades, it was never designed to create predictable, real‑world income. Retirement planning is not simply about portfolio longevity. It is about creating reliable, sustainable cash flow that adjusts over time.
The best time to take Social Security depends on longevity, marital status, and available assets. This makes it an optimization decision rather than a simple age‑based choice.
Key Social Security Facts from the Social Security Administration:
According to the CDC’s most recent provisional data (2025), many Americans continue to live well into their late 70s and 80s. This makes longevity planning an important factor in claiming decisions. For married couples, delaying the higher earner’s benefit can significantly increase survivor income later in life.
Retirees should evaluate a 401(k) based on outcomes rather than balances, including:
At Aul Financial Group, LLC, retirement planning focuses on aligning tax strategy, income planning, and timing decisions so savings support both lifestyle goals and long‑term confidence. The true value of a 401(k) is measured in sustainable income, not headline numbers.
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Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Aul Financial Group, LLC. Aul Financial Group, LLC is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (IPW), a Registered Investment Adviser. IPW does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Aul Financial Group, LLC are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions. 5340134-04/26
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Whether you’re a client or new to us, we’re here to help!
If you have questions or want to learn more, schedule a quick 15-minute call with a member of our team by clicking here.
…
Links to third-party websites are for general information purposes only and do not constitute any offer or solicitation to buy or sell any services or products of any kind. The other parties are responsible for the content on their website(s). You are encouraged to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies on the specific site you are entering. They are not intended and should not be relied upon as investment, insurance, financial, tax, or legal advice.
Steven Aul is an independent financial professional with decades of experience helping individuals navigate retirement and financial planning. A Ball State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, he is the host of The Aul Financial Hour – Your Money Matters on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM and has contributed to publications including CNN Money, Forbes, and Fortune, while also leading financial workshops throughout the St. Louis area.
Steve believes in full transparency in his practice and designations.
The CLU® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission. The ChFC® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission.
The RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional®) designation is sought by financial services sales professionals whose focus includes clients planning for their retirement income. The designation’s required curriculum is administered by The American College in Bryn Mawr PA, which is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA 19104 The mark RICP® is the property of The American College and may be used only by individuals who have successfully completed the initial and ongoing certification requirements for this designation.
Any media logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by those owners of Aul Financial Group, LLC is stated or implied. The Aul Financial Hour is a paid placement.