The question “where should you retire?” goes far beyond sunshine and scenery. It’s a financial decision that can impact your lifestyle, taxes, healthcare access, and long‑term security for decades. The real question isn’t just where you’ll live, it’s how that location fits into a well‑designed retirement plan that accounts for income, protection, and future care needs.
Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best places to retire based on quality of life, senior population, tax rates, healthcare quality, and overall value. Their latest 2026 rankings include:
(Source: U.S. News & World Report – Best Places to Retire, https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-retire)
While rankings make great headlines, retirement decisions rarely come down to a list. Even within the same city, the cost of living can vary dramatically by neighborhood.
One practical idea to keep in mind is: rent before you buy. Renting offers flexibility if family needs change or priorities shift. It allows you to experience daily life, understand true costs, and confirm the location fits your lifestyle without locking yourself into a long‑term commitment. This approach reflects the type of real-world planning conversations encouraged at Aul Financial Group, LLC, where flexibility matters more than rushing decisions.
When clients talk about relocating in retirement, the first question isn’t where—it’s how will this affect the plan? This question opens the door to deeper conversations, including:
Retirement planning isn’t static. A move can create new opportunities, but it can also introduce risks if income and expenses aren’t aligned. The goal is to ensure lifestyle choices support long‑term financial stability, not unintentionally strain it.
Annuities often get a bad reputation, largely due to misunderstanding. In reality, “annuity” is an umbrella term, and different types serve very different purposes:
The real question isn’t should I have an annuity? —it’s why. If Social Security and pensions already cover expenses, additional guaranteed income may be unnecessary. But if there’s a monthly gap, an annuity can act as a personally funded pension, helping reduce uncertainty. They aren’t right for everyone, which is why Aul Financial Group, LLC offers an “annuity x‑ray” to help evaluate whether an existing annuity aligns with current goals.
Long‑term care planning is a core focus of what we do at Aul Financial Group, LLC because it is one of the most emotional—and expensive—risks in retirement. Actor Seth Rogen highlighted this reality in his documentary Taking Care, sharing his family’s experience caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. He noted that quality 24‑hour in‑home care can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, placing immense strain on families without a plan.
Long‑term care planning isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. Traditional long‑term care insurance can be costly and often “use it or lose it.” Today, alternatives may include:
These strategies aim to help protect both assets and loved ones while providing flexibility if care is needed later in life.
Several persistent myths continue to derail otherwise solid retirement plans:
At Aul Financial Group, LLC, we often recommend a tax analysis to determine whether too much wealth is concentrated in IRAs or 401(k)s and what that could mean long term.
Retirement planning is about finding clarity, flexibility, and protecting the people you care about. Whether you’re considering a move, evaluating annuities, or planning for long‑term care, the right plan starts with understanding your options—and avoiding assumptions.
Retirement isn’t a destination; it’s a journey that deserves a thoughtful, flexible plan—and we’re here to help you create it.
…
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. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Variable annuities are sold by prospectus only. Investors should carefully review the prospectus and consult with a financial, tax, or legal professional before investing. 5340047-04/26
.
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.
De-risking for retirement after 50 becomes increasingly important as retirement gets closer and market recoveries have potentially less time to play out. Many people feel torn between continuing to grow their portfolio and protecting what they’ve already built.
The goal isn’t to become conservative overnight. It’s to right‑size risk, build dependable income, and help reduce future tax pressure so your plan stays steady, even when markets aren’t.
Many people begin adjusting risk sometime after 50—not because age alone dictates it, but because retirement timelines become clearer. A more effective approach considers three factors together:
One common mistake is chasing a specific account balance and taking more risk than necessary. A steadier principle is this: returns should be driven by need, not greed.
De‑risking doesn’t mean eliminating growth. It means building a foundation that can help reduce volatility as retirement nears.
Intent matters. Protecting principal is not the same as creating reliable retirement income and understanding trade-offs is essential. The tools you choose should match the outcome you’re trying to achieve.
After decades of saving, switching to spending can feel uncomfortable—even when the numbers suggest it’s safe. Retirement arrives, the paycheck stops, and the job shifts from accumulating wealth to spending it wisely.
This transition can feel uncomfortable, and even individuals with strong portfolios have common concerns about:
These fears can lead to unnecessary self-restriction—skipping travel, delaying life goals, or continuing to save out of habit rather than need. Often, the issue isn’t discipline, it’s uncertainty. When risks and income needs are clearly reviewed, many retirees feel more confident enjoying their money.
Confidence tends to rise once one question is clearly answered: “How will income show up each month after work stops?” Without a plan, retirees often default to taking withdrawals as needed, which can increase anxiety.
Common income strategies include:
No single strategy is right for everyone, but the principle remains consistent: clarity reduces fear.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can increase taxes because withdrawals are taxable—even if the money isn’t needed. Inherited retirement accounts may also need to be emptied within 10 years, potentially accelerating taxes for heirs.
Vanguard research from 2026 shows that most retirees wait until required minimum distributions begin, and nearly seven in ten withdraw only the minimum once RMDs start. An article by Morningstar warns that relying solely on RMDs can lead to larger taxable withdrawals later in retirement, creating avoidable tax and Medicare premium pressure
De‑risking after 50 isn’t about copying someone else’s strategy. It’s about aligning risk, income, and taxes so decisions feel intentional—not reactive.
A thoughtful approach to consider may include:
When these pieces align, retirement stops feeling uncertain and starts feeling purposeful. Aul Financial Group, LLC helps translate complexity into a coordinated roadmap—so your plan fits your life, not the other way around.
…
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. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. 5339943-04/26
.
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.
A question a lot of retirees ask us is how much they can safely withdraw from their accounts during their retirement years. It’s an important piece of information to know, but in recent years, this long-running bull market has caused some of us to become overly confident in our spending. In light of this global pandemic and some market volatility, now may be a good time to reestablish healthier spending habits and find a more conservative, sustainable withdrawal rate.
The key thing that you want to look at in terms of how you are doing is your portfolio spending rate. With portfolio balances enlarged, some retirees have gotten a bit loose on the spending front. They’ve seen their portfolios nicely growing and have been taking out a little bit more than they otherwise would.
This is an area where a financial advisor can be a great help in terms of putting a little bit of science around whatever withdrawals system you’re using. This is done through both software as well as a written plan to look at estimated expenses and the income that you’ll be generating.
What you’ll notice is that there’s a gap between your estimated expenses and projected income, so it’s important to fill that gap.
For example: You’re going to need $2,000 a month out of your retirement nest egg to meet living expenses. What we usually do at Aul Financial Group at our review meetings is ask how much you have in checking and savings. For this example, you say $25,000. Three months later, we get back together and you didn’t take any withdrawals from your account. I’m going to expect that you’re going to be $6,000 less than the extra $2,000 a month. Suddenly, you now have $22K instead of $25K. Are you really spending that $2,000 each month, or should we adjust your expenses?
Let’s also look at it this example from the opposite side. If you took $6,000 out of your portfolio, the $2,000 that we had planned — we went ahead and set up the deal to give you $2,000 a month, and we come back and you’ve got $20,000. Are we spending an extra $1,000-plus per month, or was this a one-time hit? I see people are shocked that when we put a plan together and it says your planned expenses are something like $6,500 per month. And then all of a sudden, we just raised it by $500. How much of a difference that makes in somebody’s plan because that $500 a month with future inflation can affect your retirement. Figuring out the right balance between saving and spending may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Aul Financial Group is here to help you make a custom financial strategy so you can enjoy your retirement years. Schedule a meeting with us today to learn how!
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.