Your Retirement Reality

Make the most of it.

We get it. Retirement means something different to everyone and requires more planning than it did for our parents. Let’s figure out what you’ll be doing in your second-half and find a way to make it a reality.

What does your next chapter look like when every day feels like Saturday?

Let’s think about the only retirement that matters – yours.

Choose the answers that best fit you.

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I plan to stay in the region where I live now.
SELECT

There are a lot of affordable locations for retirees that can help you to maintain your lifestyle.


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I plan to move somewhere new.
SELECT

Community and stability are important for people during life transitions.


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Are you getting a better sense of how your retirement is as unique as you are?

Keep reading to learn more.

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Whatever your vision, income is the common element to a confident future.

37%
of American workers have considered delaying retirement

The secret to confidenceFootnote*

  1. Living within your means
  2. Planning for income replacement in retirement
  3. Owning solutions that provide guaranteed income
  4. Working with a financial professional

Resources

How can you build income in retirement?

In our working lives, we know where our money is coming from. In later years, it’s not as simple. If you’re like most and not completely prepared, don’t fret. With the right plan in place, you can build a stream of income that can last for your full retirement.

Sources of guaranteed income

  • Social Security

    A federal program that provides benefits to the retired, as well as those who are unemployed or disabled.

  • Pensions

    An employer-paid retirement account with a set payout based on salary and years of service.

  • Bonds, CDs

    A debt security issued by a government or corporation. Generally considered to be lower risk. An insured bank deposit made for a specific period of time.

  • AnnuitiesFootnote**

    Contracts where an insurance company promises to make payments to an annuitant over a specified period of time or for life.

  • Whole life insuranceFootnote***

    Life insurance that pays a benefit on the death of the insured and also accumulates a cash value.

Sources of non-guaranteed income

  • Bank and investment accounts

    Accounts held at a financial facility for the purpose of long-term investments for capital preservation, growth, fixed income or for personal money management.

  • Individual retirement accounts (IRA)

    A type of investment or savings account that comes with tax benefits to help save for retirement.

  • Health savings accounts (HSA)

    A savings account used in conjunction with a high-deductible health insurance policy that allows tax-free saving against medical expenses.

  • Employer-sponsored 401(k), 457(b), 403(b)

    Retirement accounts sponsored by employers which allow employees to save and invest with pre-tax dollars until withdrawal. 457s are specific to government employees. 403s are specific to public school employees and employees of tax-exempt organizations.

DO YOU KNOW THE FORCES THAT CAN PUT YOUR
SAVINGS AT RISK?

Link to explain chart

A health event, inflation, or market fluctuations can impact your retirement savings. A steady source of monthly guaranteed income can help you from running out of money.

RISKS IN RETIREMENT

Inflation

Prices go up, which can eat away at your purchasing power over a decades-long retirement.

An older woman picking fresh vegetables from a market

MARKET FLUCTUATIONS

If the market moves down too much, you may need more time to recover. Diversifying can help protect your future you.

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SEQUENCE OF RETURNS

Finishing with confidence is just as important as beginning with confidence. The sequence of positive and negative annual returns, when you’re withdrawing and not adding, may impact how long your savings will last.

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INCOME GAP

What will you have available to spend? Your income in retirement may not meet your vision. This is the income gap risk.

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OUTLIVING YOUR SAVINGS

People are living longer and longer (and longer!). Even if you save and invest well, you can run out of cash in retirement without the proper plans in place.

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Cheers to Your Future!

As you discover more about your retirement reality, there are resources to empower you along the way.


View Resources

Make your future a reality

Speak with your financial professional about planning for your retirement.

You have a vision.
Now, make it a reality.

Disclosure

*The Guardian Study of Financial and Emotional Confidence, 2021.

**Annuity guarantees are backed exclusively by the strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

***While the primary purpose of life insurance is death benefit protection, it is important to understand the advantages that cash value accumulation can provide to clients, including supplemental income during retirement.


Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against market loss.

This material is intended for general public use. By providing this content, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and their affiliates and subsidiaries are not undertaking to provide advice or recommendations for any specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Please contact a financial representative for guidance and information that is specific to your individual situation.

2022-141237 Exp. 07/2024

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