The Best Retirement & Tax Planning Strategies for Bentonville, Arkansas Residents

Key Takeaways

• The best retirement plan isn’t about chasing the hottest investment—it’s about keeping more of what you’ve earned through smart tax and income planning.

• Revolutionary Wealth is an independent Bentonville-focused advisory firm specializing in pre-retirees and retirees (ages 59–67) and business owners earning over $500,000 annually.

• The firm’s planning centers on reducing lifetime taxes: Social Security timing, RMD strategy, Roth conversions, and tax-efficient income sequencing.

• Advanced planning tools—retirement income modeling, tax projection software, and estate mapping—help clients see the “before and after” impact of every major decision.

• The free 2-minuteRetirement Efficiency Scorecardevaluates where you stand across retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, and risk management. The rest of this article explains each area in detail.

What “Best” Really Means for Your Bentonville Retirement

Open any dictionary and you’ll find “best” defined as the superlative adjective—top quality, highest performance, superior to all others. But when you’re planning retirement in Bentonville during the 2026–2036 window, that definition needs rewriting. In addition to being an adjective, 'best' can also function as a noun, adverb, and even as part of a verb phrase (such as 'had best'), highlighting its grammatical versatility and use in different parts of speech.

In retirement, “best” is about reliability, tax efficiency, and peace of mind. It’s not about which portfolio had the highest recent performance or which financial products are trending on the Wall Street Journal this week. It’s about whether your money lasts, your taxes stay low, and your life unfolds the way you want.

Consider the local context. Northwest Arkansas has a cost of living at roughly 86.7% of the national average, making your retirement dollars stretch further than they would in Dallas or Denver. Bentonville’s origins as a town are deeply rooted in its history, including its early days as hunting grounds for the Osage Nation, which adds to its unique community identity. Many residents work for or supply Walmart, meaning portfolios often hold concentrated company stock or RSUs that create real tax complications. And if you’ve watched the market cycles from 2020 through 2024—sharp drops, sharp recoveries, inflation spikes—you know that chasing “best performance” is a fool’s errand.

Revolutionary Wealth defines the best financial plan as one that accomplishes four things:

• Funds your chosen lifestyle without constant worry

• Minimizes unnecessary taxes across your retirement decades

• Protects against big risks like longevity, healthcare costs, and market crashes

• Supports your legacy goals for children, grandchildren, or causes you care about

To achieve the best outcomes, it’s essential to choose an advisor with demonstrated competency and membership in reputable organizations, ensuring your plan is built on expertise and ethical standards.

This article is written fromRevolutionary Wealth’s perspective as a B2C financial advisory firmserving Bentonville-area households and business owners. Our goal is to show you what “best” actually looks like when retirement planning meets real life in this city.

Why Tax Planning Is Often the Best Way to Improve Your Retirement

For many Bentonville retirees, the largest bill in retirement isn’t groceries, travel, or even healthcare. It’s lifetime taxes.

Federal income taxes combined with Arkansas’s 4.9% flat state income tax can consume a significant portion of retirement savings. And unlike your grocery bill, taxes are something you can actually plan around—if you start early enough.

Here are the tax pain points that catch most retirees off guard:

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)begin at age 73 under current law. If you’ve spent decades accumulating money in a traditional 401(k) or IRA, the IRS eventually forces you to withdraw it—and pay taxes on every dollar. These mandatory withdrawals often push retirees into higher brackets than they expected.

Taxable Social Security benefitssurprise many people. Depending on your total income, up to 85% of your Social Security can be taxed at the federal level. Strategic timing of when you claim benefits matters enormously.

Concentrated employer stockcreates capital gains landmines. A 30-year Walmart career might leave you with a portfolio that’s 25% or more in company stock. Selling it all at once in a single year creates a massive tax bill.

Portfolios often include stocks and bonds, which require careful management for tax efficiency. Managing these assets as part of your overall investment strategy can help minimize unnecessary tax complications.

Revolutionary Wealth focuses on multi-year tax strategy—planning from roughly age 59 through 72 to smooth taxes before RMDs kick in and before potential widow or widower filing status changes complicate the picture further.

The tools we use include:

• Tax projection software that models your situation across 10, 20, even 30 years

• Roth conversion analysis to identify optimal conversion windows

• Social Security optimization modeling to coordinate claiming with other income

• Withdrawal sequencing strategies that pull from IRAs, 401(k)s, taxable accounts, and annuities in the right order

Tax-loss harvesting can be an effective strategy to offset capital gains in retirement, helping you keep more of your investment returns.

Consider a practical scenario: A 62-year-old Walmart manager in Bentonville plans to retire at 65. She has $1.2 million in a traditional 401(k), $150,000 in company stock, and a pension. Should she claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70? Should she convert part of her 401(k) to Roth during the “gap years” between retirement and RMDs? Retirees may realize that their current strategy no longer fits their needs and should consider adjusting their plan. The answers depend on her full financial picture—and the stakes are measured in tens of thousands of dollars.

Best Strategies to Reduce Taxes in Retirement

This is the practical heart of the article: specific, concrete tax reduction strategies Revolutionary Wealth commonly uses with Bentonville retirees. These aren’t theoretical ideas from a research paper. They’re tactics we implement regularly.

Before diving in, it’s important to note that financial advisor fees vary widely and can include a percentage of assets under management, flat fees, hourly rates, or commissions. Most personal financial advisors work in the finance and insurance industry or are self-employed, and employment in this job is projected to grow 10 percent from 2024 to 2034, with many openings resulting from retirements.

When searching for the best advisor to help with your tax strategy, consider using associations and online search tools to locate professionals based on credentials, experience, or even location. These associations maintain directories that make it easier to find a qualified expert who fits your needs, and learningmore about our personalized financial planning approachcan further clarify whether an advisor’s philosophy aligns with your goals.

Compensation structures for advisors can also vary. Some clients may prefer a flat fee arrangement, while others may choose advisors who charge based on a percentage of assets or receive a salary. Understanding these options can help you select the best fit for your financial planning needs.

Timing Social Security Benefits

When you claim Social Security directly affects your tax situation for decades. Here’s how the timing interacts with other income:

Claiming at 62gives you benefits sooner but at a permanently reduced amount—about 70% of your full retirement age benefit. If you’re still working or have significant IRA withdrawals planned, adding Social Security income can push you into higher brackets and trigger more taxation of those benefits.

Claiming at 67(full retirement age for most Bentonville retirees born after 1960) provides your full benefit. This often works well if you can bridge the gap with strategic IRA withdrawals during ages 62–66.

Claiming at 70maximizes your monthly benefit—about 124% of your full retirement age amount. For married couples, this strategy often makes sense for the higher earner, ensuring the surviving spouse receives the larger benefit.

The best choice depends on your other income sources, your health, and your spouse’s situation. There’s no universal answer.

Roth Conversion Windows

The years between retirement and age 73 (when RMDs begin) represent a prime opportunity for Roth conversions. We call these the “gap years.”

During this window, many retirees find themselves in lower tax brackets than they’ll face once RMDs force large withdrawals. Converting portions of a traditional IRA to a Roth during these years means:

• Paying taxes now at lower rates

• Future growth in the Roth is completely tax-free

• RMDs from the traditional accounts are reduced

• Heirs inherit tax-free money instead of taxable accounts

For example, someone retiring at 63 might convert $80,000 per year for five years, staying within the 22% federal bracket. Without conversions, their RMDs starting at 73 might push them into the 32% bracket—a difference that compounds over two decades.

Coordinating RMDs and Annuities

Fixed indexed annuities and other guaranteed income products can be structured to control taxable income. By timing annuity payouts strategically, you can:

• Fill lower tax brackets with guaranteed income

• Reduce pressure on portfolio withdrawals

• Smooth out year-to-year income fluctuations

The sequencing of withdrawals—when you pull from taxable accounts versus tax-deferred versus tax-free—makes a measurable difference. Taking from the wrong bucket in the wrong year can cost thousands in unnecessary taxes.

Strategies for Business Owners and High Earners

Bentonville residents earning $500,000 or more annually—often business owners or executives—have additional tools available:

Defined benefit and cash balance plansallow contributions far exceeding traditional 401(k) limits, sometimes $200,000 or more per year. These contributions reduce current taxable income dramatically.

Strategic charitable givingaround a business sale or equity event can offset large one-time income. Donor-advised funds let you bunch multiple years of giving into a single year, maximizing the deduction when your income is highest.

Opportunity zone investmentsin local Bentonville developments can defer and potentially reduce capital gains from stock sales or business exits.

A Practical Example

Consider a Bentonville business owner planning to retire in 2026. Her accountant projects a $350,000 income in her final working year, putting her in the 35% federal bracket. Using a combination of:

• Maximum cash balance plan contributions ($180,000)

• Donor-advised fund contribution ($50,000)

• Strategic bonus timing

She reduces her 2026 taxable income by over $200,000, saving approximately $70,000 in federal taxes alone. Those savings fund the first two years of her retirement income.

This kind of planning requires coordination across tax returns, retirement accounts, and business structures—exactly what Revolutionary Wealth delivers.

Health and Wellness in Retirement

Health and wellness are foundational to a rewarding retirement, and they deserve a central place in any comprehensive financial plan. Personal financial advisors at Revolutionary Wealth understand that enjoying life after work means more than just having enough money—it’s about having the resources to stay active, healthy, and engaged in the Bentonville community, supported bylifestyle-focused financial planning guidancethat connects money decisions to daily life.

A thoughtful financial plan can help clients access quality healthcare, participate in fitness programs, and enjoy social activities that keep both body and mind sharp. Advisors work closely with clients to anticipate healthcare costs, from routine checkups to unexpected medical events, and to navigate options like Medicare and supplemental insurance. Planning ahead also means considering memberships at local gyms, classes at Bentonville parks, or wellness programs offered throughout Northwest Arkansas, and many clients benefit fromshort educational videos on retirement and financial wellnessas they explore these choices.

By integrating health and wellness goals into your financial plan, you can confidently pursue the lifestyle you envision—whether that’s hiking the trails near Crystal Bridges, joining community events downtown, or simply having peace of mind about future medical needs. Revolutionary Wealth’s advisors are here to ensure your retirement supports not just your financial future, but your overall well-being and quality of life.

Long-Term Care and Elder Law

As retirement progresses, planning for long-term care and understanding elder law become increasingly important. Financial advisors at Revolutionary Wealth help clients prepare for the potential risks associated with aging, ensuring that your financial plan addresses not only your current needs but also the challenges that may arise later in life.

Navigating long-term care options—such as assisted living, nursing homes, or in-home care—can be complex and emotionally charged. Advisors work with clients to evaluate the costs, benefits, and coverage options, including long-term care insurance, so you can make informed decisions that protect your interests and preserve your assets. Collaborating with elder law attorneys, we help ensure your estate planning documents, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives are up to date and aligned with your wishes.

By proactively addressing long-term care and elder law concerns, you can safeguard your independence, minimize potential risks, and provide peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones. Revolutionary Wealth’s advisors are committed to helping you plan for every stage of retirement, so you can focus on enjoying life in Bentonville and beyond.

How Revolutionary Wealth Builds the Best Retirement Plan for Bentonville Residents

Revolutionary Wealth is an independent financial advisory firm managing over $100 million directly and advising on over $500 million each year. Our clients are primarily pre-retirees, retirees, and business owners in and around Bentonville.

What sets us apart from large national firms is our planning-first approach. Taxes, retirement income, estate planning, and risk management are integrated into a single coordinated plan—not sold as separate products by different departments, as is common in larger organizations.

Many of our clients live or work in Bentonville and the broader Northwest Arkansas metro. They include Walmart and supplier employees, local entrepreneurs, and professionals who’ve built their careers in this region. We understand the local area because we serve it every day from our offices in Bentonville, and we also serve clients virtually through our secure site.

Revolutionary Wealth is part of the Lion Street network, which gives us access to advanced planning resources and institutional-level strategies typically reserved for much larger firms. As a member of respected professional associations, we are an organization committed to maintaining the highest standards in financial planning, supported byan experienced, client-focused advisory team. But we remain a boutique, relationship-based company where clients work directly with their advisors—not call centers.

A significant part of our practice focuses on education and mindset. Many of our potential clients are single, divorced, or widowed women who want clarity and confidence in their financial decisions, and we support that witha comprehensive financial education resource center. We believe everyone deserves to understand their own finances, not just trust blindly.

Our Advanced Planning Tools and Process

The tools we use separate serious planning from guesswork. In addition to our in-house software, clients can leveragefinancial calculators, glossaries, and tax resourcesto deepen their understanding. Here’s what our process looks like:

Retirement cash-flow modelingprojects your spending, income sources, taxes, and portfolio values across 20–30 years. We stress-test these projections against market downturns, inflation spikes, and healthcare cost increases.

Tax scenario softwarecompares multiple strategies side by side. Want to see the difference between converting $50,000 versus $100,000 to Roth this year? We show you the impact on taxes not just this year, but through age 95.

Social Security optimization modelingevaluates dozens of claiming combinations for married couples. The difference between the best and worst strategies can exceed $100,000 over a lifetime.

Estate diagramming toolsmap how assets flow to heirs under your current plan—and highlight gaps or inefficiencies.

The typical client journey looks like this:

1. Discovery meeting– We learn about your life, goals, concerns, and current situation

2. Data gathering– We collect statements, tax returns, and insurance policies

3. Base-case projection– We build your retirement model showing income, spending, and taxes under current assumptions

4. Strategy layering– We add tax strategies (Roth conversions, withdrawal sequencing, RMD planning) and show the improvement

5. Stress testing– We model market crashes, high inflation, and extended longevity to verify the plan holds up

Clients see “before vs. after” visualizations on screen: graphs of projected account balances, tax bills by year, and probability of plan success under different market conditions.

Bentonville-specific elements get incorporated naturally. We factor in local property taxes (averaging around $2,800 annually), housing costs based on Bentonville’s median home values, travel expectations for families flying out of Northwest Arkansas National Airport, and even potential part-time work with local employers.

Meetings can be in-person in Northwest Arkansas or virtual—all using the same advanced planning dashboards and secure document portals.

Best Practices for Business Owners in Bentonville Planning an Exit

Many Bentonville-area residents own small to mid-sized businesses that support Walmart or serve the broader regional economy. For these business owners, the exit—whether through sale, succession, or shutdown—is often the largest financial event of their life.

Getting it right requires coordinating personal and business planning. The timing of a sale, the structure of payouts, and the plan for managing the tax hit all affect retirement readiness.

Revolutionary Wealth works with business owners on:

Pre-sale planning– We coordinate with your CPA and attorney to assess entity structure and tax implications before a sale, not after. Sometimes small changes in timing or structure save six figures.

Retirement plan design– Defined benefit and cash balance plans can shelter significant income in the years leading up to a sale, reducing the peak-year tax impact.

Concentrated risk management– After a sale, you might receive a large lump sum or installment payments. We help determine how to invest these proceeds while managing potential risks and avoiding another concentration problem.

Staged payouts and charitable strategies– Spreading income across multiple years and using charitable vehicles can keep you in lower brackets.

Consider a Bentonville business owner planning to sell in 2028. The expected proceeds are $2.5 million. Using a combination of:

• Maximum cash balance plan contributions in 2026 and 2027

• Structured installment sale spreading proceeds across 2028–2031

• Donor-advised fund contribution in the year of sale

She reduces her highest-year taxable income from $1.8 million to under $700,000, dropping her marginal rate significantly. The savings fund a reliable retirement income stream without the shock of a single massive tax bill.

What makes a business exit plan truly “best” isn’t maximizing the sale price—it’s maximizing what you keep after taxes and positioning your finances for the next 25 years.

Creating the Best Legacy and Estate Plan for Your Family

For many Bentonville retirees, “best” doesn’t stop at their own lifetime. It includes how smoothly and tax-efficiently assets pass to children, grandchildren, or charities.

Estate planning basics include:

• Wills– Directing how assets are distributed

• Powers of attorney– Naming someone to handle finances if you’re incapacitated

• Healthcare directives– Specifying your medical wishes

• Beneficiary designations– Ensuring 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance go to the right people

Many people complete these documents once and forget them. But beneficiary designations override wills, and outdated documents create chaos.

Revolutionary Wealth coordinates with estate attorneys but focuses on the financial and tax side of legacy planning:

Reducing taxes on inherited retirement accounts– Under the SECURE Act, most non-spouse heirs must withdraw inherited IRA funds within 10 years. Strategic planning can minimize the tax impact on your children.

Aligning titling with the plan– How accounts are titled (joint, individual, trust) affects both probate and taxes. We ensure everything works together.

Planning for widows and widowers– When one spouse passes, the survivor moves from married filing jointly to single—a significant tax bracket change. RMDs and income streams need re-evaluation.

Our advanced planning tools can visually map family inheritance flows. You can see exactly how assets move to each beneficiary and stress-test whether the surviving spouse and future generations remain well-provided-for under different market scenarios.

For families with strong ties to Crystal Bridges, local arts organizations, or community causes, charitable planning can create meaningful legacy gifts while reducing estate taxes.

Charitable Giving and Philanthropy

Charitable giving and philanthropy are powerful ways to leave a lasting legacy and strengthen the fabric of Northwest Arkansas. Financial advisors at Revolutionary Wealth work with clients to incorporate meaningful giving into their financial plan, ensuring that your generosity benefits both your favorite organizations and your overall financial goals.

Whether you’re passionate about supporting local arts at Crystal Bridges, funding educational initiatives, or contributing to community organizations in Bentonville, advisors can help you explore strategies like donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations. These tools not only maximize the impact of your gifts but can also provide significant tax advantages, allowing you to support causes you care about while enhancing your financial efficiency.

In a region known for its vibrant culture and strong sense of community, charitable giving is more than a financial transaction—it’s a way to shape the future of Northwest Arkansas. Revolutionary Wealth’s advisors are here to help you design a philanthropic plan that reflects your values, supports local organizations, and fits seamlessly into your broader financial plan.

Northwest Arkansas Community

Northwest Arkansas is a region where natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunity come together to create an exceptional quality of life. Downtown Bentonville buzzes with energy, offering unique shops, acclaimed restaurants, and a welcoming atmosphere. The area’s parks and trails invite residents to enjoy the outdoors, while the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to culture and creativity.

As the economic engine of Arkansas, Bentonville is home to major businesses like Walmart and a thriving entrepreneurial scene. The region’s robust economy and growing population make it an attractive place for families, professionals, and retirees alike. Financial advisors at Revolutionary Wealth help clients navigate this dynamic environment, whether you’re investing in local real estate, starting a new business, or planning for a fulfilling retirement in the heart of Northwest Arkansas.

By understanding the unique opportunities and challenges of the local area, our advisors provide tailored financial planning services that help clients make the most of life in Bentonville. From leveraging the local economy to enjoying the region’s art, parks, and community spirit, Revolutionary Wealth is your partner in building a secure and rewarding financial future in Northwest Arkansas.

How to Decide if Revolutionary Wealth Is the Best Fit for You

Not every advisor is right for every retiree. Fit matters as much as expertise.

When evaluating advisors, use online sites and search tools—such as professional organization directories—to compare advisors based on their competency, credentials, and whether they are properly registered with regulatory bodies. It's critical to research an advisor's background by looking at their Form ADV on the SEC website, which provides details about their registration status, business practices, and any disciplinary history. Advisors with a fiduciary duty are required to work in your best interests, not their own. It's normal to meet with a few financial advisors before you decide who to hire. You can seek out financial help at any time, but it's especially important to get financial guidance for significant life changes.

Revolutionary Wealth may be a strong fit if:

• You are 59–67 and preparing to retire within the next decade

• You live in or near Bentonville or Northwest Arkansas

• You have significant retirement accounts and care about minimizing taxes

• You want ongoing planning, not one-time securities sales

• You’re a business owner who needs integrated personal and business financial planning services

Our approach differs from large national firms in several ways:

If you’re interviewing multiple financial advisors—which we encourage—ask each one specifically:

• How will you reduce my lifetime taxes?

• How do you coordinate RMDs with other income?

• How do you model worst-case market scenarios?

Any advisor who jumps straight to investments without addressing these questions may not be delivering comprehensive planning.

Next Step: YourFree 2-Minute Retirement Efficiency Scorecard

The Retirement Efficiency Scorecard is a short online questionnaire that helps Bentonville-area retirees quickly gauge their standing in four key areas:

1. Retirement income planning– Is your money likely to last?

2. Tax planning– Are you minimizing lifetime taxes?

3. Estate planning– Will assets transfer smoothly to heirs?

4. Risk management– Are you protected against major threats?

The Scorecard doesn’t require detailed account numbers. It asks about your ages, retirement timing, current planning documents, and high-level savings and income sources. It takes about 2 minutes.

After completion, Revolutionary Wealth provides a simple summary indicating your strengths, potential gaps, and whether more detailed planning could improve your tax efficiency and retirement security.

Take the free 2-minute Retirement Efficiency Scorecard** now** to see where you stand and whether you’re on track to keep more of what you’ve earned.

If the Scorecard reveals opportunities to lower taxes, improve income reliability, or strengthen your legacy plan, schedule a follow-up conversation. There’s no obligation—just clarity about your financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQs address common questions Bentonville retirees have that weren’t fully covered above. Each answer focuses on real-world concerns and practical next steps.

Do I need a certain amount of savings to work with Revolutionary Wealth?

Many of our clients have several hundred thousand dollars or more saved—often in 401(k)s, IRAs, or from business proceeds. But the more important factor is whether you’re serious about planning and tax efficiency.

Pre-retirees with meaningful balances and complex tax questions tend to benefit most from our services. If you’re unsure about fit, the Scorecard and an introductory conversation can clarify quickly. We discuss any specific minimums transparently up front so there are no surprises.

Can you work with me if I’m still employed at Walmart or a local supplier and not retiring until after 2030?

Absolutely. Revolutionary Wealth often begins planning 5–10 years before retirement, especially for Walmart and supplier employees whose compensation includes stock, RSUs, or bonuses.

Early planning allows for better tax strategy—like Roth conversions during lower-income years—and smarter use of retirement plans. It also helps coordinate equity compensation with future income needs so you don’t end up with a concentrated portfolio and a tax headache.

The Scorecard is still a useful first step even if retirement is several years away. Knowing where you stand now makes future planning easier.

How does Revolutionary Wealth coordinate with my CPA and attorney?

We don’t replace your CPA or attorney—we collaborate with them. Our role is ensuring your tax returns and legal documents align with your overall financial plan.

This often means participating in joint meetings, sharing our projections, and helping translate tax-planning ideas into actionable steps your CPA can implement. This team-based approach is especially important around retirement, RMDs, and business exits when multiple professionals need to work together.

If you don’t have a CPA or attorney, we can provide referrals to trusted professionals in the Bentonville area.

What risks do you help manage besides market ups and downs?

Market volatility is just one risk. We address several others:

• Longevity risk– Outliving your savings (there’s roughly a 35% chance of living past 95)

• Inflation risk– Purchasing power erosion over 25–30 years

• Healthcare and long-term care costs– Potentially $120,000+ per year for extended care

• Tax law changes– Potential rate increases if current laws sunset

• Spousal death– The financial impact of losing a partner, including tax bracket changes

Our planning includes stress-testing your portfolio, evaluating insurance and annuity options, and modeling conservative spending paths. The goal is building a plan that works not only if markets cooperate, but also if the next 10–15 years resemble tougher periods like 2000–2002 or 2008–2009.

Is the Retirement Efficiency Scorecard really free, and what happens after I complete it?

Yes, the Scorecard is completely free. It takes about 2 minutes and does not obligate you to become a client.

After completing it, you receive a simple, easy-to-understand overview of where you stand in retirement income, taxes, estate planning, and risk management. You can then choose to schedule a conversation with Revolutionary Wealth to discuss the results in detail—or simply use the Scorecard as a starting point for your own research.

There’s no pressure and no sales pitch. Just additional information about where you might improve your planning.

Disclosures:

This blog contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this blog will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Revolutionary Wealth LLC does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration, Medicare or any other government agency.

Maximizing your Social Security Benefits assumes foreknowledge of your date of death. If as an example you wait to claim a higher monthly benefit amount but predecease your average life expectancy, it would have been better to claim your benefits at an earlier age with reduced benefits.

Converting an employer plan account or Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event. Increased taxable income from the Roth IRA conversion may have several consequences including but not limited to, a need for additional tax withholding or estimated tax payments, the loss of certain tax deductions and credits, and higher taxes on Social Security benefits and higher Medicare premiums. Be sure to consult with a qualified tax advisor before making any decisions regarding your IRA.

Fixed Annuities are long term insurance contracts and there is a surrender charge imposed generally during the first 5 to 7 years that you own the annuity contract. Indexed annuities are insurance contracts that, depending on the contract, may offer a guaranteed annual interest rate and some participation growth, if any, of a stock market index. Such contracts have substantial variation in terms, costs of guarantees and features and may cap participation or returns in significant ways. Investors are cautioned to carefully review an indexed annuity for its features, costs, risks, and how the variables are calculated. Any guarantees offered are backed by the financial strength of the insurance company. Surrender charges apply if not held to the end of the term. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken prior to 59 ½, a 10% federal tax penalty.

The projections or other information generated by Monte Carlo analysis tools regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, are based on assumptions that you provide which could prove to be inaccurate over time, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. Results may vary with each use and over time.