Hunter W. Fuller

Most retirement planning conversations start and end with one number: how much you've saved.

But there are three specific ages that shape how and when you access that money, and the decisions around each one are connected in ways that aren't always obvious until you map them out.

In this video I walk through ages 59½, 62, and 70, what each one means, what's at stake, and why the order of these decisions matters as much as the decisions themselves.

The sequence of your returns in retirement can matter just as much as the returns themselves, and most people don't hear about this until it's too late to plan around it.

If you're approaching retirement, this is worth a few minutes of your time.

The Social Security timing decision is one of the most overlooked parts of retirement planning, and one of the most important.

If you haven't run through the numbers on when to claim, this is worth a few minutes of your time.

The decision to retire at 62 vs. 67 isn't just about five years of work, the financial ripple effects can follow you for decades.

Retiring earlier may mean claiming Social Security at a reduced benefit, drawing down savings sooner, and funding a longer retirement. Waiting can mean a higher Social Security payment, more time to save, and fewer years your money needs to stretch.

But the numbers are only part of the picture. Health, lifestyle, and what you actually want those years to look like matter too, and only you can weigh that side of the equation.

If you're thinking through what retirement timing looks like for your situation, I'd be happy to walk through it with you.

Market volatility gets a lot of attention, but for many retirees, taxes end up being the bigger threat to their plan.

If most of your savings are in tax-deferred accounts like a 401(k) or traditional IRA, withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Depending on your situation, that could affect your tax bracket, Medicare premiums, and how much of your Social Security is taxable.

Understanding where your money is and how it will be taxed when you need it is an important part of retirement planning.

If you'd like to look at how taxes might factor into your retirement picture and what options may be available to you now, I'd be happy to walk through it together.

Being too conservative in retirement can carry its own risks, and it's one that doesn't get talked about enough.

If inflation outpaces what your money is earning, your purchasing power shrinks over time. For a retirement that could last 25–30 years, that gap can add up significantly.

The goal isn't just protecting what you have, it's making sure it lasts as long as you need it to.

If you're unsure how to think about balancing protection and growth potential in retirement, I'd be happy to talk it through.

Most people don't start planning for retirement until they're almost there, but by then, the biggest decisions have already been made.

The choices you make 5–10 years out shape what's actually possible when the day arrives.

If you'd rather plan ahead than react to wherever you end up, I'd be happy to help you map it out.

Retirement feels far away at 50, so people put off the hard decisions.

They don't adjust their approach or stress test different scenarios. Then life changes at 58 or 59 and they're scrambling. Your 50s are when adjustments can still make a meaningful impact.

Haven't reviewed your plan lately? Let's sit down and look at it.

Retirement changes the rules of investing.

A strategy designed for accumulation may not work the same way during withdrawals, especially in down markets.

This video highlights why reviewing your income strategy matters as you approach or enter retirement.