Skip to content
Planning for retirement is more than just building a nest egg. It’s about making the right decisions at the right time to ensure your money lasts and works for you throughout your life.
But how do you know if your retirement advisor is truly preparing you for everything that lies ahead?
At Goldstone Financial Group, we believe smart retirement planning starts with asking the right questions. Whether you’re years from retiring or already enjoying your golden years, these five questions can help you evaluate your current advisor—or choose a new one who truly understands your goa
1. What’s Your Process for Creating a Comprehensive Retirement Plan?
If your advisor can’t walk you through a clear, step-by-step retirement planning process, that’s a red flag.
At Goldstone, we follow our Retirement Roadmap, a comprehensive approach that includes:
Income Planning
Investment Planning
Tax Strategies
Healthcare Planning
Legacy and Estate Planning
It’s not enough to look at your investments in isolation. Your financial life is interconnected—and your advisor should treat it that way. Ask for a plan that accounts for longevity, inflation, tax efficiency, and future healthcare costs—not just market returns.
2. How Will I Create Reliable Income in Retirement?
One of the biggest shifts when you retire is moving from earning a paycheck to drawing income from your savings. That transition can be tricky—and risky—without a strategy.
Ask your advisor:
Will my income be consistent and predictable?
How will you help me avoid running out of money?
What happens if the market drops?
At Goldstone, we focus on building reliable, tax-efficient income streams through diversified investments, annuities (when appropriate), and social security optimization—so you can live confidently without constantly checking the market.
3. How Will Taxes Impact My Retirement?
Many retirees don’t realize that taxes can take a bigger bite out of their income in retirement than during their working years. Traditional 401(k)s and IRAs are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs), and every withdrawal is taxed as ordinary income.
If your advisor hasn’t talked to you about:
Roth conversion strategies
Capital gains vs. ordinary income
How Social Security can become taxable
How to reduce your lifetime tax bill
…then they’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle.
Goldstone’s team of fiduciary advisors and tax professionals works to strategically minimize your tax burden—both now and in the future.
4. How Do You Plan for Healthcare and Long-Term Care Costs?
Retirees today face longer life expectancies and higher healthcare expenses than ever before. An unexpected medical event or long-term care need can derail even the most well-planned financial strategy.
Ask your advisor:
What assumptions are you making about healthcare costs?
How will I pay for long-term care if I need it?
Are there insurance options that make sense for me?
At Goldstone, we factor healthcare costs directly into your plan and evaluate long-term care insurance, hybrid policies, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as potential solutions.
5. What Happens to My Money After I’m Gone?
Legacy planning isn’t just about passing on wealth—it’s about ensuring your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honored.
Ask:
Do I need a trust or a will—or both?
How will estate taxes impact my heirs?
Can you coordinate with an estate attorney?
Goldstone offers comprehensive legacy and estate planning guidance, so your assets transfer smoothly, tax-efficiently, and following your wishes. We’ll also help you consider charitable giving or gifting strategies that align with your values.
The Goldstone Difference
At Goldstone Financial Group, we’re not just retirement planners—we’re lifelong financial partners. Our Retirement Roadmap process helps you navigate each stage of life with confidence, clarity, and control. Contact us today.
