It’s frustrating. Now, imagine that same "one-size-fits-all" approach being applied to your life savings.
For many retirees, the transition from accumulation (saving money) to decumulation (spending it) is a massive culture shock. During your working years, spending didn't threaten to bump your tax bracket or hike your Medicare premiums. In retirement, every withdrawal has a ripple effect.
In Chapter 2 of The Wells of Wealth, we explore why your retirement should be more like a custom-ordered burger and less like a pre-packaged value meal.
Missed the introduction and chapter 1? Not to worry! Check them out now:
We often share the story of George and Mary Eigel. They wanted to give their daughter a generous check for her wedding, so they cashed out some stocks. It seemed simple, until the tax bill arrived.
Because they didn’t have a coordinated decumulation strategy, that one gift triggered massive capital gains taxes and impacted their reporting to the IRS, Medicare, and Social Security. Their tax bracket changed, and their net income plummeted.
The lesson? Spending wealth shouldn't cause anxiety. You’ve accumulated it; now you deserve to enjoy it.
According to a 2025 Allianz study, 64% of Americans fear running out of money more than death. A holistic income plan is the antidote to that fear. Here is how we build it:
The Math of the Gap: If you need $9,000 a month but Social Security only provides $4,000, you have a $5,000 monthly income gap. How you fill that gap determines if your money lasts as long as you do.
In retirement, "Tax" isn't just a three-letter word that means you owe money; it’s a framework for control. As Chamberlin lead holistic planner Tom Ponce explains, you can’t control what the government does with tax rates, but you can control three specific decisions that determine how much of your hard-earned money stays in your pocket.
We break it down using the T-A-X acronym:
It’s important to remember that most Wall Street brokers and stock traders are legally restricted from giving tax advice. They specialize in the accumulation phase — growing the pile.
But in retirement, you are in the decumulation phase. You don't just need a "great guy" with good intentions; you need a specialist trained to coordinate all seven pillars of a holistic plan, especially the intersection of tax strategy and income planning.
Schedule a no-fee, 20-minute strategy session with a certified Retirement Educator. They aren’t there to sell you products; they are here to help you understand your risks. When you call, we will mail you a free copy of The Wells of Wealth System and discuss your eligibility for a complimentary "mini-plan," which includes:
Not sure what to ask your Retirement Educator? Here are a few questions that can help you get oriented at the start of your planning journey:
Most people focus on the total balance of their 401(k). As you approach retirement, though, your focus should shift to cash flow. How much of your wealth is liquid and reliable (your future “Liquid” and "Conservative” wells), versus how much is subject to market swings that could disrupt your monthly income?
This is a "stress test" question. Your retirement educator can explain the "Sequence of Returns" risk — the danger of the market dropping right as you start taking withdrawals, leaving you behind for your entire retirement and in danger of outliving your money. They’ll explain the importance of a "buffer" to protect your lifestyle during a downturn.
Tax rates are not static. If the majority of your money is in a traditional 401(k) or IRA, you have a "lien" on your account held by the IRS. Ask the educator how you can balance your "Growth Well" with tax-advantaged accounts (like a Roth) to ensure you aren't losing 25–30% of your future spending power to taxes.
Social Security shouldn't be viewed in a vacuum; you have to look at your retirement holistically. The goal is to find the "sweet spot" where you maximize your lifetime benefits while using your private savings to fill the gaps efficiently. When you file can have other effects on your long-term plan as well, with the formula for survivor and spousal benefits taking the timing into account.
Pro Tip: Whenever you talk to a potential financial planning partner, listen for whether they give you a "one-size-fits-all" answer or if they ask follow-up questions about your specific goals. The best strategy is always the one most tailored to you and your needs, goals and dreams.
• • • • •
Chapter 1: Got Risk? The 3 Biggest Reasons Why People Run Out of Money
Chapter 2: Have It Your Way: 5 Steps to Planning Your Retirement Income
Chapter 3: An In-Depth Look at The Wells of Wealth and How They Really Work. Keep an eye out in May!
In the meantime...
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As of the writing of this book and blog post, the author is an investment adviser representative and supervised person of Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC (“Foundations”), an SEC registered investment adviser. The opinions and assertions expressed in this book are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Foundations. Foundations’ involvement with this book has been limited to performing a high-level compliance review. No compensation related to this book will be directly or indirectly shared with or remitted to Foundations.
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