Bridge & Retire
Where are you in Your Journey?
Early retirement planning has three phases. What you need to know depends entirely on where you are. Pick the one that fits.
Not sure? Most people between phases should start with Bridge.
1
PHASE I / BUILD
Build Your Early Retirement Plan
5-15 Years Out
If you have been maxing your 401(k) and building a real savings rate, you are ahead of almost everyone. This phase is about making sure the structure you are building matches the retirement you are heading toward — the right account mix, the right tax diversification, and a plan for the years before 59½.
Tax Diversification
Asset Location
Healthcare Planning
Savings Structure
2
PHASE 2 / BRIDGE
Ready to Retire? Build the Bridge.
At & just after retirement
Retirement is the riskiest part of the journey. The years between leaving work and reaching 59½ require a plan most people have not built Learn how to fund the gap, manage taxes before Medicare arrives, and avoid the mistakes that are expensive to undo.
72(t) SEPP
Roth Conversion Strategies
ACA Subsidies
Withdrawal Sequence
3
PHASE 3 / MAINTAIN
Maintain Your Early Retirement
Ongoing After Retirement
Retirement does not run itself. Every year you are making decisions about which accounts to draw from, how much income to recognize, and adjustments to your plan. This phase is the operating rhythm: what to do, when to do it, and how to stay on course when markets or life changes.
Income (MAGI) Management
Annual Tax Planning
Rebalancing
Managing Risk
Not Sure Where you Fit?
Most people find themselves somewhere between phases. If you are close to retiring but not there yet, or newly retired and still figuring out the system, start with Bridge.