A plain-English guide to retirement income
Know how your savings turn into income before you decide anything.
Six short questions. Then a summary written from your answers, in plain English, with the questions worth asking before you move any money.
Free. About two minutes. No account, nothing to download.
How it works
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Answer six short questions
Your age, how close you are to retiring, roughly what you have saved, and what worries you most. No account numbers.
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Read your summary
A short read on what your answers mean at your stage, and the questions worth asking next. Plus a video that walks through the basics.
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Talk it through if you want to
Readers who qualify can review their situation with a licensed financial professional on a 30-minute Zoom call. Free, and only if you ask for it.
What the guide covers
The six questions that decide most retirements, explained without jargon.
- Turning savings into a monthly paycheckWhat you can reasonably draw each year without running the account down too early.
- Market drops close to retirementWhy a bad year right before or after you retire does more damage than one ten years earlier.
- Taxes on 401(k) and IRA withdrawalsEvery dollar out of a traditional account is taxed as income. When you take it changes the bill.
- Social Security timingClaiming at 62, at full retirement age, or at 70 sets your check for life. The trade-off is worth understanding.
- Healthcare before and after 65What to plan for before Medicare starts, and what Medicare does not cover after.
- Leaving something behindHow to keep money for family without giving up the income you need now.
Who this is for
Retire Handbook is written for people aged 55 to 74 who are within a few years of retiring or already retired, with savings in a 401(k), IRA, or brokerage account.
If you want stock picks or a plan to get rich, this is the wrong place. If you want to understand your options before you commit to anything, keep reading.
How we stay free
Retire Handbook is free for readers. It is paid by the licensed financial professionals it introduces readers to. Nobody on our team sells financial products, and you are never obligated to buy anything.
Your quiz answers are used to write your summary and, if you ask for a review, to prepare for your call. We do not sell your information to lead lists.
Common questions
Is this really free?
Yes. The quiz, the summary, the video, and the review call cost nothing. Retire Handbook is paid by the licensed professionals it introduces readers to.
Will someone call me?
If your answers show a review would be useful and you agree on the contact step, a member of our team calls to confirm your details, and a licensed financial professional may contact you. You can opt out at any time.
Do I need to share account numbers?
No. The quiz asks for a savings range, not account details. Nothing on this site connects to your accounts.
What if I have less saved?
You still get the guide and the video. We only set up review calls where a professional can realistically help, so some readers get the guide without a call.
Who are the professionals?
Licensed financial professionals who work with people near or in retirement. You learn who you are speaking with before the call, and you can decline at any point.
Does Retire Handbook give financial advice?
No. Retire Handbook is an educational resource. Personalized advice can only come from a licensed professional who knows your full situation.
Start with the six questions
Two minutes, and you will know more about your own retirement income than most people do before they retire.
Free. No account needed.