Retirement Strategy Preparation Page
Here’s your retirement strategy preparation guide, a short page to help you get the most from our 30‑minute session. Watch this quick video from Michael Henry.
Transcript (expand to read)
Thanks for booking your Retirement Strategy Session. This page will help you get the most out of our time together.
Here’s what I recommend:Fill out the short prep form it takes 3 to 5 minutes. Find a quiet spot where you can focus. Have your calendar handy, we may talk next steps. Grab something to take notes with, you’ll want to capture a few key takeaways.
Feel free to invite someone to join you; a spouse, sibling, business partner, or anyone you’d like to have in the conversation. Just note it in the prep form so I can plan accordingly.
Once you’ve completed the form, scroll down and check out the quick educational moment below. It’s a powerful reminder of why diversifying beyond the 401(k) can make all the difference, especially when it comes to taxes, liquidity, and market volatility.
Looking forward to our session.
Retirement Strategy Checklist
- Complete the prep form. If you haven’t completed the prep form (3-5 minutes) please do so; this is the most important step
- Find a quiet spot. Minimize distractions and we suggest using headphones
- Have calendar available. We may discuss timelines or schedule a follow up.
- Optional: Have something to take notes with. A notebook, tablet, or open doc, whatever helps you capture key takeaways.
- Optional: Pick one priority question. This single question you want answered by the end of the call.
- Optional: Gather financial statements. Any documents or account snapshots you want to discuss (screenshots or PDFs are fine)
Here's A Quick Educational Moment:
Diversifying beyond the 401(k)
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Taxes: A large 401(k) is tax‑deferred only. Converting some savings into Roth or holding taxable investments gives control over future taxable income and helps avoid big tax hits from required distributions.
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Liquidity: Short‑term needs (home repairs, interim healthcare, or bridging retirement until Social Security) are best met with non‑retirement cash so you don’t sell into a down market.
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Sequence‑of‑Returns Risk: Early withdrawals during market declines can permanently reduce a nest egg. A mixed bucket approach (cash buffer, taxable, Roth, tax‑deferred) smooths income and reduces forced selling
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Flexibility: Tax‑diverse accounts let you tax‑manage withdrawals in retirement, optimize benefits (Medicare premiums, tax credits), and adapt to changing rules without panic
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Practical next step: Start with a 12–24 month liquid reserve, map where new savings flow, and test 1–2 small Roth conversions in low‑income years to build tax flexibility
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Final note: Diversifying beyond the 401(k) isn’t about abandoning it — it’s about adding options so your retirement plan stays resilient under stress