Planning for Retirement in San Diego: A Guide to Making Your Money Last

At Fee Only Planners, a trusted San Diego financial advisory firm, we work with individuals and families every day to help them make confident, well-informed decisions about retirement. As a team of fiduciaries committed to your financial success, we believe retirement is more than a finish line—it’s the start of an entirely new journey. If you’re asking yourself, “Have I saved enough?” or “How do I plan for a fulfilling and financially secure retirement?” — you’re in the right place.

If you’d like to talk to a real person about personalized retirement accounts or how to get started, give us a call at 858-547-1845 or contact us online.

What Does Retirement Look Like to You?

Many people approaching retirement are faced with a long list of questions:

• When should I retire?

• How do I know if I have enough?

• What will I do with my time?

• Will I be able to keep up with my current lifestyle?

The truth is, the answers depend on your goals, values, and savings. Retirement is not a one-size-fits-all plan—which is why personalized retirement accounts and a flexible retirement strategy are critical to your success.

Why Retirement Planning Isn’t One and Done

If you think retirement planning is something you do once and forget, think again. Your lifestyle, expenses, and healthcare needs will evolve over time. That’s why having an ongoing relationship with a retirement planning group like Fee Only Planners can help you adjust along the way and avoid costly missteps.

We stay on top of changes in tax laws, Social Security strategies, and investment tools to help protect your nest egg and keep you aligned with your goals.

How Much is Enough?

Forget the old 70% income replacement rule—it often falls short. For many retirees in San Diego, maintaining their lifestyle means aiming for 100% of pre-retirement income, at least in the first decade of retirement. Why? Travel, hobbies, medical costs, and home renovations are all front-loaded expenses that can quickly add up.

We recommend our clients use realistic projections and, whenever possible, run the numbers with an advisor using modern tools and calculators. One of our favorite resources? Our internal retirement readiness toolkit, customized for you.

Investment Strategy in Retirement

Let’s talk straight: Retirement doesn’t mean you stop investing. Instead, it’s about investing smarter. That means dialing back the risk while ensuring your money continues to grow and support your lifestyle. Our advisors help you:

• Transition from accumulation to distribution

• Protect assets with tax-aware strategies

• Adjust allocation to balance income needs and market volatility

We use a blend of personalized retirement accounts and evidence-based investing to help ensure long-term stability.

Avoiding Common Retirement Pitfalls

You’ve worked hard and saved diligently. But even the most prepared retiree can fall into avoidable traps. Here are a few we help clients steer clear of:

• Taking Social Security too early

• Underestimating healthcare costs

• Ignoring long-term care planning

• Paying high fees to underperforming funds or advisors

• Forgetting to update estate documents and beneficiaries

At Fee Only Planners, we work with you to cover the full picture. We’re not just investment advisors. We’re your partner in everything from Medicare decisions to gifting strategies to lifestyle budgeting.

A Word About Fees (Transparency Matters)

There are too many blogs on retirement and too few that talk about hidden costs. Most people don’t realize that working with traditional commission-based advisors can cost them tens of thousands over the course of retirement.

As a fee-only firm, we are paid solely by our clients—not through commissions or hidden incentives. That means our advice is 100% focused on what benefits you. You always know what you’re paying for.

What If You Haven’t Saved Enough?

If you’re playing catch-up, you’re not alone. Many San Diegans are entering retirement with less than they need. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here are a few smart moves to consider:

• Delay retirement or work part-time

• Postpone Social Security to increase your benefit

• Reduce discretionary spending

• Use home equity strategically

• Downsize or relocate

We can also explore tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and budget planning to help stretch your savings as far as possible.

Lifestyle Planning: Your Time is Now

Retirement isn’t just about money. It’s about time. How will you use your days?

Whether it’s volunteering, travel, family time, or learning a new skill, the happiest retirees are those who retire to something, not from something. We encourage all clients to create a lifestyle vision as part of their comprehensive plan.

Why San Diego is One of the Best Places to Retire

Between the coastal climate, vibrant community, and access to top healthcare, retirement planning in San Diego comes with built-in perks. But it also comes with a higher cost of living. That’s why having a strategic plan in place is so essential.

Looking for local guidance? Searching “retirement planning San Diego” or “retirement planning group” brings up a range of results, but few offer the level of fiduciary service, tax planning, and holistic strategy you’ll find at Fee Only Planners.

Start with a Conversation

Still reading? That means you’re ready to take the next step. Retirement doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Our San Diego-based retirement planning group is here to help you turn confusion into clarity.

Start by calling us for a Brief Intro at 858-547-1845 or send us a message today.

Whether you’re years away from retiring or already in your golden years, we’ll help you create a plan that works for you. Because when it comes to your future, you deserve confidence—not guesswork.

Looking for more insights? Check out our other blogs on retirement for practical tips and stories from real people navigating the journey.

Let’s plan smarter. Live better. Together.

Fee Only Planners — Your Fiduciary Partner for Retirement in San Diego.

*This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a representation by us of a specific investment or the purchase or sale of any securities. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. This material was developed and produced by Fee Only Planners to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. Copyright 2024 Fee Only Planners.