How to Create a Sustainable Retirement Income Plan

How to Create a Sustainable Retirement Income Plan

Retirement isn’t about a magic number—it’s about creating a sustainable income that supports your lifestyle for decades. For Calgary professionals and business owners used to a high income, the transition to drawing from investments can feel uncertain.

The key question isn’t just “Do I have enough?”

It’s “How do I turn what I have into reliable, tax-efficient income for life?”

Here’s how to build a structured retirement income plan that gives you confidence, not guesswork.  Working with a qualified financial advisor in Calgary can help build a personalized financial plan and wealth management strategy tailored to you.

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1. Understand Your Retirement Spending Needs

Before you can design a retirement investment withdrawal plan, you need clarity on:

• Fixed monthly expenses (housing, food, insurance)
• Variable costs (travel, hobbies, grandkids)
• One-time expenses (vehicle upgrades, renovations, weddings)

A sustainable retirement income plan is anchored in lifestyle goals, not generic rules of thumb.

At MRG Wealth Management, we start by building a personalized cash flow model within an integrated financial plan that tracks your expenses across time, including inflation and healthcare.

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2. Coordinate Multiple Income Sources

Most retirees draw income from a mix of:

• RRSPs / RRIFs
• TFSAs
• Non-registered investments
• CPP and OAS
• Corporate accounts (dividends or salary)
• Rental or passive income
• Business proceeds or part-time work

The order and timing of investment withdrawals affects:

• Taxes payable
• Government benefit clawbacks
• Investment portfolio longevity

Our Personal CFO approach ensures you draw the right income, from the right place, at the right time.  This is part of an integrated wealth management strategy.

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3. Use Withdrawal Sequencing to Reduce Taxes

The order you draw funds matters. A smart withdrawal strategy could involve:

• Withdrawing from RRSPs early (before 71) to level out taxable income
• Using TFSA for tax-free top-ups
• Deferring CPP to age 70 for higher guaranteed income
• Drawing dividends from a corporation in low-income years

This sequencing can help smooth your tax bracket and avoid OAS clawbacks.  Important to discuss your specific needs and situation with a qualified financial advisor in Calgary.

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4. Plan for Inflation and Longevity Risk

Two of the biggest threats to retirement income are:

• Rising living costs over time
• Living longer than expected

A sustainable retirement plan includes:

• Inflation-adjusted cash flows
• Investments that grow (not just preserve) wealth
• Longevity buffers such as:
  • Delayed CPP
  • Annuities or guaranteed income layers
  • Portfolio longevity stress testing

We use advanced financial planning software to show how your financial plan performs through age 95, across different scenarios.

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5. Consider a Bucket Strategy for Stability

A popular method to manage retirement income is the bucket approach:

• Bucket 1: 1–2 years of cash and low-risk income
• Bucket 2: Moderate investments for near-term growth (bonds, balanced funds)
• Bucket 3: Long-term growth assets (equities, alternatives)

This method reduces the risk of having to sell equities during an investment market downturn and creates a psychological sense of stability. Discuss with your financial advisor in Calgary to learn more.

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6. Revisit Your Financial Plan Annually

Retirement isn’t static—your needs, markets, and tax laws change.

At MRG Wealth Management, clients experience:

• Annual reviews of your income plan
• Tax optimization updates
• Investment portfolio rebalancing
• Healthcare, insurance, and estate reviews
• Financial planning advice

We ensure your retirement plan and wealth management strategy evolves alongside you.

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Retire with Purpose and Confidence

At MRG Wealth Management, we help Calgary professionals, business owners, and retirees create tax-smart, sustainable retirement income plans tailored to their life goals.

As your Personal CFO, we coordinate your investments, tax strategies, and withdrawal plan—so your retirement and wealth management strategy works on purpose, not autopilot.

Book an introduction call today and take the guesswork out of securing your future.

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