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Request a conversationSavant Wealth Management is a wealth advisor for pre-retirees, people about 5 years from their last day of work who must pick a retirement date and turn savings into income. You'll face 5 main decisions, each with its own due date, and we work through them in that order.
If you're a service member or veteran with a military pension, the Thrift Savings Plan and a second career ahead, this page is written for you. The minimum is $500,000 in investable assets, and meetings happen by screen-share video or phone.
Savant Wealth Management sorts decisions by due date
Retirement feels like one giant question. It's really a short list. Before Savant Wealth Management suggests a TSP withdrawal or a conversion, we work out the tax cost and put it next to the date the decision is due.
The table shows one typical order for a hypothetical pre-retiree. Yours may shift.
| Decision | Due date | Number to run |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement date | Before you give notice | Yearly spending vs. income |
| Health coverage | Day employer plan ends | Monthly premium until 65 |
| TSP withdrawals | First missed paycheck | Monthly draw |
| Roth conversions | December 31 each year | Taxable income after deduction |
| Social Security claim | Any month from 62 to 70 | Benefit at each age |
Pick a retirement date the numbers support
Start with spending, not age. Add up what you need each year, subtract your pension and any Social Security you'll collect, and divide the gap by your savings. A quick test: if that gap takes more than 4% of savings each year, push the date back or trim spending.
Then look at Social Security. Full retirement age is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later, and claiming earlier shrinks the check for life. Working a second career before 67 adds a wrinkle: the earnings test withholds benefits above $24,480 a year in 2026.
Turn a TSP balance into a monthly paycheck
Take a hypothetical retiree with a $900,000 TSP balance who needs $3,000 each month beyond the pension. That's $36,000 each year, or 4% of the balance, shown for illustration only.
All investing carries risk, and you can lose money, including what you put in, so a bad first few years matters more than the average. We'd rather hold a cash reserve for 2 years of withdrawals, because selling in a down market is what really hurts.
What happens if you retire before 65?
If you retire before 65, you pay for health coverage until Medicare starts, and that bill goes into your budget like any other. Three years at $1,000 each month is $36,000, which equals a full year of the TSP draw above.
Price these in writing before you choose the date:
- Quotes for private or employer coverage
- Spouse's plan, if available
- Your military retiree coverage options
- Monthly premium budget until 65
Questions people ask Savant Wealth Management
How close to retirement should you be before calling a wealth advisor?
About 5 years out is a good time, because the biggest choices have long lead times. Roth conversions work best in the low-income years, and the retirement date, health coverage and Social Security claim all depend on numbers you can run now. Calling later still helps, but it narrows your options.
Should you claim Social Security at 62 if you retire then?
Not automatically. Claiming at 62 locks in a smaller monthly check for life compared with waiting until 67, your full retirement age if you were born in 1960 or later. Many people cover the gap from savings first, but the right age depends on your spouse, health and pension.
Do Roth conversions raise Medicare premiums?
Yes, they can. Medicare sets your premium from income reported 2 years earlier, and in 2026 the surcharges start above $109,000 for a single filer and $218,000 for a joint return. Plan each conversion amount with that line in view.
Use the low-income years for Roth conversions
The years between your last paycheck and your first required distribution are often your lowest-income years. A hypothetical married couple with a $48,000 pension and a $32,200 standard deduction has $15,800 of taxable income. That leaves room to convert some traditional TSP money to Roth at a low rate (check the current IRS brackets).
Yes, that means paying some tax earlier. Conversions also raise the income Medicare reviews, so Savant Wealth Management's Roth conversion planning checks the premium line too. RMDs start at 75 if you were born in 1960 or later.
Bring your pension statement, TSP balance and Social Security estimate to the intro call. The fee schedule reaches you in writing before it.
This content is general information and education. It is not individualized investment advice, tax advice or legal guidance. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before making financial decisions, talk to a professional who understands your full situation.