How A Retirement Planner Can Help You Effectively Plan Your Retirement
There was a time when you'd have a pension at the end of your working years.
Pensions were once the “go-to” retirement plan and everyone was easily able to analyze and monitor their own retirement strategy. This is no longer the case, as pensions have become much less common.
Not all retirement strategies are the same
There is such a wide variety available for retirement plans, they are no longer a “one-size fits all”. Sage Investment Advisers, LLC located in Poughkeepsie, NY works with clients to analyze their current situation and create a customized retirement plan that will best meet their needs and budget.
The traditional 401(k).
Most people have this type of retirement savings strategy, and it works like this. The strategy is funded with pre-tax dollars taken out of your paycheck (through payroll deductions). If you're lucky, your company will match your level of contribution or even make contributions on your behalf – after all, the employer contributions are tax deductible.
The Safe Harbor 401(k).
A byproduct of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, the Safe Harbor strategy combines the best features of the traditional 401(k) and the SIMPLE IRA, making it very attractive to a business owner. With a Safe Harbor plan, an owner-operator can avoid the big administrative expenses of a traditional 401(k) and enjoy higher contribution limits.
The SIMPLE 401(k).
Designed for small business owners who don't want to deal with retirement plan administration or non-discrimination tests, the SIMPLE 401(k) is available for businesses with less than 100 employees. Like a Safe Harbor plan, the business owner must make fully vested contributions (a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3% of an employee's income or a nonelective contribution of 2% of pay for each eligible employee).
The Solo 401(k).
Combine a profit-sharing plan with a regular 401(k), and you have the Solo 401(k) plan, a retirement savings vehicle designed for sole proprietors with no employees other than their spouses.
The Roth 401(k).
Imagine a traditional 401(k) fused with a Roth IRA. Here's the big difference: you contribute after-tax income to a Roth 401(k), and when you reach age 59½, your withdrawals will be tax free (provided you've had your plan for more than five years).
You can roll Roth 401(k) assets into a Roth IRA when you retire – and you don't have to make mandatory withdrawals from a Roth IRA when you turn 70½.
The SEP-IRA.
This employer-funded plan gives businesses a simplified vehicle to make contributions toward workers' retirements (and optionally, their own). The employer contributions are 100% vested from the start, and the employer can supplement the SEP-IRA with another retirement plan.
The SIMPLE IRA.
This is like a SIMPLE 401(k) – a small business retirement plan with mandatory employer. But in this plan, there is one big difference for the business owner. If the business is not doing well, the owner can temporarily reduce plan contributions.
The Keogh Plan.
The Keogh is designed for small, unincorporated businesses. There are defined benefit, money purchase, and profit-sharing variations; the defined benefit variation is a qualified pension plan offering a fixed benefit amount.
Did you know you had so many choices?
If you are an employer, you may not have realized you have such an array of choices in retirement plans. But you do, and asking the right questions may represent the first step toward implementing the right plan for your future or your company. Be sure to ask a qualified financial advisor or business retirement plan consultant about your options today.
Across the country, people are saving for that "someday" called retirement.
Someday, their careers will end. Someday, they may live off their savings or investments, plus Social Security. They know this, but many of them do not know when, or how, it will happen. What is missing is a strategy – and a good strategy might make a great difference.
A retirement strategy directly addresses the "when," "why," and "how" of retiring.
It can even address the "where." It breaks the whole process of getting ready for retirement into actionable steps.
This is so important. Too many people retire with doubts, unsure if they have enough retirement money, and uncertain of what their tomorrow will look like. In contrast, you can save, invest, and act on your vision of retirement now to chart a path toward your goals and the future you want to create for yourself.
Some people dismiss having a long-range retirement strategy since no one can predict the future. Indeed, there are things about the future you cannot control: how the stock market will perform, how the economy might do, and so on. That said, you have partial or full control over other things: the way you save and invest, your spending and borrowing, the length and arc of your career, and your health. You also have the chance to be proactive and to prepare for the future.
A good retirement strategy has many elements.
It sets financial objectives. It addresses your retirement income: how much you may need, the sequence of account withdrawals, and the age at which you claim Social Security. It establishes (or refines) an investment approach. It examines tax implications and potential tax advantages. It takes possible health care costs into consideration and even the transfer of assets to heirs.
A prudent retirement strategy also entertains different consequences.
Financial advisors often use multiple-probability simulations to try to assess the degree of financial risk to a retirement strategy in case of an unexpected outcome. These simulations can help to inform the advisor and the retiree or pre-retiree about the "what ifs" that may affect a strategy. They also consider sequence-of-returns risk, which refers to the uncertainty of the order of returns an investor may receive over an extended period.
Let a retirement strategy guide you.
Ask a financial professional to collaborate with you to create a retirement strategy, personalized for your goals and dreams. When you have this strategy, you will know what steps to take in pursuit of the future you want.
Working with a professional and experienced retirement planner will ensure you have the proper retirement strategy in place. A good financial planner will be sure to craft a plan that will meet your retirement desires and stay within budget.
Published by Sage Investment Advisers, LLC in Poughkepsie, NY
June 23, 2025 Sage Investment Advisers, LLC Named 2025 Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — Sage Investment Advisers, LLC, a trusted and local fiduciary firm based in Wappingers Falls, is thrilled to announce they have been chosen as Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley for 2025 , by Hudson Valley Magazine. Sage Investment Advisers beat out many other local financial planners and advisory firms to win the title of Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley. The Best of the Hudson Valley is an annual competition from Hudson Valley Magazine, where locals vote for their most beloved local businesses in each category. “We are honored to be named Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley,” said Jerry Schuder, President of Sage Investment Advisers. “This recognition validates the daily efforts of our team, working tirelessly to guide clients in retirement planning, investment management, and wealth preservation with integrity and care.” Sage Investment Advisers serves clients throughout the Hudson Valley region, including Wappingers Falls, Poughkeepsie, and beyond, offering tailored financial strategies, retirement planning, Social Security optimization, and real estate advisory services. Sage is dedicated to providing their clients with custom financial and retirement strategies to help them plan their retirement and legacy. This latest achievement adds to their list of other prestigious awards which include: 2024 Readers’ Choice: Best Financial Advisor – Hudson Valley , awarded by Daily Voice facebook.com+15dailyvoice.com+15sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com+15 Multiple Five‑Star Wealth Manager Awards (2012–2016, 2022–2025), presented by Five Star Professional fivestarprofessional.com+2fivestarprofessional.com+2fivestarprofessional.com+2 Recognized growth as the Hudson Valley’s #1 fastest-growing wealth management firm in prior industry rankings m.facebook.com+10sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com+10fivestarprofessional.com+10 Best Financial Advisor Firm (2024-2025)-Hudson Valley, awarded by USA Today “Being part of this Hudson Valley community means everything to us,” added Vice President, Joe Guarneri. “This award reflects our clients’ confidence and the strength of our fiduciary-driven practice.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Sage Investment Advisers, LLC Located at 1829 South Road, Wappingers Falls, NY , Sage Investment Advisers is a local fiduciary wealth management and financial planning firm. The team combines financial and investment knowledge with decades of experience to offer custom investment strategies, retirement roadmaps, Social Security optimization, college planning, and real estate advisory services—all designed to empower clients to pursue financial peace and legacy building. Contact Jerry Schuder President, Sage Investment Advisers, LLC (845) 240‑1551 info@sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com Website: sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com Sage Investment Advisers, LLC , serving as Hudson Valley’s premier fiduciary firm, is honored to be named Best Financial Planner for 2025 , and remains dedicated to helping clients build their wealth, retirements, and legacies.
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