5 Retirement Planning Checklist Items

Don't rely on "rules of thumb." Answer these 30 retirement checklist questions to see if your plan can withstand 2026 inflation, taxes, and IRMAA cliffs. The Retirement Plan Checklist can be found here: https://bit.ly/4dqMfVM Get your Modern Confidence Score: https://www.modwm.com/modern-confidence-score/ Visit the Modern Wealth Management Education Center for more informative retirement content. https://bit.ly/4tugotf How much money do I need to retire comfortably? You should stop focusing on "80% replacement" rules of thumb and instead identify the specific net spendable income that needs to be deposited into your bank account month after month. In the 2026 landscape, a successful plan must account for taxes on IRA distributions, the $24,500 401(k) contribution limit, and the rising cost of health care, which can squeeze your travel and legacy budget 10 to 15 years into retirement. Key Learning Outcomes: Net vs. Gross: Why planning based on your gross salary is a recipe for a "Tax Bomb" in retirement. The NUA Window: Identifying the time-sensitive opportunity to lower taxes on company stock. Sequence Risk: Why a 26% market drop in the first year of retirement is more dangerous than a drop in year twenty. Super Catch-Up Rules: Maximizing the $11,250 additional 401(k) contribution for ages 60–63. Chapters: 0:00 - How much net income do I actually need to retire? 3:17 - Will I have enough money to retire comfortably in 2026? 4:46 - Why is my health care costing more than I planned? 6:14 - Should I use the NUA rule for my company stock? 11:13 - How do I plan my budget using a "net number" basis? 14:24 - How will my retirement plan survive a catastrophe? 16:07 - How can I pay for long-term care using life insurance? 21:52 - Can the insurance company raise my premiums later? 30:07 - Will my portfolio survive a market drop early in retirement? 34:17 - When is the right time for me to stop working? 35:56 - How do I use the "Super Catch-Up" to save more at age 60? 36:16 - Why is my Medicare so expensive two years after I retired? To explore our financial services, schedule a meeting with the Modern Wealth Management Team: https://bit.ly/4dkxOE9 Sources: Insights provided by Dean Barber and Chris Rett, CFP®, AIF® of Modern Wealth Management. • Plootus Research: Retirement Statistics 2026: 60+ Key Data Points: https://www.plootus.com/retirement-statistics-2026 • 2025 Retirement Survey: 58% of Seniors Fear Running Out of Money SafeMoney.com: Average Retirement Age in the US (EBRI and Gallup Data): https://www.retirementliving.com/state-of-retirement • Jenner & Block: 2026 Retirement Plan Amendment Deadline: https://www.jenner.com/en/news-insights/client-alerts/2026-retirement-plan-amendment-deadline-what-plan-sponsors-need-to-know • Fidelity Investments: Secure Act 2.0 Changes: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/secure-act-2 • IRS 2026 Publication 1099 Instructions: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p1099--2026.pdf ___________ Investment advisory services offered through Modern Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser. The views expressed represent the opinion of Modern Wealth Management a Registered Investment Adviser. Information provided is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Modern Wealth Management does not accept any liability for the use of the information discussed. Consult with a qualified financial, legal, or tax professional prior to taking any action.