We’ve always said that major life events are also money events—times when guidance from a financial adviser can make a significant difference. One of the most impactful of these events is retirement. Individuals go from having a structured routine and steady income to having complete freedom with their time, but no longer receiving a paycheck.
While this shift may feel like the epitome of “too little, too late,” individuals have been encouraged to prepare for this stage of life since the 18th century, when increasing life expectancies gave rise to the idea of enjoying a leisure period after a lifetime of work.
But what exactly do you need from a financial adviser in retirement? You’ve spent your career saving and investing for your golden years, and now it’s time to roll over your retirement assets from an employer-sponsored plan to an IRA. However, while your 401(k) likely offered a limited menu of stock and bond funds, an IRA opens the door to a vastly broader investment universe—including individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, real estate, cryptocurrencies, private company stock, limited partnerships—essentially anything not prohibited by IRS regulations. When reinvesting $1 million or more, this level of choice can be overwhelming.
Some rollovers can be completed in kind, meaning you can transfer certain assets—such as an index fund from a major investment firm—without having to sell first. However, most 401(k) investments must be liquidated and rolled over as cash, requiring reinvestment. A financial adviser can help you determine the most efficient and strategic approach.
Many investors come to a financial firm and say, “Here is my money. I want it invested conservatively based on your investment philosophy. I don’t need financial planning—I have that under control.” These investors seek asset management only, applying the firm’s investment strategies to their risk tolerance, without considering cash flow, spending, taxes, or other financial factors.
Other investors want a more comprehensive approach. They’ve saved diligently but don’t know how their savings translates into a sustainable retirement lifestyle. This is where financial planning becomes critical, examining all aspects of your financial life: where you are now, your future goals, whether those goals are realistic, and determining what adjustments may be necessary if they’re not.
We evaluate everything: your salary, bonuses, incentive compensation, stock options, government benefits, Social Security, passive income, current assets, balance sheet, real estate values, tax liabilities, carryforward losses, insurance (health, long-term care, disability), property and liability coverage, estate documents, powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and more.
Your financial plan serves as the roadmap to your goals. As we develop the plan, we naturally arrive at your risk capacity—not just your appetite for risk, but how much risk you can realistically afford to take. For example, if your 401(k) was invested 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds, your financial plan might reveal that you only need 20% in bonds to meet your objectives. A financial adviser can then help construct a portfolio that balances risk and reward appropriately for your situation.
If you have questions about how working with a financial adviser can benefit you, the experts at Henssler Financial will be glad to help:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
Listen to the May 10, 2025 “Henssler Money Talks” episode.
This article is for demonstrative and academic purposes and is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
