The Final Countdown: Your Retirement Roadmap for Ten, Five, and One Year Out

Retirement should be an exciting, not overwhelming, experience. Whether you are ten years away or on the final approach, the strongest retirements happen when your financial life is coordinated, intentional, and supported by a team that understands your goals.

At Sequoia Financial Group, we believe retirement planning isn’t a checklist you complete on your own. It is a guided, proactive, and deeply personalized experience; one where our team takes on the heavy lifting so you can focus on the life you want to build.

Below is a strategic, Built For You retirement countdown that highlights what needs to be done, and more importantly, how Sequoia handles the onus of preparation, strategy, and execution on your behalf.

10+ Years From Retirement: Define the Vision, Build the Framework

A successful retirement begins with a clear vision. At this stage, Sequoia leads structured conversations to help you reflect on where you want to live, how you want to spend your time, and which experiences (travel, family, philanthropy, etc.) define your ideal next chapter.

With that clarity, our team builds the financial roadmap for bringing that vision to life:

1. Project and refine retirement spending

We help you translate your lifestyle goals into a forward-looking retirement budget. That includes anticipated recurring expenses, one-time large purchases, property decisions, and long-term charitable or family-giving priorities.

2. Optimize your savings strategy

Our team evaluates your current savings rate and determines the necessary adjustments to help you stay on track. For clients age 50+, we may incorporate catch-up contributions into your strategy.

Example: For 2026, individuals can contribute up to $24,500 to a 401(k), with an additional $8,000 catch-up contribution available to those age 50 and older—and an enhanced “super catch-up” of $11,250 for individuals ages 60 to 63 (IRS, 2025). IRA contribution limits rise to $7,500, with an additional $1,100 catch-up contribution for eligible taxpayers (IRS, 2025).

3. Build a diversified investment structure

We reinforce a disciplined asset allocation that manages volatility and supports long-term growth. As your fiduciary partner, Sequoia monitors, rebalances, and adjusts your portfolio so that each investment decision aligns with your retirement timeline.

Outcome: You have a vision, a plan, and a team, so nothing is left to chance.

5 Years From Retirement: Stress-Test Your Plan and Eliminate Uncertainty

With retirement on the horizon, you enter the optimization phase. Here, Sequoia takes responsibility by refining your plan with you to reflect new realities.

What Sequoia does for you:

• Revisit and update your retirement budget based on lifestyle changes, inflation trends, or geographic decisions (BLS inflation data used when applicable²).
• Reassess tax-planning strategies to ensure you are positioned for a tax-efficient transition into retirement.
• Evaluate your current portfolio in relation to your near-term withdrawal needs and recalibrate your risk as necessary.
• Identify gaps or opportunities in housing decisions, liquidity needs, or upcoming family obligations.

Outcome: Your retirement plan is validated, strengthened, and prepared for the home stretch.

1–3 Years From Retirement: Coordinate Every Detail Before the Big Day

This period is about precision, and Sequoia manages the complexity so that every logistical, financial, and emotional decision is thoughtfully addressed.

1. Evaluate employer benefits by analyzing:

• Pension options
• Retiree healthcare
• Life insurance continuation
• Stock compensation or deferred comp elections

Each choice becomes part of your integrated retirement plan.

2. Build your “retirement paycheck”

• Your income may shift from salary to a blend of Social Security, IRAs, taxable accounts, pensions, or business distributions. Sequoia designs, sequences, and monitors this cash-flow plan so you know exactly what to expect when your paycheck stops.
• We also help determine when to file for Social Security. Example: Delaying Social Security can increase benefits by roughly 8% per year between full retirement age and age 70 (SSA, 2024). [Source: SSA²]

3. Secure healthcare coverage

• If you retire before age 65, healthcare becomes a key planning consideration. While Sequoia Financial Group does not coordinate health insurance, your advisory team can help you understand the financial implications of your options. We can refer you to external professionals who specialize in COBRA, private insurance, and other coverage paths. Likewise, at age 65, Sequoia does not manage Medicare enrollment; however, we will help you prepare for the financial aspects of this transition and connect you with qualified Medicare specialists when appropriate to help you avoid gaps or penalties.

4. Prepare your portfolio for distribution

• Your investment strategy must shift from accumulation to income. Sequoia adjusts your allocation, optimizes tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing, and maintains guardrails to support spending through all market cycles.

5. Confirm your retirement date

• When you are ready, Sequoia helps you confidently set your date, supported by a comprehensive plan that shows you can retire into the life you’ve imagined.

A Retirement “Built For You”

No matter where you are in your countdown, Sequoia Financial Group is here to simplify complexity, anticipate risks, and ensure you enter retirement with clarity, confidence, and a plan aligned to your values.

Ready to start your retirement countdown? Contact your Sequoia advisor or begin a conversation with us today.

 

 

 

Sources:

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits (IRS / Federal):

1. IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026; IRA limit increases to $7,500
   https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500 IRS
2. IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 amounts relating to retirement plans and IRAs
   https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf IRS
3. IRS: COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions
   https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/cola-increases-for-dollar-limitations-on-benefits-and-contributions IRS

Social Security — Delayed Retirement Credits (Official SSA):

1. SSA: Delayed Retirement Credits (Benefits Planner)
   https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/delayret.html Social Security
2. SSA: Delayed retirement details (example for a given birth year)
   https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/1957-delay.html Social Security
3. SSA — Code of Federal Regulations on Delayed Retirement Credits
   https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0313.htm Social Security