Orlando, Central Florida & nationwide by video
Retirement Planning in Florida, Built Around Your Life
Florida retirement planning that coordinates your income, taxes, Social Security, healthcare and legacy into one clear plan, so you know how your money can support the life you want to enjoy.
✓ A clear picture of whether your savings may last
✓ Tax-smart withdrawals, Roth conversions and RMD planning
✓ Social Security and Medicare timing coordinated with your income
15 minutes. No pressure, no obligation. Virtual or in person in Orlando.
Roger Fishel
Independent retirement planner. 20+ years helping Florida families retire with confidence.
20+ Years
Guiding Florida retirees and pre-retirees
Independent
Advice built around you, not one product
$0
Cost for your Retirement Clarity Session
FL & Nationwide
In person in Orlando or by video
Retirement Planning Basics
What Is Retirement Planning?
Short answer: Retirement planning is the process of turning your savings, pensions and Social Security into dependable income that lasts as long as you do, while keeping taxes, healthcare costs and market risk under control and making sure your money passes to the people you choose.
Retirement planning in Florida comes with unique advantages and considerations that deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach. From tax planning to healthcare costs and lifestyle choices, a plan built specifically for Florida helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Whether you already live in Central Florida or are planning a move, thoughtful retirement planning helps make sure your income supports the life you want to enjoy.
The retirement mountain
The Strategies That Got You to Retirement Won’t Keep You Retired
While you are working and saving, we help you climb. But once you reach the top and plant the flag, the game changes. Your paycheck stops, and now taxes, Social Security, inflation, longevity and returns decide how long your savings may last.
Before the flag: we help you climb
Growing what you save in your 403(b), 401(k) and IRA, with time on your side to recover from mistakes.
After the flag: the game changes
Now every withdrawal affects your taxes, your Social Security and how long your money may last. The way down needs its own plan, and that is where we focus.
Florida-Specific Planning
Why Florida Retirement Planning Is Different
Florida’s lack of a state income tax is a major draw for retirees, but it does not eliminate the need for careful planning. Federal taxes, Social Security decisions, required minimum distributions and withdrawal strategies still decide how long your retirement income lasts.
Retirees in Florida also face unique insurance, housing and healthcare costs that can affect long-term financial stability. A well-structured plan balances growth, protection and income so you are prepared for both the expected and the unexpected.
Florida retirement tax facts
✓ No state income tax on Social Security, pensions, IRA or 401(k) withdrawals
✓ No state estate tax or inheritance tax
✓ Homestead exemption of up to $50,000 and the Save Our Homes cap on your primary home
✓ Federal income tax still applies, and up to 85% of Social Security can be taxable
✓ Homeowners insurance and healthcare costs vary widely by region
What We Cover
Key Areas We Focus On in Your Retirement Plan
Retirement income planning works best when every piece is coordinated. These are the core areas we bring together into one clear Florida retirement strategy, so nothing works against anything else.
Retirement Goals & Lifestyle
We start by defining what retirement looks like for you: your lifestyle, your priorities and the income you need to live it. Every strategy that follows is built around your goals, not a generic template.
See our planning process →Retirement Income Strategies
We turn your savings, pensions and investments into steady, reliable income designed to last, covering your essentials and still leaving room for the things you enjoy.
How to turn savings into income →Social Security Optimization
The age and way you claim Social Security can mean tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. We analyze your claiming and spousal options and coordinate them with the rest of your income plan.
Social Security optimization →Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Planning
The order you draw from your accounts can quietly cost or save you thousands every year. We use Roth conversions, required minimum distribution strategy and smart withdrawal sequencing to keep more of your money.
Tax-efficient strategies →Risk Management & Market Protection
We balance growth with protection so a bad market early in retirement does not derail your income. Your plan is stress tested against market swings, inflation and a long life.
Insurance and risk management →Estate & Legacy Planning
We help your wealth pass smoothly to the people and causes you care about, with the right beneficiary designations and coordination with your estate attorney.
Florida estate planning →How it works
Your Florida Retirement Plan in Three Steps
1
Free Retirement Clarity Session
A relaxed 15-minute conversation about your goals, your concerns and where you stand today, in person in Orlando or by video.
2
Your coordinated plan
We map your income, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, risk and legacy into one plan, and show you the gaps and opportunities.
3
Ongoing reviews
We review your plan as markets, tax laws and your life change, so your retirement stays on track year after year.
No cost, no pressure and no obligation to change anything.
Retirement Timeline
Key Retirement Planning Ages to Know
Many of the biggest retirement decisions are tied to a birthday. Here are the ages that matter most for savings, Social Security, Medicare and required withdrawals.
| Age | Milestone | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Catch-up contributions begin | You can contribute extra to 401(k), 403(b) and IRA accounts every year. |
| 55 | The Rule of 55 | If you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55, you can take penalty-free withdrawals from that employer’s 401(k). |
| 59½ | Penalty-free withdrawals | The 10% early withdrawal penalty no longer applies to IRA and 401(k) withdrawals. Income tax still applies. |
| 60 to 63 | Higher 401(k) catch-up limit | Workplace plans allow a larger “super catch-up” contribution in the years you turn 60, 61, 62 and 63. |
| 62 | Earliest Social Security | You can start benefits, but they are permanently reduced, by up to 30% if your full retirement age is 67. |
| 65 | Medicare eligibility | Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday month. Missing it can mean lifelong late penalties. |
| 67 | Full retirement age | You receive 100% of your Social Security benefit if you were born in 1960 or later. |
| 70 | Maximum Social Security | Delayed retirement credits of 8% a year stop at 70, so there is no benefit to waiting longer. |
| 73 or 75 | Required minimum distributions | RMDs from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s start at 73 if you were born from 1951 to 1959, or at 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. |
Sources: IRS, Social Security Administration and Medicare.gov, current as of 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details for your situation.
Free retirement tax calculator
How Much Could the IRS Take From Your IRA or 401(k)?
Enter three numbers to see your potential lifetime retirement taxes, plus a free PDF report.
See My NumberTakes about 60 seconds. Free, with no obligation.
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Turn Your Savings Into a Retirement Paycheck That Lasts
Learn how to draw income from your 401(k), IRA and Social Security in the right order, so you may keep more of what you saved.
✓ The withdrawal order most retirees get backwards
✓ When a Roth conversion may make sense
✓ How to avoid a surprise tax bill in your first year
Free Resources
Florida Retirement Planning Guides
Plain-English articles from Roger Fishel on the questions Florida retirees ask most.
The Florida Retirement Cost Breakdown
What it really costs to retire in Florida in 2026, from housing and insurance to healthcare.
Read the guide →How to Turn Retirement Savings Into Monthly Income
A 2026 guide to building a paycheck from your 401(k), IRA and other savings.
Read the guide →The 3 Phases of Retirement in Florida
How spending changes across the go-go, slow-go and no-go years, and how to plan for each.
Read the guide →The Silent Tax Bomb Hidden Inside Most 401(k)s
How 401(k) withdrawals are taxed in retirement and ways to defuse the tax bill.
Read the guide →Why Retirees Run Out of Money
The real risks that derail a Florida retirement and how to avoid them.
Read the guide →Long-Term Care Planning in Central Florida
Protecting your assets before care starts and after it begins.
Read the guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
Retirement Planning FAQs for Florida Retirees
Straight answers to the questions Florida retirees and pre-retirees ask us most.
Do I really need retirement planning if Florida has no state income tax?
Yes. While Florida does not have a state income tax, federal taxes, Social Security decisions, required minimum distributions and withdrawal strategies still play a major role in retirement. Without a coordinated plan, it is easy to pay more in taxes than necessary or take income in an inefficient way that reduces long-term sustainability.
How much income do I need to retire comfortably in Florida?
That depends on your lifestyle, housing costs, healthcare needs and how you plan to spend your time in retirement. Central Florida retirees may have very different income needs depending on location and lifestyle choices. Retirement planning translates your lifestyle goals into a realistic income strategy rather than relying on generic rules of thumb.
When should I take Social Security if I live in Florida?
Social Security timing is one of the most important retirement decisions, and it should be coordinated with your overall income plan. You can claim as early as 62 with a permanent reduction, receive your full benefit at your full retirement age (67 if you were born in 1960 or later), or earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70. The right timing depends on your other income, health, longevity and taxes. We offer a free Social Security optimization review to help.
At what age should I start retirement planning?
The earlier the better, but the most important window is the 10 to 15 years before you retire. That is when decisions about catch-up contributions, Roth conversions, Social Security timing and healthcare coverage have the biggest impact. It is never too late to start, and retirees already drawing income can still reduce taxes and risk.
Is retirement planning different for people moving to Florida from another state?
Yes. Florida transplants often need to adjust for differences in taxes, insurance costs, healthcare access and cost of living, and should update their estate documents and homestead status. A retirement plan built for Florida helps your income strategy, risk management and long-term plan fit your new location and lifestyle.
How does healthcare affect retirement planning?
Healthcare is one of the largest and most unpredictable expenses in retirement. Planning for Medicare at 65, supplemental coverage, prescription drugs and potential long-term care costs is essential. A comprehensive retirement plan considers healthcare alongside income and risk planning so unexpected expenses do not derail your long-term security.
What is a Retirement Clarity Session?
A Retirement Clarity Session is a free educational meeting that helps you understand where you stand today and how the different parts of your retirement picture fit together. The focus is on clarity around income, risk, taxes and lifestyle so you can make informed decisions about next steps.
Do you meet in person or virtually?
Both. We offer in-person meetings for clients in Orlando and Central Florida and virtual meetings for individuals and couples across Florida and the rest of the country. The planning process is flexible and built around your comfort and preferences.
What should I prepare before starting retirement planning?
It helps to gather account statements, income sources such as pensions and Social Security estimates, and an idea of your retirement goals. You do not need everything perfectly organized to get started. The planning process is designed to bring clarity and structure, even if things feel scattered today.
What is the first step if I want to learn more?
The first step is scheduling a free Retirement Clarity Session online or calling (407) 974-7100. The session gives you a clearer understanding of your current situation and helps you decide whether a more comprehensive retirement plan makes sense for you.
Did not see your question? Schedule a free 15-minute virtual strategy session.
Schedule a Free Q&A Strategy SessionClarity starts with one conversation
Your Next Chapter Starts With a Conversation
Schedule your free 15-minute Retirement Clarity Session. Meet virtually or in person in Orlando and take the first step toward retiring in Florida with confidence.
Book My Free Clarity SessionPrefer to talk now? Call (407) 974-7100
