Medicare Prior Auth, Faster

There’s a growing conversation among retirees about the spend-it-all approach—using their savings to create meaningful experiences and give generously, rather than holding back out of habit or fear. While this mindset can help retirees avoid underspending, it’s crucial to have a clear plan in place. According to a recent survey, about half of Americans don’t have a written financial plan, and this approach requires precise budgeting and disciplined savings to work effectively. Interestingly, many retirees actually withdraw less than the familiar 4% guideline, and research has shown that some households finish retirement with nearly all of their starting assets untouched. However, spending and gifting assets earlier can come with trade-offs: larger withdrawals may reduce tax efficiency, and heirs might miss out on the step-up in basis advantage. One thoughtful strategy is to secure permanent life insurance earlier in life—this can provide heirs with a tax-free benefit and, if needed, offer the owner access to policy value. As someone who works with Executive Bonus Plans, Defined Benefit Plans, and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, I see how aligning your retirement spending with these tools can create both flexibility and security for you and your loved ones.