Designing Your Retirement Income Stream | Ep. 55

You saved well. Now comes the part everyone underestimates: turning your portfolio into a reliable paycheck.In this episode, Dave Grant and Heather Townsend walk through how they design an optimal retirement income stream, starting with the question every retiree asks: “Do I have enough?” Then they break down how to build income buckets, choose the right withdrawal mix across accounts, and avoid the biggest trap they see: trying to live off dividends alone.  What you’ll learn… • Why “Do I have enough?” starts with your monthly spending number, not a random retirement goal   • The 4% rule: why it’s a useful starting point, and why real retiree plans rarely stay flat   • The key factors that change your withdrawal rate: risk level, Social Security timing, pensions, and more   • How Heather plans for long-term care and higher end-of-life medical costs (without relying on insurance)   • The 3-bucket strategy (cash, fixed income, growth) and why it improves peace of mind and plan success   • Where those buckets should sit (IRA vs brokerage vs Roth) to keep taxes under control   • Why creating some taxable income can be smarter than showing “$0” income in retirement   • The problem with “living off dividends and interest”, and why it can create risk and tax drag   • Why paying yourself monthly in retirement helps spending discipline and reduces stress