Do You Have Enough to Retire? It’s More Than a Number.

As heard on Today’s Business Radio, which airs on Twin Cities radio stations KFAN and KTLK.

TBR host, Tom Lyons is joined by Sharon Calhoun, Managing Director and a Senior Wealth Advisor at Vector Wealth Management for a discussion focused on framing the question, “do I have enough to retire.”

Retirement isn’t a date or a number—it’s a journey.

Retirement planning often begins with a deceptively simple question: Do I have enough to retire? But the truth is, retirement readiness isn’t about hitting a single dollar figure. It’s a dynamic process that requires a holistic view of your financial life, personal goals, and long-term strategy.

At Vector Wealth Management, we believe that preparing for retirement means more than accumulating assets—it means creating a personalized framework that allows you to live the life you envision. Here’s how we help our clients answer that pivotal question.

Retirement Readiness: A Three-Factor Framework

Rather than aiming for a magic number, our planning process considers three critical components:

  1. Spending Needs – How much do you need, and when do you need it? Understanding your lifestyle goals and mapping them to spending expectations is the cornerstone of any retirement plan.

  2. Income Sources – Will you have Social Security, a pension, part-time work, or other sources of income? Knowing where your income will come from and how stable it is, helps ensure long-term sustainability.

  3. Investment Strategy – How is your portfolio structured to support your goals? Investment strategy should align with your timeline, risk tolerance, and future spending needs.

These elements work in concert to provide a realistic and resilient roadmap to retirement.

Navigating Market Volatility and Uncertainty

Even with a solid plan, market fluctuations and unexpected life events can challenge your sense of security. That’s why we model a variety of scenarios to understand the potential risks and identifying levers you can control.

These levers might include:

  • Adjusting Spending and Savings Rates

  • Updating your Risk Tolerance

  • Positioning Investments for Tax Efficiency

With these tools, you’re not just hoping for the best—you’re preparing for a range of outcomes.

A Personalized, Bucket-Based Approach

At Vector, we use a bucket-based planning model, which segments your assets based on when you’ll need to access them. This approach provides clarity, reduces emotional decision-making during market downturns, and allows for more confident long-term investment.

Each bucket is tailored to a specific time horizon—from short-term cash needs to long-term growth—and supports a more stable, purposeful retirement income strategy.

Example Case Study: Planning for Clarity and Confidence 

Client Profile: Linda, a 63-year-old marketing executive, was unsure if she could retire early. She had saved diligently in her 401(k), but worried about the unknowns: market volatility, healthcare costs, and how long her money would last.

The Process:

  • We calculated her spending needs, mapped out expected Social Security income, and evaluated her investments.

  • Using our bucket-based strategy, we allocated her portfolio across time and asset type.

  • We modeled scenarios, including market downturns, to test the durability and flexibility of her plan.

The Outcome:

Understanding what was required from her investments, Linda felt empowered to make financial decisions.

Take the First Step

Retirement isn’t a date or a number—it’s a journey. If you’re ready to see how close you are to the life you want in retirement, consider partnering with a planning-first firm like Vector Wealth Management. Our personalized, bucket-based strategies are designed to give you clarity, flexibility, and confidence for the years ahead.

Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.


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Navigating Concentrated Stock Risk Near Retirement: A Strategic Approach