You do not need a three-inch binder to have a useful retirement-income conversation. A focused set of numbers is usually enough to identify the major gaps, questions and next steps.

1. Your retirement date or target window

Bring the age or approximate date when you expect to retire, reduce hours, or stop earning a regular paycheck. If spouses plan to retire at different times, note both dates.

2. Social Security estimates

Download or write down the estimated monthly retirement benefits shown in your Social Security account at several claiming ages, such as 62, full retirement age and 70. For married couples, bring estimates for both spouses.

3. Pension information

If either spouse has a pension, bring the estimated payment options and any survivor-election choices. The single-life amount alone does not tell the whole story.

4. Retirement accounts and investments

A current balance is enough for an initial review. Include 401(k), 403(b), TSP, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, brokerage accounts, CDs, bank savings and existing annuities. For existing annuities, the latest statement is especially useful because it may show surrender value, income benefit information and contract dates.

5. Monthly spending target

Separate essential recurring expenses from discretionary spending. Housing, utilities, food, insurance, transportation and health costs usually belong in the essential bucket. Travel, gifts and lifestyle spending can be modeled separately.

6. Debt and large upcoming expenses

Include mortgage balances, major loans, expected home repairs, vehicle replacement, college help, planned travel or other large cash needs. Liquidity matters, especially before committing money to a long-term insurance contract.

7. Existing life and long-term-care coverage

Bring policy statements if they are easy to access. Retirement income, survivor needs, legacy goals and long-term-care exposure often overlap.

8. Tax questions to flag for your CPA

You do not need to solve tax planning before the meeting. It is enough to identify areas that may need coordination, such as Roth conversions, large capital gains, Required Minimum Distributions, charitable giving or business-sale income.

What we are trying to learn

The purpose of the review is to answer a few practical questions: How much dependable income already exists? What monthly gap remains? How much liquidity should stay accessible? How much market exposure are you comfortable carrying while taking withdrawals? What money is intended for growth, income or legacy?

Those answers are much more useful than beginning with a product.

Ready for a retirement-income conversation?

Bring what you have. If something important is missing, we can identify it during the discussion rather than delaying the entire process.

Schedule a Retirement Income Review

Educational planning discussion only. King Life does not provide legal, tax or investment advice.