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What needs to replace
your paycheck?

Choose one month in your intended retirement and put expected spending beside income available in that month. Use the result to frame the next conversation.

Brent Rupnow, CFP®, CEPA®, ChFC®, CLU®

For your eyes first. Your entries are used only in this page. They are not sent to Via Luce or saved by this tool. Print a copy if you want to keep it.

Month or phase you are outlining

01 What goes out each month?

Housing & household bills

Include property costs, insurance, utilities, and regular home expenses.

Everyday living & healthcare

Include food, transport, healthcare, and other recurring expenses.

Travel, gifts & other spending

Convert irregular annual plans to a monthly amount.

Estimated taxes not already withheld

Enter your own monthly estimate. This tool does not calculate taxes.

02 What comes in before account withdrawals?

Social Security & pension income

Use monthly amounts after tax withholding and deducted premiums.

Other income excluding withdrawals

Use monthly amounts after costs and withholding. Exclude account withdrawals.

Use zero for an item that does not apply. Keep the same month and after-withholding basis throughout. If an amount is unknown, leave it blank; the outline will remain incomplete.

BEFORE CHOOSING AN ACCOUNT

What needs another look?

Income that starts laterHealthcare or premiums that may changeA move, repair, or other large expenseTaxes associated with withdrawals

A question to take into the conversation

HOW TO USE THE OUTLINE

Keep the timing and assumptions visible.

One month at a time

A benefit that begins later is not income available today. Make a separate outline when a major income source or expense changes.

Keep tax estimates separate

Amounts are entered after withholding. Include any additional estimated taxes as spending, without counting withholding a second time. Work with your tax professional on the estimates.

Leave room for the irregular

Record significant repairs, family commitments, and other one-time costs separately. A monthly average alone may hide when cash is needed.

Calculation: monthly spending total minus monthly income entered. Annual comparison: the monthly difference multiplied by twelve; actual months can differ. This is an organizer, not a projection or an investment recommendation.

Explore the retirement planning guide

See a hypothetical household example

WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK IT THROUGH

Bring the question. We’ll start there.

Explore the scope, fees, and steps involved in working with Brent. Financial planning is available without moving your investments.

Working with Via Luce

CONTINUE THE PLANNING CONVERSATION

Put the outline in context.

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A practical way to organize retirement spending, avoid counting costs twice, and see what remains to be funded each month.

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When Should Each Spouse Claim Social Security?

Two retirement dates and two benefit decisions belong on one household timeline. Here is what to compare before either spouse files.

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