Turn Your Nest Egg Into Reliable Retirement Paychecks

 

Dallas CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Melissa Cox helps you create an income plan designed for stability, not stress.

 

What If Retirement Didn’t Mean Guesswork?

 

Retirement Income Planning That Feels Like Freedom

Retirement used to be simple. You worked hard, you retired, and your company handed you a pension check every month.

But for today’s professionals and entrepreneurs—especially here in Dallas—retirement isn’t so predictable. And for many of my clients, the biggest fear isn’t market crashes or inflation. It’s not knowing where your paycheck will come from when work stops.

 

“Melissa, I’ve done everything right. I’ve saved, I’ve invested… so why do I feel unsure about how I’ll actually live in retirement?”

 

That question is at the heart of what I do.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, I help people like you transform years of disciplined saving into an income strategy that supports your lifestyle—without tax surprises, Medicare penalties, or guesswork. Because retirement isn’t about a single number. It’s about knowing you can count on your money to show up when you need it most.

 

Why Income Planning Is the Real Heart of Retirement

 

You’ve built wealth over decades. That wealth isn’t just numbers—it’s fuel for your life: your mornings on the porch, your travel dreams, your ability to say “yes” to what matters.

But the transition from accumulation to distribution is where things often break down. Most retirement “plans” don’t include:

  • A thoughtful withdrawal strategy that keeps taxes low
  • Coordination between Social Security, Medicare, and investment income
  • Long-term contingency planning for inflation, healthcare, and market volatility

Without a clear income plan, even high-net-worth individuals can feel anxious or off-balance—especially as required minimum distributions (RMDs) kick in or taxes rise.

Worse yet, too much money in the wrong accounts—like a massive Traditional IRA—can become a tax time bomb, both for you and your heirs.

That’s why I build income plans that aren’t just smart on paper—they’re built for peace of mind.

 

From Paycheck to Purpose: The Future-Focused Wealth™ Approach

 

We don’t just look at your retirement savings. We look at your lifestyle, your timeline, your family, and your tax exposure—then design a cash flow strategy to match.

This includes:

  • Mapping out your essential and discretionary income needs
  • Coordinating account withdrawals for tax efficiency (IRA, Roth, brokerage)
  • Planning early Roth conversions to beat future tax hikes
  • Integrating Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) if you’re over 70½
  • Leveraging your IRA to fund LTC-boosted life insurance (where appropriate)
  • Stress-testing your plan against healthcare costs, inflation, and market dips

Because the biggest risk in retirement isn’t running out of money. It’s running out of clarity.

 

Retirement Doesn’t Happen in a Spreadsheet

 

Retirement income planning is personal. It’s emotional. And for many people, it’s the first time they’re asked: How do you want to live?

Will you:

  • Downshift work, or retire fully at once?
  • Help your grandkids with education?
  • Relocate, travel, or stay rooted in Texas?
  • Give generously—or preserve wealth for future generations?

The right income strategy puts your life first—and builds a plan around it.

 

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

Let’s be blunt: The tax code wasn’t designed to reward retirees with big Traditional IRAs.

If you delay planning:

  • RMDs could push you into a higher tax bracket
  • Medicare premiums could spike due to IRMAA surcharges
  • Your heirs could inherit a massive tax burden under the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule

Even worse? You’ll feel like you’re guessing every time you pull money from an account.

 

You Deserve to Retire with Confidence—Not Questions

Imagine:

  • Knowing exactly where your retirement paychecks are coming from
  • Choosing when and how to pay taxes (instead of letting the IRS decide)
  • Having a flexible, adaptable income plan that grows with your life
  • Passing on a tax-smart legacy that reflects your values—not just your balance sheet

That’s what we build at Future-Focused Wealth™—and we do it with warmth, experience, and unwavering attention to detail.

 

Ready to Take Control?

 

You’ve done the hard work of saving. Now it’s time to make that money work for you.

Schedule a retirement income consultation today: Let’s connect and start your plan 

 

Want to Explore First?

 

Here are some hand-picked resources to deepen your understanding:

Read:
Download:
Listen: