Is your retirement savings free — or tied up producing income?

You saved for retirement so you could use it. But if a large portion of your savings has to remain in the bank or invested just to produce the monthly income you need, how available is that, really?

You may need the savings for a new car, home repairs, medical or dental expenses, travel, helping family, or simply enjoying retirement. But spending it means reducing the income you depend on.

• There's another approach:

Using a portion of your savings to purchase guaranteed lifetime income from an insurance company, so the rest of your savings no longer has to carry the entire burden of producing that monthly income.

That leaves the remaining savings available for the other things you saved to enjoy.

There is a tradeoff: the premium used to purchase lifetime income generally gives up liquidity in exchange for the income guarantee. But for someone who wants dependable income for life, separating income savings from available savings is worth considering.

• Your savings shouldn't have just one job.

Let me help you make your savings do more — provide the income you need while keeping more of your savings free for the things you need and want.

Call Mark Dierolf at: (831) 753-0507 to discuss your retirement goals. Mark has over 40 years of experience.