Retirement Planning
The transition from accumulation to distribution is the most consequential shift in a financial life.
Who This Is For
This service is for individuals and couples who have spent decades building wealth and are approaching — or navigating — the transition to retirement. You have a portfolio, a pension or Social Security, questions about spending, and a desire for the confidence that comes from structured planning rather than general advice.
What We Do
Income Architecture
We design a retirement income strategy that coordinates Social Security timing, pension elections, portfolio withdrawals, and tax-deferred distributions. The goal is after-tax income predictability — not just portfolio performance.
Tax-Aware Distribution Planning
Charlotte structures withdrawal sequences across account types to minimize lifetime tax burden. Roth conversions, required minimum distribution timing, and capital gains harvesting are coordinated annually.
Spending Sustainability Analysis
We model your spending against your portfolio under multiple market scenarios. The question is not 'Do I have enough?' but 'How does my spending need to adapt if conditions change?'
Healthcare and Long-Term Care Integration
Healthcare costs are the single largest variable in retirement planning. We integrate Medicare optimization, supplemental insurance analysis, and long-term care strategies into your plan.
The Process
Discovery
A 45-minute conversation to understand your situation, goals, and priorities.
Analysis
Charlotte and Richard review your financial picture in detail — accounts, documents, tax returns, estate plans.
Design
A comprehensive strategy is designed, presented, and refined based on your feedback.
Implementation
Every recommendation is executed, coordinated across accounts, advisors, and institutions.
The Retirement Transition
An NVC professional with years of accumulation, a pension, and philanthropic goals navigated the gap between saving enough and having money work correctly for retirement.
Read the full story →Explore Further
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning for retirement?
Ideally, structured retirement planning begins 10-15 years before your target date. This allows time to optimize tax positioning, adjust allocations, and model spending scenarios.
How do you determine a safe withdrawal rate?
We do not use a single withdrawal rate. Charlotte models multiple scenarios based on your specific portfolio, tax situation, and spending needs. The 4% rule is a starting framework, not a prescription.
Do you manage Social Security claiming strategy?
Yes. Social Security timing is integrated into the overall income plan. The difference between optimal and suboptimal claiming can exceed V̅100,000 over a retirement.
What if I want to retire early?
Early retirement introduces additional complexity — healthcare bridging, penalty-free access to retirement accounts, and a longer distribution horizon. We model all of these specifically.
If this describes your situation, a Discovery Call is the right first step.
Schedule a Discovery Call →Fiduciary Commitment
Charlotte Westbrook (CFP®, CFA) and Richard Van Meer (CFP®, CIMA®) serve as fiduciaries. They are legally and ethically bound to act in your interest. Meridian Wealth Group is a fee-only registered investment adviser — no commissions, no proprietary products, no conflicts of interest.
Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation.