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Work through the Five Realms of Retirement in order. Each section has live calculators that update in real time as you type your numbers — no spreadsheets needed. Everything you enter is saved automatically so you can return where you left off.
Mark received a deferred compensation bonus his retirement year. He delayed Social Security to avoid stacking it on top of high income — a smaller percentage became taxable when he later claimed. David claimed early, anchoring guaranteed income before Roth conversions and a property sale arrived. Mark delayed to avoid stacking. David claimed early to anchor before higher-income years. Both decisions were correct — because both were coordinated.
Social Security timing is not a break-even calculation. It is a structural decision that ripples through taxation, Medicare premiums, and spousal survivor benefits for decades. The right answer depends entirely on your other income sources and your specific foemen.
Get your numbers from ssa.gov/myaccount — takes 10 minutes to create an account.
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
Request a fee disclosure from every current plan (ERISA §404a-5 — required by law). Look up expense ratios at morningstar.com.
List every account with institution, type, balance, and beneficiary.
Ray opened a Roth IRA at 55 with a small deposit — just enough to start the five-year clock. When he rolled his Roth 401(k) into that established IRA at 65, the clock was already satisfied. Carol never opened a Roth IRA while working. When her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's 18 months after retirement, she turned to her Roth IRA expecting full access. Her contributions were there. Her earnings were not — the five-year clock hadn't run. She withdrew from her traditional IRA instead. That distribution increased her provisional income, increased SS taxation, and triggered IRMAA surcharges two years later. One withdrawal set off a cascade that took three years to stabilize.
If you have a Roth 401(k) and have not yet opened a Roth IRA, open one today — even with a one-dollar deposit — to start the five-year clock.
Get your AGI from your tax transcript at irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
| Age | Est. IRA Balance | IRS Period | Required RMD | + SS Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enter your balance and age above to see your projected RMDs | ||||
Assumes 5% annual growth. IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Publication 590-B). Add your Social Security income in the last column.
Use the Tax Kraken calculator to see your specific Three Feedings: retireregal.com/kraken
| Rate | Married Filing Jointly | Single |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $23,200 | $0 – $11,600 |
| 12% | $23,201 – $94,300 | $11,601 – $47,150 |
| 22% | $94,301 – $201,050 | $47,151 – $100,525 |
| 24% | $201,051 – $383,900 | $100,526 – $191,950 |
| 32% | $383,901 – $487,450 | $191,951 – $243,725 |
| 35% | $487,451 – $731,200 | $243,726 – $609,350 |
| 37% | Over $731,200 | Over $609,350 |
Brackets adjust annually for inflation. Standard deduction MFJ 2024: $29,200. Single: $14,600. Verify at irs.gov.
During a sharp market downturn, Greg's well-diversified portfolio had no structural separation. When markets declined, his income withdrawals continued proportionally from all assets. Each withdrawal locked in losses. Susan had reorganized using the REGAL Stronghold. When markets dipped, nothing needed to be sold. Growth assets were allowed to recover untouched.
The markets did not treat Greg and Susan differently. The structure did. Greg's plan was built for accumulation. Susan's was built for retirement. The transition is an architecture decision, not an investment decision.
Beneficiary designations override your will entirely. An outdated designation directs assets regardless of your estate documents. Log in to every account individually — do not rely on memory.
Assets
Liabilities
Most non-spouse beneficiaries must fully distribute an inherited IRA within 10 years (SECURE Act, 2019). If your children are still working, this adds significant taxable income during their peak earning years.
Who are you building this for — beyond yourself?
What matters most when you're no longer here to manage it?
The Five Foemen of Retirement do not take turns. They arrive together. Check which are most active in your plan.
Freedom is never found by chance. It is built by design.