The Second Half of Life: Designing Income Plans for Purpose 

After 35 years in the financial services industry, I thought I understood retirement. I’d spent decades helping to build products, design plans, and shape strategies meant to guide others through it. Yet when I finally stepped away myself, I discovered something no chart or model could show: the second half of life isn’t defined by accumulation—it’s defined by alignment. 

For most of our careers, we focus on earning, saving, and preparing. But retirement asks a different question: Now that you’ve built it, what is it for? That shift—from optimizing portfolios to optimizing purpose—may be the most profound financial transition a person ever makes. 

From Financial Success to Personal Significance 

In the boardrooms and conferences of my career, we often spoke about “retirement readiness” in terms of numbers. Could clients replace 70% of their income? Did they have enough guaranteed sources? Those metrics matter, of course—but they only tell part of the story. 

Once the paychecks stop, life is no longer measured by quarterly performance. It’s measured by time, health, relationships, and meaning. Income planning, in that sense, becomes the foundation for something far greater: the ability to live life with purpose and peace of mind. 

When advisors help clients define what fulfillment looks like—whether that’s mentoring, travel, community work, or creative pursuits—they turn financial plans into life plans. 

The Evolving Definition of Security 

Stepping out of the corporate world, I initially struggled with the loss of structure. My spreadsheets were impeccable, but my sense of direction wasn’t. Over time, I realized that true financial security isn’t about wealth—it’s about confidence. It’s knowing that your plan will support you in living the life you want, not just the life you can afford. 

Advisors who understand that distinction can guide clients toward a more holistic definition of security—one that balances predictability with possibility. Whether it’s incorporating lifetime income, flexible withdrawal strategies, or legacy planning, the conversation shifts from preservation to purpose. 

Conversations That Go Beyond the Numbers 

Having lived through this transition, I now see how much retirees crave meaningful guidance—not just investment advice. They want someone to help them connect their resources to their values. 

For advisors, that means asking better questions: 

• What do you want your days to look like? 
• What gives you energy and meaning? 
• How can your financial plan enable that vision? 

Those conversations may feel softer than spreadsheets, but they lead to stronger relationships—and more sustainable plans. 

Closing Thoughts 

After a lifetime of building financial structures for others, I’ve come to see that the greatest value an advisor provides isn’t in managing money—it’s in helping clients use it with intention. The second half of life isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping forward—with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Takeaways: 

• Retirement is a shift from accumulation to alignment—where money finds meaning. 
• True security is confidence in one’s plan, not just the size of one’s portfolio. 
• Advisors who lead purpose-driven conversations help clients live more intentionally. 
• Designing income for purpose transforms retirement from an end into a new beginning.