"I'm 60 with $850,000 saved. Can I retire at 63?"
It's one of the most common questions families ask us. The honest answer comes down to a few things you can actually calculate. Here's the framework our advisors use, and a chance to ask a CIA advisor your own question, no commitment.
What "Can I retire at 63?" really comes down to
The retirement question isn't really about whether $850,000 is "enough." It's about whether the income that nest egg can produce, combined with Social Security and any pensions, covers the life you actually want. A coordinated retirement plan helps families:
- Translate savings into a sustainable monthly income
- Decide when to claim Social Security to maximize lifetime benefit
- Build a portfolio designed for income, not just growth
- Account for healthcare, taxes, and the things that change in retirement
- Identify whether a small adjustment makes a big difference to your timeline
A coordinated path to your retirement timeline
No template. Just a clear process designed around your life and your numbers.
Understand Your Full Picture
We begin with what matters most: your goals, priorities, income sources, and concerns, so the strategy we build reflects your life, not just your numbers.
Build a Coordinated Strategy
We align your investments, retirement income plan, and tax strategy into one integrated approach, so decisions can be made in the context of your complete financial picture.
Ongoing Guidance and Adjustments
We monitor your plan, proactively communicating and adjusting as markets shift and your life evolves.
The framework our advisors use with every family
Whether $850,000 supports retirement at 63 depends on how these four numbers fit together.
Your real spending
Not a budget guess. The actual monthly number that supports the life you want in retirement, including healthcare and the fun stuff.
Your income sources
Social Security timing, pensions, rental income, part-time work. Every dollar of guaranteed income is a dollar your portfolio doesn't have to produce.
Your portfolio's yield
What your investments can reasonably generate in income each year, sustainably, without drawing principal down too fast.
Your gap, if any
The difference between what you'll spend and what your income covers. That number tells you whether 63 is realistic, or whether a small adjustment makes it so.
Have a retirement question? Send it to us.
A CIA advisor will personally respond, usually within one business day. No sales pitch, no obligation to become a client, just a thoughtful answer to your question.
The retirement questions worth talking through
- Can I retire now, or should I wait a few more years?
- How do I structure my portfolio to support retirement income?
- When is the right time to claim Social Security?
- Should I do a Roth conversion, and if so, when?
- How will healthcare costs affect my plan before Medicare?
- What happens to my plan if the market drops early in retirement?
Families who want a thoughtful, coordinated approach
We serve a wide range of families and individuals united by a desire for clarity, coordination, and confidence in retirement.
Who want a clear, sustainable income strategy designed to support their long-term needs.
Looking for a more coordinated approach to investments, income, and taxes in retirement.
Navigating complex, multi-dimensional financial situations and legacy planning.
Such as inheritance, divorce, the sale of a business, or the loss of a spouse.
What people actually want to know
Is $850,000 enough to retire at 63?
It can be, depending on your spending, Social Security claiming age, and any other income. For some families it's plenty; for others, working two more years or adjusting spending makes the math work.
Should I claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70?
There's no universal right answer. Claiming early locks in a smaller check forever; waiting grows it. The right choice depends on your health, your other income, whether you're married, and how long you expect to need the money. We model all three scenarios for clients.
What's the "4% rule" and does it still work?
It's a long-running guideline that suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one and adjusting for inflation thereafter. Research back-testing to 1926 shows it has historically held up well, though we treat it as a guidepost rather than a static rule. Real plans flex with markets and life.
How do you actually generate retirement income from a portfolio?
We use a multi-asset class income approach: dividend-paying stocks, bonds, preferreds, REITs, and other income-producing assets working together to produce a dependable monthly cash flow from your nest egg. The goal is income you can count on, not just a number on a screen.
How is CIA different from a typical financial advisor?
We are a fee-only, fiduciary firm, meaning we don't earn commissions and are legally required to act in your best interest. Founded nearly 30 years ago with a mission to help families find happiness in retirement, we've grown to serve more than 6,000 families with $8B+ in assets under management as of December 31, 2025. Our entire focus, grounded in our research showcased in Wes Moss's books, is helping families find happiness in retirement, not just managing their money.
What happens when I book an intro call?
You'll talk with one of our advisors about your specific situation. There's no obligation to become a client. Most calls end with a clear sense of whether working together makes sense for you.
Ready for a more coordinated path forward?
Start with a conversation about your goals, questions, and how a holistic plan could simplify your financial life.
Capital Investment Advisors, LLC ("CIA") is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information presented on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, legal, or tax advice. You should consult your financial advisor, attorney, or tax professional regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. CIA does not provide tax or legal advice. Tax and estate planning services are offered in coordination with a client's independent tax and legal advisors. Information presented regarding the firm, including assets under management, number of clients, and years of experience, is believed to be accurate as of the date indicated but is subject to change. For additional information about Capital Investment Advisors, including fees and services, please review our Form ADV Part 2A, which is available upon request or at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/158055.