About
Us
Mike Schessler
Founder & Wealth Manager
Letter from Founder
Hello, I'm Mike Schessler, a fee-based Fiduciary Advisor and the founder of Sustainable Retirement Solutions (SRS). With 25 years of experience in the retirement planning arena, I've dedicated my career to helping clients achieve financial security and peace of mind in their retirement years.
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Early in my career, I focused on assisting businesses in setting up company retirement plans and guiding their employees in building their nest eggs. However, over time, I recognized a critical need that was not being adequately addressed: helping individuals ensure their accumulated assets last throughout their retirement. This realization inspired me to establish Sustainable Retirement Solutions.
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At SRS, my primary mission is to help pre-retirees balance their spending and savings, so they can enjoy retirement without the fear of running out of money. My approach emphasizes preserving wealth and creating sustainable income streams, particularly during the crucial years leading up to and following retirement. By focusing on strategies that mitigate "sequence of returns risk" and protect against market downturns, I aim to provide my clients with the confidence and security they need to enjoy their retirement years fully.
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Thank you for considering Sustainable Retirement Solutions. I'm here to help you navigate the complexities of retirement planning and achieve your financial goals with confidence and clarity.
Our Services
Investment Management
Navigating the complexities of the financial markets requires expertise, diligence, and a strategic approach. Our Investment Management services are designed to help you build and maintain a portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. We recognize that every investor is unique, and we tailor our strategies to reflect your individual needs and aspirations.
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Our approach focuses on risk mitigation and maximizing growth opportunities. By diversifying your investments and carefully selecting assets, we aim to protect your principal from the inevitable downturns of the market while still positioning you to benefit from bull market growth. We understand that market downturns are not a matter of if, but when. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of having a clear, proactive strategy in place to safeguard your investments during volatile periods.
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With our comprehensive Investment Management services, you can expect a balanced approach that seeks to mitigate stock market risk while pursuing growth. Our goal is to provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your portfolio is structured to withstand market fluctuations and help you achieve long-term financial success. Let us partner with you to create a resilient investment plan that adapts to market conditions and supports your financial journey.
Insurance
Services
At our firm, we offer comprehensive insurance services tailored to protect your family's financial well-being and ensure a secure future. Specializing in various forms of life insurance, we help safeguard your loved ones from the financial consequences of life's unexpected events. Our expertise extends beyond traditional policies, incorporating modern strategies and solutions that reflect the significant advancements in life insurance over the past decade.
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We understand the importance of selecting the right life insurance policy to fit your unique needs. Whether it's term life, whole life, universal life, or other specialized insurance products, our independent status allows us to provide unbiased advice. With access to nearly every carrier in the market, we can shop around to find the best coverage options and rates for you.
In addition to protecting your family, our insurance services also offer tax-advantaged methods for wealth transfer, crucial for effective estate planning. We help you navigate the complexities of estate taxes and ensure your wealth is preserved and passed on to future generations in the most efficient way possible.
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Our commitment is to provide personalized service, guiding you through every step of the process to secure a life insurance plan that aligns with your financial goals and provides peace of mind.
Fixed Index
Annuities (FIAs)
At Sustainable Retirement Solutions (SRS), we understand that securing a stable financial future is a top priority for our clients. That's why we offer Fixed Index Annuities (FIAs) as a key component of our services. FIAs combine the traditional value of guarantees with the opportunity to earn more interest than a traditional deferred annuity, making them an ideal "Safe Money" product for those who are averse to stock market risk.
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Fixed Index Annuities offer a unique advantage by linking the interest earned to the performance of an external market index, such as the S&P 500. This means that while your principal remains protected, you have the potential to achieve higher returns compared to standard fixed annuities, which are based on fixed interest rates. This blend of security and growth potential makes FIAs a compelling choice for those seeking a balanced approach to retirement planning.
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It's important to note that while FIAs can offer growth linked to market performance, they are not investments but rather insurance products. This distinction is crucial, as it underscores the principal protection aspect inherent to FIAs. Unlike variable annuities, which expose your principal to market risks and fluctuations, FIAs ensure your initial investment remains secure regardless of market conditions. This characteristic makes FIAs particularly appealing for conservative investors who prioritize capital preservation.
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At SRS, we sometimes recommend FIAs as part of a diversified portfolio, particularly for clients who want to balance safety with the potential for higher returns. By incorporating FIAs into your retirement strategy, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with guaranteed principal protection while still having the opportunity to benefit from market gains. Our team at Sustainable Retirement Solutions is committed to helping you navigate your retirement journey with confidence and security.
Tax
Planning
At Sustainable Retirement Solutions (SRS), our comprehensive financial approach ensures that your retirement plan is not only focused on wealth accumulation but also on effective tax management. Our expert tax planning services are designed to provide you with tailored strategies to manage your tax bill and optimize your financial health throughout retirement.
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Understanding the intricacies of tax-efficient investing is crucial, as many retirees are surprised to learn they owe taxes on their retirement income, including Social Security benefits. At SRS, we aim to keep you in a lower tax bracket by employing proactive tax planning techniques. We help you navigate the complexities of retirement taxation, ensuring you are well-prepared for any tax obligations.
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One significant aspect of retirement tax planning involves managing qualified money, such as 401(k)s and IRAs. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) come into play at age 72, often leading to higher withdrawals and increased tax liabilities. Our strategies are designed to help minimize these withdrawals and their associated tax impacts, allowing you to retain more of your hard-earned savings.
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With SRS, you can confidently approach retirement, knowing that our dedicated team is committed to maximizing your tax efficiency and preserving your financial well-being. Let us help you develop a tax-savvy retirement plan that ensures a sustainable and secure future.
SRS's Bucket Strategy
At Sustainable Retirement Solutions, we employ a 3 Bucket plus Strategy to optimize your financial planning. This approach integrates the three traditional tax buckets—taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free—while adding a Principal Protection bucket and an Income bucket.
This comprehensive strategy ensures your assets are not only tax-efficient but also safeguarded and structured to provide a reliable income throughout retirement.
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Taxable Money
This bucket includes assets that are taxed annually, such as brokerage accounts and investments not held in tax-advantaged accounts. These funds are easily accessible and provide flexibility for unexpected expenses or short-term needs.
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Tax-Deferred Money
This bucket consists of retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, where taxes are deferred until withdrawal. These funds grow tax-free until retirement, allowing for significant accumulation over time.
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Tax-Free Money
The tax-free bucket includes accounts and investments where the earnings and withdrawals are not subject to federal income taxes. Common examples are Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, and municipal bonds. This bucket is crucial for minimizing tax liability in retirement, as it allows for tax-free growth and distributions, providing retirees with a source of income that won't increase their taxable income.
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Principal Protected Money
This bucket is designed to safeguard your principal investment. It includes assets such as fixed annuities and certain types of bonds, which offer stability and protection from market volatility.
Income
Perhaps the most crucial and often overlooked component of retirement planning, this bucket focuses on generating a reliable income stream throughout retirement. It includes Social Security benefits, pensions, and annuities, ensuring you have consistent income to cover your living expenses.
By strategically allocating your assets into these various buckets, we create a balanced and customized retirement plan that not only protects your wealth but also provides the income you need to enjoy your retirement years without the fear of running out of money.
What We Offer
Contact
Us
Connect with us to learn more about how we can support your retirement plan needs.
Email Us / mike@srsretirement.com
Call Us / 773-495-1551
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