5 Retirement Income Strategies to Help Your Savings Last Through Market Ups & Downs

BlackRidge Wealth Management

Retirees in Utah can create a steady, predictable income—even during market volatility—by using a few practical strategies such as bucket planning, dynamic withdrawals, and smart tax decisions. The right approach helps your savings last longer and reduces stress when markets turn unpredictable. BlackRidge Wealth Management in South Jordan works with retirees across the South Salt Lake Valley to design reliable income plans that coordinate pensions, Social Security, and investment withdrawals.

 

Retirement Income Doesn’t Have to Be Uncertain

Market swings can make retirees in Utah feel uneasy, especially when withdrawals depend on accounts that fluctuate in value. The good news: with the right structure, income can stay consistent even when the market doesn’t cooperate.

 

At BlackRidge Wealth Management in South Jordan, we help retirees and near-retirees in West Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Draper, and Lehi build income strategies that are designed to work through many types of market environments.

 

1. Use a Bucket Strategy for Stability

A bucket strategy organizes your savings into time-based segments so you know which money you’ll spend now, soon, or much later.

 

Three common buckets include:

  • Short-term bucket: Cash or conservative investments to cover 1–3 years of living expenses.
  • Mid-term bucket: More stable investments designed to replenish the short-term bucket.
  • Long-term bucket: Growth-oriented investments that fuel income for later years.

This structure helps retirees maintain confidence during a downturn because near-term cash flow isn’t tied to market volatility.

 

2. Follow Flexible Withdrawal Strategies

Instead of withdrawing a fixed percentage each year, dynamic withdrawal strategies adjust based on market conditions. For example, withdrawals might be slightly lower during down markets and slightly higher during strong years.

This approach can meaningfully extend how long your money lasts. Many Utah retirees appreciate this flexibility, especially when coordinating with a URS pension or Social Security income.

 

3. Coordinate Social Security and Pension Timing

When you start Social Security can affect how much pressure you place on your personal savings. The same is true for pension timing.

 

For example, a retiree in South Jordan with a URS pension might draw from savings early to delay Social Security for a higher lifetime benefit. Another retiree in Draper may choose to start both at the same time for simplicity.

Good timing creates smoother income and less strain on your portfolio.

 

4. Make Withdrawals in a Tax-Efficient Order

Taxes can have a major impact on how long your savings last. By choosing which accounts to draw from first—traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457 plans, or taxable accounts—you can reduce lifetime taxes and preserve more of your wealth.

For example, drawing from taxable accounts early while letting IRAs continue to grow may reduce Required Minimum Distributions later. But every retiree is different, and the right approach depends on income needs, pension benefits, and Social Security timing.

 

5. Stress-Test Your Plan for Market Volatility

Markets don’t move in straight lines, and neither should a retirement plan. Stress-testing shows how your income strategy could hold up during recessions, high inflation, or extended weak markets.

 

BlackRidge Wealth Management frequently runs side-by-side comparisons to help retirees understand:

  • How income behaves during down markets
  • Whether to reduce withdrawals temporarily
  • When to refill short-term buckets using long-term investments
  • Whether current investments match retirement goals

Seeing how a plan behaves in tough markets helps retirees stay steady when conditions are uncertain.

 

A Simple Example of How These Strategies Work Together

Imagine a couple in Riverton retiring at 65. They keep two years of expenses in a short-term bucket, invest the mid-term bucket conservatively, and maintain a long-term bucket for growth. They delay Social Security until 67 for higher benefits, and draw from taxable accounts first to manage taxes. When the market drops, they pause withdrawals from the long-term bucket and rely on short-term funds until markets recover.

 

This approach gives them predictable income without constant worry.

 

You can create a stable, durable retirement income plan even when markets are unpredictable. With a thoughtful mix of buckets, flexible withdrawals, tax strategies, and coordinated benefits, your savings can work harder for you through every market cycle.

If you want a clear plan to help your retirement savings last through both good and challenging markets, reach out to BlackRidge Wealth Management in South Jordan for a Retirement Income Checkup. We’ll help you build a steady, reliable income strategy tailored to your life in Utah.