Maximizing Your URS Pension & 401(k)/457 Plan Before You Retire from Public Service

BlackRidge Wealth Management

If you’re 5–10 years from retirement in Utah public service, now is the time to strengthen both your URS pension and your supplemental savings. Boost your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 contributions, review service credits, evaluate your URS payout options, and adjust investment risk as retirement gets closer. BlackRidge Wealth Management in South Jordan works with educators and public employees across the South Salt Lake Valley to help coordinate all these moving parts into a clear retirement strategy.

Why the Final Decade Before Retirement Matters

For Utah educators, municipal employees, and state workers, the last stretch of your career offers some of the most meaningful opportunities to increase future retirement income. Your URS pension, combined with a 403(b), 401(k), or 457, can create a comfortable retirement — but only if the pieces work together.

At BlackRidge Wealth Management in South Jordan, we regularly help public employees in West Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Draper, and Lehi build pre-retirement plans that bring clarity and confidence.

 

1. Strengthen Your Supplemental Savings With Higher Contributions

Your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan is your most flexible tool for increasing retirement income. As your salary rises, so should your contributions — especially in the decade before you retire.

 

If you’re age 50 or older, catch-up contributions allow you to save thousands more each year. Many Utah public employees don’t realize that 403(b) and 457 catch-up rules can stack, depending on plan specifics. Reviewing these options can dramatically boost your final savings.

 

2. Review URS Service Credits and Pension Projections

Your URS pension is one of your most valuable retirement assets. Understanding how service credit works — and whether buying additional credit makes sense — can help increase your lifetime income.

Many Tier 1 and Tier 2 participants benefit from reviewing:

  • How projected years of service affect your payout
  • Whether purchasing service credits is cost-effective
  • How your retirement date impacts your pension formula
  • Whether a Joint & Survivor option fits your family’s income needs

A small change in service credit or payout choice can mean a substantial difference in long-term income.

 

3. Coordinate URS Pension Timing With Withdrawals From Savings

Your pension start date affects how you draw from your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 accounts. Some retirees choose to start their pension early and delay Social Security. Others delay their pension to allow savings to grow.

A coordinated plan ensures your income flows smoothly over time. The right combination depends on your age, goals, and projected URS benefit.

 

4. Adjust Your Investment Risk as Retirement Approaches

Many public employees stay in a “set it and forget it” approach to investing even as retirement nears. The 5–10 years before retirement is often a good time to reassess risk.

Your investments should reflect:

  • Your ability to handle volatility
  • When you plan to start withdrawing money
  • How much income your URS pension will provide
  • Market conditions and life expectancy

A well-structured investment plan balances growth with stability, especially for those planning to retire in the South Salt Lake Valley.

 

5. Prepare for the Transition From Saving to Income

Your 403(b), 401(k), and 457 assets will eventually become part of your monthly income plan. We help public employees create a clear glidepath for this transition.

A coordinated strategy helps you determine:

  • Which accounts to withdraw from first
  • How much to take each year
  • How to avoid unnecessary tax pressure
  • How your pension integrates with other income sources

Public employees who plan early often experience a smoother, more confident retirement transition.

 

Visit Your Retirement Resources

BlackRidge Wealth Management offers tools and guidance specifically for Utah educators and public-service workers.

If you’re in your final decade of public service, you have a unique opportunity to boost your URS pension and supplemental savings. With the right strategy, you can walk into retirement feeling prepared and confident.

If you want a clear, personalized roadmap for the last stretch of your career, schedule a Pre-Retirement Checkup with BlackRidge Wealth Management today. We’ll help you coordinate your pension, savings, and retirement income so you can retire on your terms.