Pre-Retirees

Retirement Is Closer Than It's Ever Been. Let's Make Sure the Numbers Work.

You've spent decades building toward this. The question isn't whether you've saved — it's whether what you have will do what you need it to do, for as long as you need it to.

The Questions We Hear Most

You're not starting from scratch. But the decisions in front of you are some of the biggest you'll ever make — and some of them can't be undone.

  • When can I actually retire — and how do I know if I'm ready?
  • When should I claim Social Security? Does it make sense to wait?
  • I have a pension. Should I take the lump sum or the monthly benefit?
  • What do I do with my 401(k) when I leave my employer?
  • Will my savings last if I live into my 90s?
  • How do I handle healthcare coverage before Medicare kicks in?

These aren't hypothetical questions. They're the ones that keep pre-retirees up at night — and they're exactly what this practice is built to work through.

What We Help Pre-Retirees Plan For

Real Experience, Local Insight, and a Relationship That Lasts

Every engagement is built around your specific numbers, timeline, and goals — not a generic retirement template.

  • Social Security claiming analysis, including spousal benefit coordination and timing tradeoffs for couples
  • Pension decision modeling — lump sum vs. annuity, survivor benefit options, and how it fits your overall income picture
  • 401(k) rollover strategy and investment positioning as you shift from accumulation to distribution
  • Retirement income projections showing what your money can realistically do, year by year
  • Healthcare coverage planning for the gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility
  • Tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing to reduce what you hand to the IRS.

Why the Five Years Before Retirement Matter Most

Planning for Purpose, Not Just Income

The decisions made in the window right before retirement have more impact on long-term financial security than almost anything that came before. Social Security timing alone can mean tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. A pension election is typically irreversible. A 401(k) rollover handled without a plan can create unnecessary taxes.



Ryan has helped Eastern Iowa families navigate these exact decisions for 15 years. The goal isn't to hand you a document — it's to make sure you walk into retirement knowing exactly where you stand and what comes next.

What It's Like to Work With Clearview

The first meeting is a conversation, not a presentation. Ryan will ask about your timeline, your income sources, and what's keeping you up at night. You'll leave with more clarity than you came in with — and no obligation to take the next step until you're ready.



Ryan Norton, CFP®, MBA has spent 15 years helping pre-retirees across the Cedar Rapids metro work through the decisions that define retirement. Clearview Financial Planning is an independent, fiduciary practice in Marion, Iowa, serving families throughout Eastern Iowa.

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Common Questions From Pre-Retirees

Addressing the Common Questions and Worries

  • How do I know if I'm ready to retire — and what should I bring to a first meeting?

    Readiness comes down to whether your income sources, savings, and spending can hold up over a retirement that could last 30 years. A first meeting with Ryan covers your current picture:

    • What's important for you before you retire? 
    • What does retirement mean to you? 
    • What's been your experience with advisors and money in the past?

    You don't need to bring anything formal. A general sense of your savings, expected expenses, and target retirement date is enough to start.


  • When is the right time to claim Social Security?

    It depends on your health, your spouse's benefit, your other income sources, and how long you expect to live. For most couples, the difference between claiming at 62 versus 70 runs well into six figures over a lifetime. Ryan uses dedicated modeling tools to run your specific scenarios before you make a decision that can't be reversed.


  • Should I take my pension as a lump sum or a monthly benefit?

    There's no universal right answer — it depends on the size of the lump sum, your other income sources, your spouse's situation, and your comfort with managing a larger asset. This is one of the most consequential decisions pre-retirees face, and it's one Ryan works through carefully with every client who has a pension on the table.


  • What happens to my 401(k) when I retire or leave my employer?

    You generally have the option to roll it into an IRA, leave it with your former employer's plan, or take distributions. Each path has different tax implications and investment flexibility. The right move depends on your timeline, your other accounts, and your income plan for the first years of retirement.


  • How do I protect my family if I were to need long term care in a nursing home?

    Long-term care is one of the most significant financial risks in retirement — and one of the least planned for. The right approach depends on your assets, your health, and how much of that cost you're able to absorb before it affects your spouse's income or your estate. Ryan works through long-term care scenarios as part of pre-retirement planning, so your family isn't making those decisions under pressure.