A Retirement Plan Built Around Your Life
Not Someone Else’s Quota
Generic retirement advice is everywhere. What most families actually need is a retirement plan built around the life they want to live — the age they want to stop working, the income they need to feel secure, and the legacy they want to leave behind.
At CMS Legacy Builders, we don’t push cookie-cutter products. We sit down with you, understand your full financial picture, and build a retirement strategy that accounts for taxes, market risk, inflation, and your actual goals — then we show you how to get there.
Retirement Accounts We Work With
- Roth IRA — Tax-free growth and withdrawals; ideal if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement
- Traditional IRA — Tax-deductible contributions now; taxed on withdrawal in retirement
- SEP IRA — Designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners; allows much higher contribution limits
- 401(k) Rollovers — Move old employer accounts into a self-directed IRA to gain more control and potentially lower fees
- Indexed Universal Life (IUL) — A supplemental retirement vehicle with no contribution limits and tax-free withdrawals
- Fixed Indexed Annuities — Guaranteed lifetime income options with market-linked growth and downside protection
What Most Retirement Plans Miss
Most retirement plans focus on accumulation — how much you save. Very few focus on distribution — how much you’ll actually keep after taxes. A dollar in a traditional 401(k) is not the same as a dollar in a Roth IRA or an IUL. The tax treatment at withdrawal can mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a 20-year retirement.
We show you the real after-tax picture — not just the account balance — so you can make decisions that protect your wealth for the long term.
Rollover: What to Do With an Old 401(k)
Leaving money in an old employer’s 401(k) is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes families make. Limited investment options, high administrative fees, and lack of control can silently erode your savings over time.
We help you execute a tax-free rollover into a self-directed IRA, giving you more investment choices, often lower fees, and a plan that actually aligns with your retirement timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning for retirement?
As early as possible — ideally in your 20s or 30s. The earlier you start, the more time compound growth has to work in your favor. That said, it’s never too late. We work with clients at every stage, including those within 5 to 10 years of retirement who need an accelerated strategy.
What is a 401(k) rollover and how does it work?
A 401(k) rollover moves your old employer retirement account into a new IRA or another qualified plan. Done correctly, it’s a tax-free event. You retain all your savings and gain more control over how they’re invested. We guide you through the entire process to make sure it’s done without triggering a taxable event.
Should I choose a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?
It depends on your current and expected future tax bracket. If you expect to be in a higher bracket at retirement, a Roth IRA (pay taxes now, withdraw tax-free later) often wins. If you expect a lower bracket, a traditional IRA (deduct now, pay taxes later) may be better. We model both scenarios for your specific income level.
How much do I need to retire comfortably?
A common benchmark is 25 times your annual expenses — enough to sustain a 4% withdrawal rate. But the right number depends on your desired lifestyle, healthcare costs, debt situation, Social Security strategy, and how long you expect to live. We build a personalized projection rather than relying on one-size-fits-all rules.
Is it too late to save for retirement if I’m 50?
No. The IRS even provides catch-up contribution limits for people over 50. Beyond contribution limits, strategies like IULs, annuities, and debt elimination can dramatically improve your retirement outlook — even if you’re starting later than you’d like. We’ll show you what’s realistic and build a plan from where you are.