Shotwell Rutter Baer Financial Planners

Shotwell Rutter Baer Financial Planners Independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm.

Join us at the “kitchen table” as we help you cut through the complexity of your financial lives with practical and uncomplicated financial planning and investment advice.

05/29/2026

Saving for retirement is only half the equation. The harder question is this: How do you turn your retirement savings into dependable income?

Should you take money from your 403(b) first? Delay Social Security? How do taxes affect your withdrawals? And how do you know if your retirement income will last?

In this clip, we discuss why retirement planning has changed from the pension era and why today's retirees need to create income strategies using multiple retirement accounts and income sources.

We cover:

• How to know if you're withdrawing too much or too little
• Why retirement income planning is more complex today
• The importance of balancing different income sources
• Questions retirees should ask before creating an income strategy

This is only part of the conversation. In the full episode, we go deeper into retirement income planning for Michigan State University employees, including 403(b)s, 457 plans, Social Security timing, taxes, TIAA options, and withdrawal strategies.

Watch the full episode here:
https://srbadvisors.com/s5e11-how-to-calculate-your-retirement-income/

Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips: https://www.youtube.com/

05/27/2026

How do you decide which retirement income sources to use first? Should you draw from your 403(b), wait on Social Security, or prioritize guaranteed income?

Retirement income is rarely as simple as withdrawing the same amount every year. The real challenge is creating a strategy that balances retirement accounts, Social Security, taxes, and guaranteed income sources to build a more consistent paycheck in retirement.

In this clip, we talk about:

• Why retirement income planning involves more than the 4% rule
• How guaranteed vs. non-guaranteed income impacts your strategy
• Why retirement withdrawals often change over time
• How Social Security timing affects retirement income planning

This is one piece of a bigger conversation about creating retirement income for Michigan State University employees. Watch the full episode to learn how 403(b)s, 457 plans, TIAA options, Social Security, and withdrawal strategies work together in retirement.

Watch the full episode here: https://srbadvisors.com/s5e11-how-to-calculate-your-retirement-income/

Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips: https://www.youtube.com/

05/26/2026

Retirement planning is not only about building savings. The real challenge is creating dependable income from those savings once retirement begins.

In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, we discuss retirement income strategies for MSU employees, including Social Security timing, withdrawal strategies, taxes, and TIAA options.

Watch the full episode here: https://srbadvisors.com/s5e11-how-to-calculate-your-retirement-income/

Subscribe for more retirement planning conversations:
https://www.youtube.com/

05/14/2026

One retirement tax issue that many people underestimate?

Required Minimum Distributions.

If you retire early and leave large balances in pre-tax retirement accounts, those accounts may continue growing for years before RMDs begin at age 73.

That growth can eventually create larger mandatory withdrawals, increase taxable income, and potentially affect other areas of your retirement plan.

In this clip from Kitchen Table Finance, Dave explains why projecting future RMDs matters earlier than most people think.

Catch the full episode here: https://srbadvisors.com/s5e10-top-tax-mistakes-pre-retirees-make/

Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

05/13/2026

There’s a reason smart retirement planning is not all in one bucket.

In this clip from Kitchen Table Finance, Dave explains the three major types of retirement savings:

• Pre-tax accounts like Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s
• Roth accounts with tax-free growth potential
• After-tax brokerage accounts with flexible investing options

Each type is taxed differently, and understanding how they work together can create more flexibility in retirement income planning.

Catch the full episode here: https://srbadvisors.com/s5e10-top-tax-mistakes-pre-retirees-make/

Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

05/12/2026

One of the biggest tax mistakes pre-retirees make?

Waiting until tax filing season to think about taxes.

By March or April, many opportunities to improve your tax situation are already gone. That’s why proactive planning, tax projections, and reviewing strategies before year-end can make a major difference over time.

In this clip from Kitchen Table Finance, Dave and Nick explain why tax planning should happen long before you file your return.

Catch the full episode here: https://srbadvisors.com/s5e10-top-tax-mistakes-pre-retirees-make/

05/06/2026

What Happens When the Fed Changes Interest Rates

You have probably heard the phrase, " Do not fight the Fed." But what does that actually mean?

In this clip, we explain how interest rates impact the stock market and why investors pay close attention to Federal Reserve decisions. Lower rates tend to support markets, but cutting rates too soon while inflation is still present can create new problems.
Right now, the Fed is in a wait-and-see position as it balances inflation and unemployment.

Watch the full episode for a deeper breakdown of what this means for your investments and long-term plan. Don’t forget to subscribe for more practical financial guidance.
https://youtu.be/d8rF9KFNr8U

If you’d like help with your investments and retirement plan, contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

05/05/2026

If the U.S. is more energy independent, why do gas prices still go up?

In this clip, we break down how energy markets really work. Even though the U.S. produces and exports more energy than it used to, oil is still part of a global market.
That means supply disruptions anywhere in the world can still impact prices here at home.

Watch the full episode for a deeper look at how global events affect your everyday costs and your financial plan. Don’t forget to subscribe for more straightforward financial guidance.
https://youtu.be/d8rF9KFNr8U

If you’d like help with your investments and retirement plan, contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

05/04/2026

Why does the economy feel worse than it actually is?

In this clip, we discuss the disconnect between negative headlines and the actual data. While inflation and unemployment have stayed relatively stable, sentiment around the economy has taken a more pessimistic turn.

We also discuss why we may be at a turning point, with inflation no longer declining and beginning to level off.

Watch the full episode for a deeper look at what these trends mean for your financial plan. Don’t forget to subscribe for more practical financial guidance.
https://youtu.be/d8rF9KFNr8U

If you’d like help with your investments and retirement plan, contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at [email protected].

Our team had a great time at the NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) Michigan Meeting.
05/04/2026

Our team had a great time at the NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors) Michigan Meeting.

Address

6350 West Michigan Avenue Suite 200
Lansing, MI
48917

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15173214832

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shotwell Rutter Baer Financial Planners posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Shotwell Rutter Baer Financial Planners:

Shortcuts

Share

Category