Planning for and living in retirement.
Whether you’re a few years away from retirement, ready to retire, or already there, we can help.
At Principal®, we’re committed to being here for you, bringing expertise, clarity, and caring support when you need it most. We cut through the clutter to arm you with information to help you reach your retirement goals.
Check out the topics below for additional information and resources.

Typically, retirement income is made up of several sources of guaranteed and non-guaranteed income withdrawn strategically in retirement to replace your paycheck.
If you’re unsure if you’re on track for the retirement you want, talk to your financial professional. Taking small steps now to plan for that might make a big difference once you retire.
Start planning:
Outliving your savings is a common concern among retirees. That is why it’s important to create a retirement income plan that will allow you to maintain your lifestyle throughout your retirement.
Talk with your financial professional to learn more about how and when you access your retirement funds can have an impact on your income in retirement.
Go deeper:
When you retire, you typically have these options for the money in your workplace retirement plan:
- Roll it over to an IRA
- Keep it where it is
- Move it to another retirement plan
- Cash out your balance
Each choice has pros and cons. Learn more about each one.
If you’re nearing retirement and ready to talk about your options, talk to your financial professional.
Go deeper:
Social Security provides guaranteed lifetime income, but it’s not meant to be your only income in retirement. Instead, you might use it strategically along with other income sources, as a part of your overall retirement plan.
Get more details:
- When should I start taking Social Security?
- How Social Security may be different when you retire
- Who is eligible for spousal and survivorship Social Security benefits?
- Video: Social Security deep dive
- Video: 3 mistakes to avoid and an outlook
If you want to talk about your plan for retirement, talk to your financial professional.
Healthcare decisions are an important piece of retirement planning. Medicare helps cover some of the cost but knowing which option to choose or how to budget can be complicated.
Explore Medicare and how to budget for health-care costs in retirement with these resources.
Learn more:
- How to budget for the cost of health care in retirement
- Medicare enrollment deadlines that matter to your finances
- Worksheet: Paying for healthcare in retirement
If you’re like many people, you want to know if you’ll have enough in retirement, talk to your financial professional.
After you reach age 73, you're required to take out some of your savings from retirement accounts like 401(k)s, 403(b)s and most kinds of IRAs. Generally, it may be best to consider your RMDs first when taking money out of variable income sources.
Go deeper:
With every big financial decision, it’s important to talk to your financial professional.
- Watch a webinar: For easy-to-understand information to help you plan for the future with confidence, view our library of pre-recorded webinars or register for one of our upcoming live monthly webinars.
- Read more: Access articles on all things retirement preparation and planning at principal.com/retire.
- Don't have a financial professional? Call 800-547-7754 to get started. Or visit principal.com/connect-advisor-your-area for help finding someone in your area.
Why Principal
Clarity
Let’s cut through the clutter. We’ll explain your options and together navigate what may be best for you.
Confidence
Informed and supported, you can feel confident you’re making the right choices for your financial future, at this point in time.
Consistency
We’ve been helping retirement plan clients for over 80 years.