RETIREMENT INCOME INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Let's make retirement work for you.
Turn your savings into steady income with investment management strategies designed to secure your financial future.
Retirement marks a significant shift – from earning a paycheck, to relying on your savings and investments for income.
Creating a reliable retirement paycheck from your portfolio to generate steady returns while protecting your wealth from inflation and market downturns requires a strategic blend of investment types and hands-on management.
AWP’s Retirement Income Investment Portfolios are carefully constructed to help retired investors:
AWP's custom, analysis-backed construction and proactive, fact-based management is designed to set your portfolio up for stable, steady income generation.
Custom Portfolio Construction
We don’t use cookie-cutter portfolios. We manage all portfolios in house based on your life goals.
In-House Analysis
AWP’s team of CFP®’s, CFA’s and asset management specialists work together collectively to design portfolios for our clients that we would personally invest in.
Leverage of 3rd-Party Analysts
AWP leverages the information available from top industry analysts and technology platforms to make informed decisions positively supported based on academic research.
Our approach is backed by decades of academic research and is intended to help you:
Every move we make takes into consideration your other income sources, like:
- Fixed Income & U.S. Treasuries
These investments typically offer lower but predictable returns. Historically, U.S. Treasuries have provided an average annual return of about 2% to 3% for short-term bonds and 3% to 4% for longer-term bonds. Corporate bonds and municipal bonds offer slightly higher returns depending on credit risk, ranging between 3% and 5% annually. Reasonable income distribution from a fixed-income portfolio could range from 2% to 4% annually, depending on the types of bonds chosen and their maturity.
- Dividend-Paying Stocks
Dividend stocks provide both regular income and the potential for capital appreciation. Large-cap, blue-chip companies with a history of stable dividends generally offer yields ranging from 2% to 5% annually. Additionally, the average annual total return from a dividend-producing stock portfolio, when accounting for growth and reinvestment, has historically ranged between 6% to 8%. A reasonable withdrawal from dividend income could fall between 3% and 5% annually, depending on the portfolio’s performance and allocation.
- Equity Market Strategies
Historically, the average annual return from a well-diversified stock portfolio has been around 8% to 10% over the long term, although market volatility can lead to periods of lower or negative returns. By employing a total return approach, retirees can focus on capturing gains during favorable market conditions and rebalancing their portfolio quarterly. This enables them to harvest gains while maintaining their equity allocation for future growth.
- Cash Buffer
A key feature of AWP’s total return strategy is maintaining a cash buffer of 3 to 5 years of living expenses. This buffer, typically held in conservative reserves like money market accounts or short-term Treasuries, ensures that income needs can be met during market downturns without having to sell stocks at a loss (this is where most people get hurt!). The returns from this portion of the portfolio are modest, generally ranging from 2% to 4% annually, but they serve to protect your portfolio’s longevity.
- Structured Equity Investments
These vehicles are typically customized to provide income and some level of capital protection. Structured equity investments may include downside protection in exchange for limited upside participation, creating a predictable income stream. Returns can vary widely based on the structure, but these investments often offer 4% to 8% annual income, depending on the underlying assets and market conditions. The trade-off is generally lower growth potential, but they provide steady income with less volatility.
- Direct Real Estate Investments
Purchasing and managing income-producing properties, such as residential or commercial rentals, allows retirees to generate a regular stream of income through rental payments. The historical return on direct real estate investments has averaged 7% to 10% annually, including both rental income and property appreciation. Rental income alone typically yields 4% to 6% annually, depending on location, property type, and market conditions. After factoring in property management costs and maintenance, retirees can reasonably expect to withdraw 4% to 5% of net rental income each year as part of their retirement paycheck.
- Yield Strategies
Yield strategies focus on conservative investments that offer consistent payouts, including fixed income securities, U.S. Treasuries, and dividend-paying stocks. These investments form the backbone of a reliable retirement paycheck, providing a blend of stability and income.
- Fixed Income & U.S. Treasuries
These investments typically offer lower but predictable returns. Historically, U.S. Treasuries have provided an average annual return of about 2% to 3% for short-term bonds and 3% to 4% for longer-term bonds. Corporate bonds and municipal bonds offer slightly higher returns depending on credit risk, ranging between 3% and 5% annually. Reasonable income distribution from a fixed-income portfolio could range from 2% to 4% annually, depending on the types of bonds chosen and their maturity.
Fixed Income & U.S. Treasuries
- Avg. Annual Returns*
Short-term bonds
2-3%
Long-term bonds
3-4%
Corporate & municipal bonds
3-5%
- DIVIDEND INCOME*
2-4%
* Can add disclaimers here
Yield Across Asset Classes
- Avg. Annual Returns*
3-4%
By combining these income-generating investments, retirees can enjoy a predictable and stable flow of income, typically yielding 3% to 4% annually on average across both asset classes.
* Can add disclaimers here
- Private Real Estate Funds
For those who prefer not to manage properties directly, private real estate funds offer exposure to income-producing properties without the day-to-day hassles of property management. These funds pool investor capital to purchase commercial or residential real estate, generating income from rent and potential appreciation. Private real estate funds have historically delivered annual returns in the range of 8% to 12%, depending on the fund’s strategy. Distributions from these funds generally range from 5% to 7% annually, making them a strong income-producing option for retirees looking to diversify.
Build Sustainable Lifetime Income.
Let's create your retirement paycheck.
Our Investment Strategies
To form the backbone of a reliable retirement paycheck, providing a blend of stability and income, we leverage the following investment strategies. Depending on your income needs and risk/volatility tolerance, your portfolio will be a combination of:
YIELD STRATEGIES
Fixed Income & U.S. Treasuries Coupled with Dividend-Producing Stocks
Yield strategies focus on conservative investments that offer consistent payouts, including fixed income securities, U.S. Treasuries, and dividend-paying stocks. These investments form the backbone of a reliable retirement paycheck, providing a blend of stability and income.
- Avg. Annual Returns
Short-term bonds
4.30%1
Long-term bonds
6.12%2
Corporate Investment Grade
UP TO 8.48%3
- Avg. Annual YIELD & RETURNS
3-5%4
9.9%5
- DIVIDEND INCOME
3-5%6
Reasonable Income Potential
By combining these income-generating investments, retirees can enjoy a predictable and stable flow of income, typically yielding 3% to 4% annually on average across both asset classes.
- ANNUAL INCOME DISTRIBUTION*
3-4%
* Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss.
1 3 Month T Bills 1974 - 2023; Stern School of Business, NYU
2 10 Year UST 1974 - 2023; Stern School of Business, NYU
3 Baa Corporate Bond 1974 - 2023; Stern School of Business, NYU
4 Historical dividend yields for the S&P 500 have typically ranged from between 3% to 5%; Investopedia
5 For example, a hypothetical $100,000 investment made in 1990 in a fund tracking the S&P 500® Index would have been worth more than $2.1 million by the end of 2022 had dividends been reinvested—but only $1.1 million had they not.; Charles Schwab & Co
6 Historical dividend yields for the S&P 500 have typically ranged from between 3% to 5%. Investopedia
TOTAL RETURN STRATEGIES
Growth with Income Distribution
Total return strategies focus on maximizing both capital appreciation and income generation. This approach leverages equity investments to participate in market growth while providing income through regular rebalancing and withdrawal strategies.
- KEY FEATURES
- TRADE-OFF
Potential for strong returns over long-term, but market volatility is always a risk.
- INCOME POTENTIAL
11.91%1 historical returns from a diversified stock portfolio
- KEY FEATURES
- TRADE-OFF
- INCOME POTENTIAL
Reasonable Income Potential
Combining growth and buffer strategies, retirees can expect 4-5% annual income distribution.
- ANNUAL INCOME DISTRIBUTION*
4-5%
* Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss.
1 S&P 500 1974 - 2023; Stern School of Business, NYU
2 Historical dividend yields for the S&P 500 have typically ranged from between 3% to 5%; Investopedia
ASSET-BACKED STRUCTURED EQUITY
Reliable Income with Downside Protection
Asset-backed structured equity strategies offer an alternative for retirees seeking a balance between income generation and capital protection. These investments are typically tied to tangible assets like real estate or infrastructure, and they offer structured returns with downside protection.
- KEY FEATURES
Provide income with capital protection. Often include downside protection in exchange for limited upside.
- TRADE-OFF
- INCOME POTENTIAL
Reasonable Income Potential*
For retirees seeking a blend of income and stability, structured equity products can generate 6.5% in annual income distributions, and in some cases an opportunity for an additional 4 to 6% in long-term capital appreciation. These vehicles have unique features offering protection against significant market downturns of equity market exposure.
- ANNUAL INCOME DISTRIBUTION
6.5%1
* Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss.
1 CLOA 30 Day SEC Yield: 6.70% as of 10/1/2024, BlackRock, Inc; PAAA SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield: 6.53% as of 8/31/2024, Prudential Financial, Inc
INCOME-PRODUCING REAL ESTATE
Direct Investments and Private Real Estate Funds
Real estate is an attractive option for retirees looking for stable, inflation-protected income. Direct ownership of rental properties and investments in private real estate funds provide consistent cash flow and potential long-term appreciation.
- KEY FEATURES
- TRADE-OFF
Reliable stream of rental income in exchange for higher maintenance.
- ANNUAL INCOME DISTRIBUTION*
4-5%
Net rental income alone can bring 4-5% annually.
- KEY FEATURES
- TRADE-OFF
- ANNUAL INCOME DISTRIBUTION
5-7%
Investment in unregistered securities involves heightened risks, costs, conflicts of interest, and lack of liquidity that are typically not associated with investments in registered securities. Clients should discuss these unique aspects of unregistered securities before investing. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
OUR COMPASS
AWP's Core Investment Philosophy
As a fiduciary, our job is to make investment decisions that are in your best interest. This means ignoring the daily headlines and sticking with evidence-based solutions. Our investment philosophy is centered on this principle, along with the following core tenets:
Value-Driven Investment Decisions
May provide for a margin of safety that results in a lower probability of losing permanent capital, which may ultimately lead to long term wealth accumulation. The goal is to create an asset mix that seeks to provide the optimal balance between expected risk and return for a long-term investment horizon.
Strategic Asset Allocation
A well-diversified portfolio centered around your long-term goals. Just because an investment is available (like gold), doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. For example, corporate bonds may behave like stocks during major market downturns, which doesn’t provide adequate diversification for a retiree. We focus on investing in asset classes that:
With a Tactical Tilt
Reducing overpriced assets and purchasing underpriced assets will naturally create a “buy low, sell high” framework to protect capital in down markets and reduce volatility.
Identifying Top Performers
Allocating meaningful capital to highly qualified managers and ideas is better than over diversifying a portfolio. We seek out investment managers and funds that are in the top quartile relative to their peers.
Diversifying Strategies
It’s unlikely that a single investment firm can internally employ the “best” talent to trade all types of securities and strategies; therefore, we seek out highly qualified independent third‐party managers within each asset class to manage our clients’ capital, where appropriate.
Sell Only When Necessary
As Warren Buffett famously said, his favorite holding period is “forever” — and we share that philosophy. While holding an investment indefinitely may not be practical for most retirement investors, we design portfolios with low turnover. Each time an investment is bought or sold, costs are incurred, including not only visible costs like transaction fees and taxes but also hidden costs such as bid-ask spreads. These expenses can erode your returns. To maximize your investment returns and minimize taxes, we intentionally select investments with low turnover.
Reducing Costs
We use low-cost or no-cost investment options to lower the “hurdle” to achieving gains, reducing the need to take on unnecessary risks to meet your performance goals. Research from Morningstar indicates that the cost of your investments is one of the strongest predictors of future returns. Simply put, low-cost investments have historically outperformed those with higher fees.
Volatility Management
Financial losses come from selling investments when the market is down. People do this because they either a) take on too much risk or volatility exposure to begin with or b) need the cash when the market is down. We make sure our growth investors have an adequate reserve of cash to exploit market opportunities when they become available, rather than becoming a victim to them.
BUILD YOUR RETIREMENT PAYCHECK
Let's turn your investments into "mailbox money."
Work with AWP to design an investment strategy that provides steady, reliable income – giving you financial peace of mind throughout retirement.
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Helping first responders retire well since 19991.
Atlantic Wealth Partners (AWP) has built a legacy of trust and expertise in financial planning for over two decades. Our deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by first responders has allowed us to provide tailored retirement and financial planning solutions.
Our legacy is rooted in dedication, longstanding relationships, personalized service, and a deep commitment to supporting the financial well-being of those who serve our communities. See the history of our firm and how we have been catering to the needs of Florida’s First Responders since 1999 here.
When you work with Atlantic Wealth Partners, you get more than just an advisor – you gain a team of seasoned professionals that are held to a higher standard of financial planning and estate planning, working to guide you through your financial journey with the respect and integrity you deserve.
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