Retirement Planning Services

Retirement Planning is one of life’s biggest questions — and one of the most personal. At Milne Financial Planning, we believe retirement isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s a transition to a new chapter of life and purpose. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, our retirement planning services offer clarity and tailored guidance to help you define and pursue your goals. We serve residents of the Greater Burlington area, as well as individuals across Vermont and New Hampshire, and we’d be glad to work with you to make sense of it all.

We take a holistic approach to retirement planning — looking at every piece of your financial life, not just the numbers. That means considering how Social Security timing, investment choices, tax strategies, inflation risk, healthcare costs, and other elements fit together for you. As a fee-only retirement planner, we’re committed to advice that’s transparent and conflict-free — you won’t hear product pitches or sales incentives from us, ever. Connect with us today to get started.

A big part of effective retirement planning is retirement income planning — figuring out how to turn your savings and investments into dependable income you can rely on. We’ll look at:

• How to coordinate Social Security and pension options
  
• Whether converting traditional retirement accounts (like IRAs) makes sense
  
• How much to draw from taxable vs. tax-advantaged accounts
  
• Creating a strategy that adapts to market changes and inflation

The goal isn’t to predict the future — it’s to prepare for it, in ways you feel comfortable with. Our clients tell us they appreciate having someone walk them through the “what-ifs” and help them make decisions that feel right for them.

If you’re searching for a retirement planner in Burlington VT or nearby, we’re here — and we’re local. We understand the lifestyle, cost of living, and retirement expectations many Vermonters have. That perspective makes a difference when we’re crafting plans that feel realistic and responsive to your unique priorities.

Here’s how working with us typically unfolds:

Choosing a fee-only advisor means you get guidance that’s not influenced by commissions or product sales. Milne Financial Planning has been advising clients since 1996, always under a fiduciary standard — meaning we’re legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest. It’s a simple distinction, but it matters a lot when planning something as important as your retirement. Learn more here- FeeOnlyNetwork.com

What You Can Expect

Many of our clients come to us with questions like:

• “Will my savings last through retirement?”
  
• “Should I delay Social Security?”
  
• “What happens to my retirement income if the market drops?”
  
• “How do taxes affect my retirement withdrawals?”

There are rarely easy answers — but with experience and thoughtful planning, you can feel better about the choices ahead. And we’ll be right there to help sort it out with you.

What age should I start retirement planning?
You can start at almost any age, but the earlier you begin, the more options you’ll have. People in their 50s and 60s often start fine-tuning income plans, while even younger individuals benefit from early planning habits.

Is retirement income planning different from financial planning?
Yes. Retirement income planning focuses specifically on creating a strategy for your income once you stop working. Financial planning is broader, covering everything from savings to debt management and investments.

Am I saving enough for retirement?
This largely depends on how far you are from retirement, as well as what your ideal retirement looks like. We can review these details with you to help assess where you stand today.

What makes Milne Financial Planning different?
We’re independent, fee-only, and fiduciary — meaning our advice is unbiased, structured around your goals rather than product sales. We build relationships and help you understand not just what your options are, but why they matter.