Near Retirement

10-15 years from retirement.

READ2 min · UPDATED2026-04-30

Reviewed against primary sources cited at the bottom of this page.

The decade before retirement is when sequence of returns risk, Roth conversions, Social Security timing, Medicare, and IRMAA all become real decisions. Not because the math is harder, because the decisions interact in ways they didn't before.

This page covers personal finance fundamentals that apply regardless of your view on Bitcoin or fiat currency.

This page covers US-specific accounts and tax law. Outside the US? The interaction between drawdown timing, public benefits, and tax brackets follows the same logic; the specific rules differ.

THE SHORT VERSION

You've been doing the right things. The balance is real now. The next 10-15 years are the most complex of your financial life because the decisions interact. A Roth conversion affects your Medicare premium two years later. When you claim Social Security affects how much you draw from your portfolio. This page maps those interactions.

Start here

1 · THE DECADE PLAN

Financial planning by decade, the 50s and 60s sections

What changes at each five-year band as you approach the drawdown phase.

2 · THE WINDOW

Roth conversion timing

The window between early retirement (or reduced income) and RMD age is the optimal conversion window. Most people miss it.

3 · THE BIGGEST CLAIM-AGE LEVER

Social Security strategy: 62 vs 67 vs 70

Break-even analysis. The 8% per year delayed-retirement credit is hard to beat risk-free.

Your most important tools

Roth Conversion Sweet Spot

How much to convert each year to minimize lifetime taxes without crossing into a higher bracket.

IRMAA Estimator

See whether a conversion this year raises your Medicare premium two years later.

Retirement on Track

Where you stand against your number, by age cohort and target.

Common questions

Should I still be doing Roth conversions?

Almost certainly yes. The window between reduced income and RMD age is the optimal conversion window because your tax bracket is at its lowest. Roth conversion timing →

If you can delay to 70, benefits increase 8% per year past your full retirement age. The break-even versus claiming at 67 is typically around age 80. Social Security strategy →

What is IRMAA and should I worry about it?

IRMAA is a Medicare surcharge for higher earners based on income from two years prior. Large Roth conversions can trigger it. Plan around it. IRMAA explainer →

How should I change my investment allocation?

Sequence of returns risk is now real. A 40% crash in year 1 of retirement has permanent consequences. Consider shifting some equity risk to bonds, cash, or Bitcoin as a diversifier. FIRE math + sequence risk →

Do I need long-term care insurance?

The optimal window to buy is 55-60. Above 65 it becomes very expensive or unavailable. Long-term care insurance →

Reading path

Financial planning by decade · the 50s and 60s
Roth conversion timing
Roth 5-year rules
IRMAA
Social Security strategy
Long-term care insurance
Wills and estate planning
FIRE · sequence of returns risk section

Last updated 2026-04-30. Not financial advice. Do your own research.

Subscribe via RSS for new articles.