BARRON’S ARTICLE SUMMARY

Building a Retirement Paycheck That Lasts

A retirement-income article discussing essential expenses, Social Security, pensions, portfolio withdrawals, immediate and deferred income annuities, liquidity, longevity, and the transition from saving to spending.

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Article SummaryBarron’s — Elizabeth O’Brien

What this resource explores

Many households retire with an account balance rather than a pension. This article examines how Social Security, portfolio withdrawals, and certain income annuities may be combined to create a retirement paycheck.

Source: Barron’s — Elizabeth O’Brien
Last reviewed: July 27, 2026

Key Takeaways

The article suggests beginning with essential expenses and subtracting dependable income such as Social Security and pensions to identify any remaining income gap.
Immediate and deferred income annuities are presented as ways to transfer some longevity risk to an insurer.
Liquidity, inflation protection, insurer strength, fees, death benefits, and the amount committed are important tradeoffs.
Delaying Social Security may provide a larger inflation-adjusted lifetime income source for some households.

Questions to Consider

How much dependable income is needed for essential expenses?
How much liquidity must remain available for emergencies and opportunities?
Would delaying Social Security or changing withdrawal order improve the plan?

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This information is general and should not be treated as individualized investment, tax, legal, insurance, Social Security, or Medicare advice. Sources named on this page do not endorse Solutions for Seniors Financial Group.