BLACKROCK RETIREMENT RESEARCH

How to Optimize Retirement Income

A holistic retirement-income framework examining spending ability, spending certainty, longevity risk, guaranteed income, asset allocation, and delayed Social Security claiming.

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Research SummaryBlackRock and Bipartisan Policy Center

What this resource explores

Accumulation is only half the retirement problem. BlackRock and the Bipartisan Policy Center modeled how several coordinated decisions may affect sustainable spending and downside risk during the decumulation years.

Source: BlackRock and Bipartisan Policy Center
Last reviewed: July 27, 2026

Key Takeaways

The modeled strategy combining guaranteed lifetime income with a revised asset allocation increased annual spending ability from savings by 29% and reduced downside risk by 33% versus the stated base case.
Delaying retirement and Social Security claiming from age 65 to 67 increased modeled total annual spending by another 16% and reduced downside risk by an additional 15%.
The paper emphasizes defining retirement objectives, identifying key risks, and building a holistic strategy across income sources and assets.
The results are illustrative model outcomes—not promises of actual performance.

Questions to Consider

What are the household’s goals for spending ability, certainty, and legacy?
How do Social Security timing and portfolio withdrawals interact?
Which assumptions in a model differ from the household’s actual circumstances?

SOURCE & ACCESS

Continue with the original source or the next SSFG step.

This is an original educational summary of third-party research. Modeled results are illustrative, rely on assumptions, and do not guarantee future results. BlackRock does not endorse SSFG.

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Educational use only.

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.