The short version
You’ll know what to do next with your retirement accounts, cash flow, and insurance, and you’ll be able to make the big calls with numbers instead of hunches.
Most people reach out when the accounts have grown, the decisions stack up, and one wrong move could show up years later in taxes, risk, or income. You’ll have one plan that ties your 401(k), IRAs, pension and savings to clear choices. If something doesn’t add up, I’ll show you the math. Next, I’ll ask for a short set of statements so I can start mapping options.
I start by getting the facts in one place, then I run the numbers two ways: what happens if nothing changes, and what happens if you make a few specific moves. From there we pick the decisions that matter most, set the order, and put each one on a checklist you can follow without guessing.
About me
I’m Erin Klement, a financial planner. I do this work because most money problems are not about one account. They show up at the seams: a bigger 401(k) balance but no withdrawal plan, a pension decision without a tax picture, or old beneficiaries that never got updated after life changed.
People hire me when they want advice they can pressure-test. I’ll tell you what I’d keep, what I’d change, and what I’d leave alone, and I’ll explain why in plain numbers. I’m comfortable saying “don’t roll this over” or “keep the 401(k)” when that is the better move, even if it is the simpler one.
Selected work
Here are a few recent financial planning engagements that show how the work looks once it hits real accounts and real choices.
Portfolio
401(k) and IRA cleanup. Reviewed a mix of current 401(k), two old employer plans, and IRAs, then built a keep versus move decision by fees, fund menu, and rollover rules. Ended with one target allocation and a short list of accounts to consolidate.
Retirement income map. Built a retirement income and withdrawal plan around Social Security timing, a small pension, and taxable savings. Stress-tested different start dates and spending levels, then set a withdrawal order that reduced avoidable taxes in the first years.
Insurance check and fix. Compared life and disability coverage against income needs, debts, and the years left to retirement, then reviewed existing policies for exclusions, benefit periods, and overlap. Ended with a keep, change, or replace call for each policy.
“I finally understood the trade-offs, and the plan made the next steps obvious.”
Engineering supervisor, a couple planning retirement
How I work
You’ll see a simple rhythm: get the facts, put numbers on the options, make the decisions, then keep the plan in working order as life and markets move. I’ll tell you what I know, what I’m assuming, and what I still need to confirm before you act.
1. Set the baseline Week 1 You send statements for your 401(k), IRAs, brokerage, bank accounts, insurance, and any pension details you have. I build a snapshot of balances, contributions, fees, and current investments, then I flag gaps like missing beneficiaries or accounts that don’t match your risk tolerance. 2. Run the choices Weeks 2-3 I model the decisions that change the outcome: savings rate, retirement date, Social Security timing, pension elections, and a withdrawal order. I also look at rollover options and what you give up by moving an old plan. You’ll see a few scenarios with the assumptions written next to them. 3. Make the plan real Week 4 We meet to choose the path forward and turn it into actions: what to change in the 401(k), what to consolidate, what to keep, and what to update for taxes, insurance, and beneficiaries. If you want me to manage investments, this is where I explain the boundaries and get alignment before anything moves. 4. Keep it current Monthly At the start of each month I check in on contributions, account moves in progress, and any open items we agreed on. We use review meetings to adjust for raises, job changes, market moves, and new tax information, so the plan stays usable instead of turning into a binder you never open.
What it costs
Most people start with financial planning plus monthly check-ins, then add investment management only if you want me to run the portfolio day to day. Prices are per month.
Priced items
Getting started
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start making the calls in order, sign below and I’ll send the intake list the same day.
1. Sign this proposal to approve financial planning. 2. Pay the 30% setup invoice so I can begin the plan. 3. Send the requested statements and schedule our first working meeting.
Signature
Fee summary
Starting and payment
For financial planning, I invoice 30% to start and 70% when the plan is complete. For ongoing work, I invoice at the start of each month. Every invoice is due within 7 days.
What I need from you. To set the baseline, I’ll ask for account statements, plan documents, and benefit details. You’ll get a short list to work from. The timeline depends on when I have complete documents to work with.
What counts as complete. Financial planning is complete when you have a written plan and we’ve walked through the decisions, the numbers behind them, and the next steps. If you want help implementing, that moves into ongoing work.
Changes to the scope. If we decide to add work outside the original financial planning flow, like extra scenarios or deep dives into a new decision, I’ll describe the added work and fee in writing before I start.
Investment management. If you choose investment management, I only manage the accounts you authorize for management. Your 401(k) usually stays at your employer; I’ll guide the choices inside it, but I can’t trade it directly.
Third parties
Some steps depend on your employer plan, custodian, insurance carrier, or attorney. I’ll coordinate where it helps, but I can’t guarantee their timelines, approvals, or the accuracy of information they provide.
Cancellations and pauses. You can pause or cancel at any time by telling me in writing. You’ll only be billed for work already completed or in progress. Monthly work is billed at the start of the month and runs for that month.
How decisions get made. I’ll show you the numbers, assumptions, and trade-offs behind each recommendation. You make the final calls. If something important is still unknown, I’ll label it as an assumption until we can confirm it.
Ownership of your plan. Once your invoices are paid, the plan and supporting spreadsheets I provide are yours to keep and use. If you want me to share parts of it with another professional, I’ll do that with your okay.
