MSU Employees: Not sure what to do with your TIAA or Fidelity account?
You’ve done a great job saving.
You’ve contributed consistently.
You’ve built real retirement assets.
But at some point, the question changes from:
“Am I saving enough?”
to
“How does this actually turn into income I can live on?”
That’s where things start to feel unclear.
You might be thinking:
-
Should I annuitize my TIAA account?
-
How much guaranteed income do I actually need?
-
What should stay invested and flexible?
-
Am I taking too much risk… or not enough?
-
How does Fidelity Investments compare to TIAA for my situation?
-
When should I take Social Security?
-
What does retirement actually look like month to month?
-
Am I on track… or just hoping I am?
These are the right questions.
Most people just don’t have a place to get clear answers.
Many MSU employees are eventually asked whether they should turn part of their TIAA account into guaranteed lifetime income.
Sometimes that can make sense.
But that decision should be based on your full financial picture:
-
Your income needs
-
Your lifestyle goals
-
Your flexibility needs
-
Your other income sources
Not just a default option or a single recommendation. You don't have to figure this out on your own.
Once money is annuitized, it often becomes less flexible.
That’s not good or bad—
but it should be intentional.
The issue is not just:
“What should I invest in?”
The real issue is:
-
How much income do I need?
-
What should be guaranteed?
-
What should stay flexible?
-
How do all my pieces work together?
That’s what turns savings into a real retirement plan.
We’ve worked with MSU employees for over 18 years and understand how these plans work.
But more importantly—
we help you understand how they fit into your life.
MSU Retirement Clarity Check
A short, 15-minute conversation to help you:
-
Understand your current setup
-
Identify gaps or risks
-
Get a second opinion on annuitization or income strategies
-
Clarify what your next step should be
This is not a full financial plan.
It’s a starting point to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.
What does it cost to work together?
This is one of the most common questions we get.
The answer depends on what you’re looking for, but most MSU employees we work with fall into one of two approaches:
• A one-time financial plan to get clarity and direction
• An ongoing relationship that includes planning and investment guidance
Initial planning typically falls between $1,200 and $2,000, depending on complexity.
For those who choose to work together long-term, planning is often incorporated into the ongoing relationship.
We’ll always walk through this clearly before moving forward so you know exactly what to expect.