Rather than a vague list, here are specific, checkable rules retirees actually use. The “4% rule” (withdraw about 4% of your portfolio in year one, adjusting for inflation after) comes from the 1994 Bengen study and has been widely revisited since, including by Morningstar research suggesting a more conservative 3.3-3.8% starting rate in some market conditions.

Delaying Social Security past full retirement age increases your benefit by about 8% per year up to age 70, a real, published SSA.gov rule, one of the few guaranteed returns available in retirement planning.

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s begin at age 73 under current IRS rules (SECURE 2.0 Act), and missing one carries a real penalty, up to 25% of the amount not withdrawn, reduced to 10% if corrected promptly.

These are the concrete, sourced mechanics of retirement income planning, worth discussing with a fee-based fiduciary advisor for your specific numbers.