Retirement Planning

Retirement Planning Services in Chicago, IL

Nobody can predict the future, so life after retirement can be a huge question mark. A good retirement plan assumes a longer life to ensure the money lasts, and your plan should reflect actual investment results. Working with retirement plan advisors in Chicago helps you to create a retirement program that works.

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4000+ Happy Clients

We service 1,000+ businesses and 3,000+ individual clients, many of them located nationwide.

39 Years of Experience

Since 1986, we’ve provided comprehensive tax and accounting solutions for individuals and businesses.

52 States Serving

With our technology stack, we provide remote accounting services for you and your business, regardless the location.

Experienced Chicago Retirement Plan Advisors

Susan S. Lewis LTD. brings over a quarter century of tax and accounting expertise to clients in search of retirement planning in Chicago. As a solution-oriented firm that serves clients throughout the United States of America, we’re proud to offer customized services to each individual or business that makes up our clientele.

The legal or tax advice is by no means general but always unique to the client. Retirement planning may be a simple affair or a complicated challenge with many moving parts. Either way, we can help you create a future that keeps your financial wellness front and center.

Retirement Planning Services for Businesses and Individuals

Whether you're a business owner seeking to attract and retain talent through strong retirement benefits, or an individual charting your path to financial security in retirement, we have the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals.

Comprehensive Retirement Plan Development

We collaborate with you to assess your current financial picture, including income, savings, and debts. We then project your future retirement expenses and craft a personalized strategy to ensure a secure retirement. This strategy considers factors like Social Security benefits, pensions, and your investment portfolio.

Tax Optimization for Retirement

Minimize your tax burden in retirement with our guidance. We advise on maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, and develop strategies for Roth conversions to further optimize your tax savings.

Estate Planning Integration

We ensure your retirement plan aligns seamlessly with your estate planning goals. This helps your assets pass smoothly to your beneficiaries and minimizes estate taxes. We collaborate with your estate planning attorney for a comprehensive plan.

Retirement Income Analysis

Unveil your retirement reality. Our income analysis assesses current finances and projects future income streams (Social Security, pensions, investments) to identify gaps and bridge them with strategic planning for a secure and worry-free retirement.

Retirement Grows Closer with Each Passing Day

Don’t wait to prepare. Contact us to get started.

Choosing the Right Retirement Savings Account

Saving for retirement is crucial, but with various options available, it can be overwhelming to select the right account. This section will explore some of the most common retirement savings accounts in the US, outlining their key features and tax implications. Remember, the best choice depends on your unique financial situation and goals.

Here are some of the most common retirement savings accounts in the US:

Traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account): Contributions may be tax-deductible depending on your income, and earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal in retirement, which are taxed as income.
Roth IRA: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
401(k): Employer-sponsored retirement plan where you contribute a portion of your paycheck before taxes. Many employers offer matching contributions, essentially free money to boost your retirement savings.
403(b): Similar to a 401(k), but for employees of public schools and certain non-profit organizations.
SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension IRA): For self-employed individuals and small business owners. Allows for high contribution limits.
SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees): Another option for small businesses to offer retirement savings plans to employees, with features designed to be easy to administer.

Choosing the right retirement savings account depends on your individual circumstances and tax goals. Our CPAs are happy to advise you on which option best suits your retirement planning strategy.

Our Retirement Planning Process

At Susan S. Lewis LTD., we are methodical in our delivery of retirement services. One step builds on another until your plan is in place, at work, and completely sustainable.

Schedule an Appointment
The first step when evaluating retirement plans is for the client to contact us and schedule an appointment, either in person or remotely. In this meeting, we establish parameters for the firm’s involvement.
Explore Your Business
Next, our firm gets to know your business and finances. The foundation of informed decisions is knowledge, and we don’t proceed until we have a sufficient understanding of your cash flow, entity structure, and other aspects of your particular situation. From there, we’ll be able to fit you with an ideal retirement plan.
Analyze Your Financial Data
Thirdly, our firm does a deep dive into understanding your financial data. We formulate scenarios that provide a retirement plan design that generates comfortable incomes through optimal investment. We approach this task from all four corners of your individual situation or business outlook.
Presentation
Finally, we present you with the most stable and highest-yielding retirement plan available.

Why Choose Our Chicago Firm for Retirement Planning?

Frankly, there are many CPA retirement planning advisors and tax advisors that work with future retirees. Lewis.cpa stands out from the crowd.

Satisfied Clients

We boast over 4,000 clients, past and present, who attest to their complete satisfaction with our tax and accounting services.

Remote Services

Although Chicago-based, we serve clients in every state in the union plus the District of Columbia. We master the tax codes and financial regulations of every jurisdiction.

Experience

Longevity counts for a lot: Lewis.cpa is in its 38th year of advising clients on assets, investing, and responsible business practices.

Deep Expertise

Our accountants and advisors have proven their financial mettle in the most challenging cases.

Client Reviews

Susan S. Lewis LTD and her entire staff has always guided me with their extensive knowledge and confidence. Love working with them

Mary Ann Poulos

5.0

The office is professional, the staff is responsive, and most importantly the work is exceptional. The depth of Sue's knowledge, and the support of her team are truly unmatched

Marieantoinette Zamora

5.0

Susan and her team are the absolute best! Their work is exceptional and the service is unmatched! I would highly recommend them

The Aesthetic Professional

5.0

FAQs About Retirement Planning

What is a retirement plan?
A retirement plan is a financial strategy designed to help individuals accumulate savings and investments to provide income and support during their retirement years. Retirement plans are essential because they enable individuals to maintain their standard of living and cover expenses when they’re no longer earning a regular income from employment.
Retirement plans typically involve setting aside a portion of income during one's working years, which is then invested in various assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other financial instruments. These investments are intended to grow over time, generating returns that can fund retirement expenses.
There are several types of retirement plans available, including:
- Employer-Sponsored Plans: These are retirement plans offered by employers to their employees as part of their benefits package. Common examples include 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans (for employees of certain nonprofit organizations), and pension plans.
- Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): IRAs are retirement accounts that individuals can establish and contribute to on their own, independent of their employer. Traditional IRAs offer tax-deferred growth, while Roth IRAs provide tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans: These retirement plans are designed for individuals who are self-employed or own small businesses. Examples include SEP-IRAs (Simplified Employee Pension IRAs) and Solo 401(k) plans.
- Government-Sponsored Plans: These retirement plans are provided or backed by the government and include Social Security benefits and government employee retirement plans such as the Federal
Employees Retirement System (FERS) or the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
Retirement plans often come with certain tax advantages, such as tax-deferred growth, tax deductions for contributions, or tax-free withdrawals in retirement, depending on the type of plan and the jurisdiction's tax laws.
Overall, the purpose of a retirement plan is to help individuals save and invest strategically so that they can achieve financial security and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle during their retirement years.
How will Social Security impact my retirement income?
Social Security provides a baseline income, but it typically won't cover all your expenses. We can factor in your estimated Social Security benefits when planning your retirement strategy.
What role do investments play in retirement planning?
Investments can help grow your retirement nest egg. Our CPAs can develop a personalized investment strategy aligned with your risk tolerance and retirement goals.

Let’s Get Started

The professionals at Lewis.cpa are eager to be your retirement plan advisors. Trust us to give sound advice regarding your retirement and getting ready for it. Contact us today.

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