Retirement Planning
in Chicago, IL

A retirement plan should turn the savings you have worked for into dependable income for the years ahead. Our advisors build tax-aware retirement strategies for individuals and families in Chicago, with recommendations made in your best interest.

Request a Retirement Planning Consultation Call (312) 734-1415

FiduciaryObligated to act in your best interest
CFP^® ProfessionalsRigorous certification standards
Comprehensive PlanningIncome, Social Security, and Tax Strategies
Local OfficeChicago office, serving Cook County

Retirement Planning for Chicago Individuals and Families

Retirement is the point where decades of saving have to become a steady paycheck. The question changes from how much can I put away to how do I turn what I have into income that lasts, keeps pace with rising costs, and holds up through a long retirement. That shift deserves a written plan, not guesswork.

We help Chicago professionals, business owners, and retirees coordinate the moving parts: when to draw from a 401(k) or IRA, when to claim Social Security, how to manage taxes across a long retirement, and how the plan should adapt when markets or life change. Every recommendation we make is given in your best interest.

Why Retirement Planning Matters in Illinois

Illinois treats retirement income unusually well, but the federal picture and local costs still shape every decision. Here is why a coordinated plan pays off.

$24,500

2026 401(k) contribution limit (IRS)

Age 67

Full retirement age for anyone born in 1960 or later (Social Security Administration)

$0

Illinois tax on IRA, 401(k), and pension income (Illinois Department of Revenue)

Our Chicago Retirement Planning Services

Retirement planning brings together the decisions that shape your income for decades: which accounts to draw from and when, how to time Social Security, and how to keep taxes in check. These are the areas we focus on for Chicago clients.

Retirement Income Planning

We turn your accounts into a paycheck, mapping which to draw from and in what order so your income lasts and your tax bill stays manageable.

Social Security Timing

We model claiming ages against your other income so you can decide when to file with the full picture in view, not a rule of thumb.

Tax-Aware Withdrawals and Roth Conversions

We look at converting to Roth in lower-income years and sequencing withdrawals to smooth taxes across a long retirement.

401(k) and IRA Rollovers

We help you consolidate old employer plans and decide whether a rollover, in-plan option, or Roth conversion fits your situation.

Investment Management

We manage a portfolio matched to your income needs and risk tolerance, and adjust it as you move from saving into spending.

Estate and Legacy Coordination

We coordinate beneficiaries, account titling, and the Illinois estate tax threshold with your attorney so your wishes are carried out efficiently.

Why Chicago Retirees Work With Us

Choosing an advisor is really a decision about whom to trust with your family's future. Our value comes from experience, transparency, and a fiduciary standard of care that puts your interests first.

We are an independent, SEC-registered firm based in downtown Chicago, so you get a personal relationship with the advisor who builds your plan and the accountability that comes with the fiduciary standard.

Fiduciary Standard of Care
Our recommendations are made in your best interest, designed around your goals rather than product sales.
CFP^® Guidance
Our planning is led by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals held to the standards of the CFP Board.
Coordinated Advice
Investments, retirement income, tax awareness, and estate strategy are managed together as one plan.

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Richard Little, CFP^®

Managing Partner, Financial Advisor and Private Wealth Manager

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who earned his business administration and finance degree at Auburn University and managed multiple Edward Jones branch offices before founding the practice in 2020.

Jason Paplaski, CFP^®

Financial Advisor and Private Wealth Manager

Earned his accounting and finance degree from St. Ambrose University and built his experience at Scottrade, Charles Schwab, and LPL Financial before joining Serenity, where putting clients first came first.

Areas We Serve

We meet with clients at our downtown office on South Wabash Avenue and serve individuals and families across Chicago and the surrounding Cook County communities.

Chicago
The Loop
West Loop
Lincoln Park
Oak Park
Evanston
Cook County

Office333 South Wabash Avenue, Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone(312) 734-1415

Request a Retirement Planning Consultation in Chicago

If you want a clear, coordinated plan for your retirement income, we would welcome a conversation. There is no cost for the first meeting and no obligation to move forward.

Request a Retirement Planning Consultation Call (312) 734-1415

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois tax my retirement income?

No. Illinois does not tax distributions from 401(k)s, IRAs, or most pensions, and it does not tax Social Security benefits (Illinois Department of Revenue). Federal income tax still applies, so the order in which you draw from your accounts still matters for your overall tax picture.

How much can I contribute to my retirement accounts in 2026?

For 2026 the 401(k) elective deferral limit is $24,500, with an $8,000 catch-up at age 50 and over and a higher $11,250 catch-up for ages 60 to 63. The IRA limit is $7,500, with a $1,100 catch-up at 50 and over (IRS).

When should I claim Social Security?

Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later (Social Security Administration). Claiming earlier reduces your benefit and waiting past full retirement age increases it, so the right age depends on your other income, your health, and your spouse. We model the options with you.

At what age are required minimum distributions due?

Required minimum distributions currently begin at age 73 and are scheduled to rise to 75 in 2033 under the SECURE 2.0 Act (IRS). Planning withdrawals before that age can reduce the size of later required distributions and the taxes on them.

Do you meet with clients in person in Chicago?

Yes. Our office is at 333 South Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago, and we meet clients in person or by video, whichever you prefer.

Retirement Planning in Chicago, IL