Q. I plan to retire in 2019 at age 62 with $1.3 million in my Thrift Savings Plan. I am thinking that I will withdraw from the TSP more heavily in my first 8 years of retirement and wait until 70 to collect Social Security, because of the guaranteed 8 percent return rate. But I realize Social Security benefits may decrease or be limited in the future. And, obviously, if I die sooner rather than later, my survivors take a hit and the government doesn’t pay anything. Thoughts?
A. In general, I like your strategy unless you know you have a shorter-than-average life expectancy.
