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Income in Retirement

Merrill Guided Investing offers strategies for income in retirement

Merrill Guided Investing is an investment advisory programFootnote 2

Make use of some or all of your retirement savings by investing in a portfolio designed to help meet your income needs in retirement

Benefits

Portfolios designed to provide predictable, recurring income

Portfolios are designed for predictable income over a period of time at a frequency of your choosingFootnote 1

Helps you keep up with inflation

Your investments have the opportunity to grow, with options to prioritize low risk or more growth

Offers a flexible investment plan

Start, stop or adjust your withdrawal plan without penalty at any time — you're never locked in

How does it work?

If you're 5 years or less from using your retirement assets, or you're already drawing on your retirement assets, here's how you can get started.
Step 1

Define your retirement goal

Use our online tools or connect with a Merrill advisor to define your retirement goal so we can help put your plan into action.Footnote 2
Step 2

Merrill recommends a portfolio for you

You select a retirement strategy that is designed to offer predictable income and aligns with your risk tolerance.Footnote 1

Risk tolerance levels:

Low
You'd like a higher income. You are willing to accept minimal risk in order to have lower potential increases to future income and a remaining balance. You are not willing or able to take much risk for your income needs.
Medium
You'd like a modest initial income. You are willing to accept some risk in order to have more potential for increases to future income and a remaining balance. You are willing and able to take a moderate level of risk for your income needs.
High
You'd like a lower initial income. You are willing to accept more risk in order to have greater potential increases to future income and a remaining balance. You are willing and able to take a higher level of risk for your income needs.
Step 3

Set up a withdrawal plan

Establish a withdrawal plan and set up a deposit into your Bank of America bank account or an account of your choosing — you decide the timing and frequency.

Merrill Guided Investing

Merrill Guided Investing could help you meet your income needs in retirement.

If you want to learn more, a Merrill advisor can help

Call us

Set up a meeting

Frequently Asked Questions

Footnotes 1 The income-focused goal minimum initial investment is $50,000. The income-focused goal is designed for retirees or those retiring within five years who expect to use some or all of the assets for the goal to generate a steady income during retirement for retirement expenses up to 25 years. Investment returns and the amount of income and recurring withdrawals received over the course of your time horizon are subject to changes due to general economic conditions, general market fluctuations, and the risks inherent in securities markets. You may experience losses or the goal's strategy may result in you not receiving adequate income, or income consistent with your hypothetical projected income, at and through retirement due to the risks typical of investing.

The income-focused goal does not ensure that you will have assets in your account sufficient to cover your retirement expenses which depends on, among other things, the amount of money you have invested in the strategy, the returns of the markets over time, the amount you spend in retirement, and your other assets and income sources. The income-focused goal and strategies do not take into account any assets, investments or income you have (such as Social Security benefits or other retirement income) other than the stated initial investment or current investment balance in your account. Following enrollment, a change to your goal or strategy, stopping or modifying the amount or duration of any recurring withdrawals, may decrease the likelihood of achieving your goal. In particular, if your withdrawal amount is more than the actual income amount, your future annual withdrawal amounts for the rest of your withdrawal period could be reduced significantly.

We do not provide a guarantee that sufficient income will be achieved to provide adequate income THROUGH YOUR STATED END YEAR OR THROUGHOUT RETIREMENT. This income-focused goal and strategy is not an annuity and you should consider whether an annuity product may be more appropriate for you.

Footnote asterisk 
Please review the applicable Merrill Guided Investing Program Brochure (PDF) or Merrill Guided Investing with Advisor Program Brochure (PDF) for information including the program fee, rebalancing, and the details of the investment advisory program. Your recommended investment strategy will be based solely on the information you provide to us for this specific investment goal and is separate from any other advisory program offered with us. If there are multiple owners on this account, the information you provide should reflect the views and circumstances of all owners on the account. If you are the fiduciary of this account for the benefit of the account owner or account holder (e.g., trustee for a trust or custodian for an UTMA), please keep in mind that these assets will be invested for the benefit of the account owner or account holder. Merrill Guided Investing is offered with and without an advisor. Merrill, Merrill Lynch, and/or Merrill Edge investment advisory programs are offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") and Managed Account Advisors LLC ("MAA") an affiliate of MLPF&S. MLPF&S and MAA are registered investment advisers. Investment adviser registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Footnote 
You have choices about what to do with your employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs and goals, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over an employer-sponsored plan from your old job to your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is. Each choice may offer different investment options and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and different types of protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information visit our rollover page or call Merrill at 888.637.3343.
Footnote 4 Did you know that there are two ways to move assets from one IRA to another? The most common is a transfer. This is when you transfer assets from an IRA held at one financial institution to an IRA at another. You may directly transfer assets between investment firms as frequently as you wish. The second, less common approach is called An indirect rollover. Rollovers occur when you withdraw assets from an IRA and then "roll" those assets back into the same IRA or into another one within 60 days. IRS rules limit you to one rollover per client per twelve month period. For more information on rolling over your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or SEP IRA, visit our rollover page or call a Merrill rollover specialist at 888.637.3343.

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Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF).

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp").
Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA:
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value
Are Not Deposits Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity


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