If you’ve ever watched Survivor, you know the motto: Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. Contestants scramble to protect their resources, form alliances, and find ways to stay in the game as long as possible.

For pre-retirees and retirees here in Tampa Bay, the game isn’t about fire-making challenges or hidden immunity idols—it’s about making sure your retirement income lasts as long as you do. And just like on Survivor, having a solid strategy can make all the difference.

Here are five ways to survivor-proof your retirement income.

1. Protect It: Build a Shield Around Your Money

On Survivor, players who fail to protect their resources usually don’t make it very far. The same goes for retirement income.

Protection starts with:

Diversification – Avoid putting all your assets in one place. A mix of accounts (401(k), IRA, Roth, taxable accounts) and investments can shield you from volatility.
Insurance – Think beyond health insurance. Long-term care coverage and life insurance may play key roles in keeping your nest egg intact.
Emergency Reserves – Just like a contestant hoarding coconuts, you need a cash reserve for unexpected expenses.

2. Guarantee It: Secure Reliable Income Sources

On the island, contestants who align with a strong alliance can often ride further in the game. In retirement, your “alliance” comes from guaranteed income sources that keep you afloat no matter what.

Social Security – The backbone of most retirements. The timing of when you claim benefits can impact your lifetime income.
Pensions – If you’re lucky enough to have one, understand your payout options.
Annuities – For some retirees, an annuity can serve as a paycheck for life.

These guaranteed streams help cover your essential expenses so market ups and downs don’t throw you off the island.

3. Grow It: Keep Pace with Inflation

On Survivor, fire represents life. In retirement, growth represents staying ahead of inflation.

If your money isn’t growing, it’s shrinking in real terms. That’s why your portfolio still needs some growth potential—even in retirement. The right mix of conservative bonds, dividend-paying stocks, and carefully chosen investments can help your income keep up with rising costs, without exposing you to unnecessary risk.

4. Reduce Taxes: Don’t Get Voted Off Early

Contestants sometimes get blindsided by surprise votes. Retirees get blindsided by surprise tax bills.

Which account you draw from (and when) can dramatically impact your tax picture. Consider:

Drawing from taxable accounts first to let retirement accounts grow.
Using Roth IRAs strategically for tax-free withdrawals.
Being mindful of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

A tax-smart withdrawal strategy can help your money last longer—without the IRS voting your income off the island early.

5. Not Outlive It: Plan for Longevity

In Survivor, the goal is to outlast the competition. In retirement, the goal is to make your money outlast you.

That means factoring in:

Longevity Risk – Many people underestimate how long they’ll live. Planning for a 30-year retirement isn’t unrealistic.
Healthcare Costs – These tend to rise later in life.
Legacy Goals – Do you want to leave money for kids, grandkids, or charities?

A clear income map, designed with your goals in mind, helps ensure you’re not scrambling for resources in your later years.

The Bottom Line

Retirement isn’t a reality TV game, but it does require strategy, foresight, and the ability to adapt to challenges. By protecting, guaranteeing, growing, and drawing your income wisely, you can set yourself up to “outwit, outplay, and outlast” retirement risks.

Want to see how survivor-ready your retirement income plan is? Download our free Retirement Survivor’s Checklist and let’s sit down together. We’ll help you make sure you’ve got the right strategy to stay in the game for as long as it lasts.

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Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: How to Make Your Retirement Income Survivor-Proof