04/13/2026
Most executives spend decades building their company's future — and almost no time building their own.
I've seen it happen too often: brilliant leaders who optimized every quarter, every hire, every strategic move... but they never really planned for life after the title.
Here's what I think changes the game:
→ Maximize the basics — 401(k), IRA, HSA — before anything else. These exist for a reason.
→ About 10 years out, get honest about concentration risk. Your company's stock isn't a retirement plan. Methodically diversifying isn't a lack of confidence — it's discipline.
→ Deferred compensation is underutilized. For highly compensated executives, deferring salary or bonuses can be a powerful, tax-efficient strategy that most people overlook.
→ Have a real exit strategy, not a vague idea. Whether you're passing the business to family or targeting a specific buyer, the time to think about it is before the opportunity is upon you.
The same rigor you apply to succession planning, growth strategy, and capital allocation — it belongs in your personal retirement plan too.
Your future self deserves the same preparation you give your company.
How are you thinking about your own retirement runway?
raymondjames.com
