How the Perennial Income Model™ Helps Intermountain Caregivers Turn Benefits into a Reliable Retirement Paycheck

You’ve spent decades accumulating a pension benefit and building your retirement savings through Intermountain Health’s 401(k). Perhaps you have accumulated additional assets in HSAs, IRAs, or spousal plans along the way. But now comes the bigger question: How do I turn these assets into income I can actually live on, month after month, year after year?

At Peterson Wealth Advisors, we work with Intermountain Health Retirees to create exactly that: a structured, sustainable, and stress-free retirement income plan.

Our proprietary solution is called the Perennial Income Model™, and here’s how it transforms uncertainty into clarity.

The Problem With Traditional Withdrawal Strategies

Most retirees lack an actual retirement income plan built specifically to address their unique needs. Instead, they are told to “just withdraw 4% each year.” But what happens when the market drops 20%? What if inflation spikes or your expenses shift? And how do you know which accounts to tap first?

For Intermountain caregivers that are used to steady paychecks, this kind of guesswork feels risky and uncomfortable.

You need a smarter strategy that:

• Matches your current investments with your future income needs
• Minimizes market risk when you’re most vulnerable
• Gives you confidence to spend, without fear of running out

That’s where the Perennial Income Model™ comes in.

How the Perennial Income Model™ Works

We divide your retirement into six 5-year segments, each with a specific responsibility to provide income for a five-year period of your retirement. Think of it as a series of retirement “paychecks” that change and adapt with you over time.

Segment 1 (Years 1–5): Stability and Access

This segment is invested conservatively and provides the income you need immediately in retirement. It’s your safe and dependable financial foundation.

Segment 2 (Years 6–10): Protected but Growing

Segment 2 is slightly more growth-oriented but still designed for stability. These assets will soon be your paycheck source and are positioned to support you without excessive risk.

Segments 3–6 (Years 11–30): Growth for the Long Haul

These later segments are invested with increasing levels of growth, aiming to outpace inflation and keep your income strong—even in your 80s and 90s.

Benefits for Intermountain Retirees

1. Predictable Paychecks

The Perennial Income Model™ allows us to structure distributions so that every month, you get a “retirement paycheck.” No guesswork. No scrambling.

2. Tax Efficiency

We tailor withdrawals from Roth, Traditional, and taxable accounts to reduce your tax burden over time. This is especially helpful for Intermountain retirees with both pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions.

3. Risk Management

The two biggest risks for retirees are market volatility and inflation. Because your early retirement years are funded conservatively, you’re not forced to sell stocks during market downturns. Money designated to provide income during the later years of your retirement is invested for growth to keep up with inflation.

4. Flexibility for Living Your Best Life, Serving, Traveling, or Giving

Whether that means traveling, serving in your church or community, or spending time with your family, the segmented design makes it easier to plan for larger, short-term expenses without disrupting your overall income strategy.

5. Confidence in Retirement

When you know what you can spend (and where it’s coming from), you make decisions with confidence. That’s a powerful shift from “Will I run out?” to “How do I want to live?”

Real-Life Application for Intermountain Retirees

We’ve used this model to help:

• Nurses transition to early retirement with confidence
• Physicians phasing out of practice into semi-retirement
• Administrators maximizing Roth conversions during low-income years
• Couples coordinating their incomes for maximum tax efficiency

Each plan is customized, but all are grounded in the same powerful structure.

Want to turn your Intermountain benefits into a clear, structured retirement paycheck? Let’s create a plan that brings lasting peace of mind.

Visit petersonwealth.com or call (801) 225-0000 to schedule your complimentary Perennial Income consultation.

Peterson Wealth Advisors is a fee only registered investment adviser. The information presented is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor before implementing any strategy.