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CreateYourOwnPension.Org

Create Your Own Pension

Turn a portion of your retirement savings into reliable monthly income— while keeping the rest invested for growth.

Most retirees no longer receive a pension.
We help you build one — on your terms.
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Retirement has changed. Most plans haven't.

There was a time when retirement came with a paycheck - Social Security plus a pension.
 
Today, most people have:
  • Social Security
  • A 401(k) or IRA
  • No guarantees beyond that

Which means your lifestyle depends on:

  • Market performance

  • Withdrawal timing

  • How long you live

The Key question is no longer:  "How much do I have?"

It's:  "How much can I safely spend each month?"

Stop thinking about assets. Start thinking about income.

Most retirement plans are built around assets. 
But retirement is about turning those assets into income you can rely on.
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That's where many plans fall short - and where stress begins.

Build a Pension - On Your Terms

We help you create a personal income plan that combines:

  • Social Security

  • A portion of your savings converted into guaranteed income

  • The rest of your portfolio invested for growth

 

Outcome:

  • Cover essential expenses with reliable income

  • Reduce pressure on your investments

  • Gain confidence in your monthly spending

 

This approach is called income flooring.

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Two Buckets. One Plan.
 

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Investments create wealth. Income creates security. Most plans need both.

Why This Approach Changes Retirement

  • You’re not forced to sell investments during downturns
  • You reduce exposure to sequence of return risk
  • You gain confidence to actually spend in retirement
  • You reduce stress from market volatility
  • Your portfolio gets time to recover
     
When your essential expenses are covered, your investments can be used more freely.

How It Works

1.  Identify your essential expenses
2. Map your current income
3.  Calculate your income gap
4.  Design your personal pension
 

Is This Right For Everyone?

Not always. This approach may not be ideal if:
 
  • You need full liquidity
  • Your essential expenses are already covered
  • You prioritize maximum market upside
 
Our role is simple:

Determine whether guaranteed income improves your plan—not assume you need it.

Why I Do This Work

Over my 30 year career in financial services, I experienced major market losses—twice.
 
That changed how I think about retirement.
 
I realized:
Retirement isn’t about maximizing returns.
It’s about creating income you can rely on.
 
So my wife and I made a decision:
We used a portion of our savings to cover our essential expenses with guaranteed income.
We keep the rest invested.
 
That shift:
  • Reduced stress
  • Increased confidence
  • Changes how we experience retirement
     
Now I help other Texans do the same.
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John Schwalenberg
Founder- Create Your Own Pension

Texas Insurance License #2266812

See What Your Retirement Could Look Like

Get Your Income Gap Analysis
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