How do I turn my savings into a steady retirement 'paycheck'?

Building a retirement paycheck means converting a lump sum into reliable monthly cash flow. Start by listing essential expenses, then cover them first with guaranteed income – Social Security, any pension, and optionally an annuity – so your basics are met no matter what markets do. Fund discretionary spending from your portfolio. A common mechanic is to sweep dividends, interest, and planned sales into a cash 'paycheck account,' then set an automatic monthly transfer to checking, mimicking the deposit you used to get from work. Refill that cash buffer once or twice a year from the rest of the portfolio. This structure keeps spending steady and predictable while protecting you from selling stocks at the wrong time. Sketch your essential-versus-discretionary split and income sources at wealthserene.com/goals/generate-retirement-income.