Investors enter retirement including more confidence if they have a thoughtful retirement approach. Plotting ahead helps those nearing retirement arrange for when company paychecks bring to a standstill coming and the goal of accumulating assets gives way to generating income from those assets for retirement expenses.

While plotting for and managing income in retirement may not sound like enjoyable, it is the most effective way to be confident in your future. Consider the following.

* Calculate how lingering retirement will last. Since retirement doesn’t have a preset time limit, this initially step can be particularly challenging. Many of our customers are surprised to learn including the intention of they are likely to live in retirement just as lingering as they worked. A 65-year-ancient couple retiring today, for example, must plot to have enough money to last at least 20 or 30 more years, according to a 2003 Fidelity study. When determining how lingering your money will need to last, realistically estimate the expenses including the intention of are likely in your own retirement and consider including the intention of you may live longer than you reckon – possibly into your 90s.

* Preserve and grow assets. Worry of a down promote can cause approximately retirees to be too cautious, so they sell virtually all of their stock holdings. While they must protect their assets, retirees must recognize including the intention of they may also benefit from growth including the intention of can come from investing in the markets. In fact, lingering-term success may lie in a portfolio including the intention of includes an appropriate mix of stocks, bonds and cash. The key is to find an asset mix including the intention of is age-appropriate and generates enough income to help offset withdrawal requirements and the effects of inflation over time.

* Simplify to stay on track. Pre-retirees expect to manage an average of nine sources of income, including Social Security, multiple 401(k)s, annuities and personal savings, according to a 2004 Fidelity study. These assets are often held in multiple accounts at different financial institutions, making it hard to develop and maintain a comprehensive investing approach. For example, mutual funds from different firms may hold similar investments, potentially increasing risk to your portfolio through greater exposure to volatile markets or sectors.

To prevent this from happening, anyone five to seven years from retirement may want to consider consolidating various 401(k)s and other retirement accounts in one place, or finding a tool including the intention of easily provides a look at your entire financial picture in a single view.

Making a thoughtful retirement approach involves sharp focus and detailed calculations, and can force couples approaching retirement to face hard considerations for the initially time. Luckily, there are many resources available to help investors arrange their retirement approach. Plotting for the future is the key, but, and helps build financial confidence so including the intention of you can delight in the retirement you have worked so hard to achieve.

Cynthia Egan is executive vice president, Fidelity Investments.