These 3 decisions can make or break your retirement
The age you choose to retire, how you begin drawing income, and how you manage portfolio risk have the most impact on your retirement.
4 min read
Jul 17, 2025
Malcolm Ethridge
Bankrate Expert Contributor, Investing and Retirement
CREDENTIALS
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Enrolled Agent (EA)
EXPERTISE
- Financial Planning
- Income Taxes
- Retirement Planning
- Real Estate
- 401(k)s and IRAs
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts, North Carolina A&T
Bankrate's Expert Contributors
Our Expert Contributors are a select group of creators, experts and thought leaders who share first-person perspectives on finance and its intersections with our lives.
Meet our expertsAbout Malcolm
Malcolm Ethridge is a financial planner, speaker, author, and podcast host who is passionate about all things personal finance. He is the Managing Partner at Capital Area Planning Group, a boutique financial planning and investment management firm based in Washington, D.C.
As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and IRS Enrolled Agent (EA), Malcolm’s areas of expertise include retirement planning, investment portfolio development, tax planning, equity compensation and other executive benefits. He leverages that expertise to help first generation wealth creators make sense of some of the most complex financial situations that working professionals tend to face. As a very proud Aggie Alum, Malcolm holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, where he studied marketing and management. Malcolm lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and daughter, and in his free time, he enjoys training for his next marathon, skiing, and reading.
Malcolm beyond Bankrate
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What happens to a co-signer when a car is repossessed?
If the car you co-signed for gets repossessed, your credit will take a hit.
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Switching online brokers: Here’s how to transfer your investments to a new account
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Arizona cost of living in 2023
Arizona, especially the Phoenix area, has become an increasingly popular place to call home.
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How much income do you need for a $700K purchase?
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Financial aid appeal letters: What they are and how to write one
If your financial situation has changed, you may be able to get more aid.
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