Which Story Feels Like Yours?
From soon-to-be retirees to families caring for a loved one with special needs, we help a wide range of people plan for what's next.
The stories below are fictional, but they reflect the real clients we work with every day.
Sample Client #1: Pre-Retirees Looking For Clarity in Planning Their Retirement
They've built meaningful savings and are eager to stop working, but they don't have a clear number in mind for "enough." Between healthcare costs before Medicare, a mortgage that isn't quite paid off, and uncertainty about Social Security timing, they want a concrete plan rather than a guess.
Family: Married, no dependents at home; three adult children, one of whom recently started a business they've been informally helping fund
Retirement Status: Both spouses still working, hoping to retire within 2-3 years
Current & Future Expected Resources:
A $2.1 million portfolio split between Roth and Traditional 401(k)s
Employer stock (RSUs) still vesting for the next 18 months
Two Social Security benefits, with different optimal claiming ages
A rental property generating modest monthly income
Top Questions & Concerns:
Healthcare Bridge:
How do we cover healthcare costs between retirement and Medicare eligibility at 65?
Social Security Timing:
Should we each claim at different ages to maximize lifetime benefits?
Debt vs. Investing:
Does it make sense to pay off the mortgage before retiring, or keep investing instead?
Supporting Family:
How much can we keep helping our child's business without jeopardizing our own retirement?
Withdrawal Strategy:
In what order should we draw from Roth, Traditional, and taxable accounts to minimize taxes?
Sample Client #2: Recently Retired and Seeking a Tax-Efficient Income Strategy
They've just made the transition from a steady paycheck to living off their savings, and it feels different than they expected. With several account types to draw from, including Traditional, Roth, and taxable, they want to build a withdrawal strategy that keeps their tax bill low and makes their money last, without accidentally triggering higher Medicare premiums or unnecessary taxes on Social Security.
Family: Married, children grown and financially independent
Retirement Status: Both spouses recently retired within the last 1-2 years
Current & Future Expected Resources:
A $1.8 million portfolio spread across Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k), and a Taxable brokerage account
Social Security income, not yet claimed
A small pension with monthly payments or a lump-sum option.
Top Questions & Concerns:
Withdrawal Order:
Which accounts should we draw from first to minimize lifetime taxes?
Tax Bracket Management:
Should we do Roth conversions now while our income is lower, before Social Security and RMDs kick in?
Medicare & IRMAA:
How do we avoid triggering higher Medicare premiums from our withdrawals?
Social Security Timing:
Does it make sense to delay claiming to increase our monthly benefit?
Cash Flow Planning:
How do we structure a reliable "paycheck" from our accounts each month?
Sample Client #3: Established Retirees Seeking Lasting Financial Confidence
They've enjoyed a comfortable retirement for well over a decade and don't worry much about day-to-day expenses. Their focus now is on the future: making sure whichever spouse outlives the other isn't left in a difficult financial position, as well as finding the right balance between enjoying time with family now and preserving what they've built.
Family: Two adult children and several grandchildren, including some approaching college age
Retirement Status: Retired for over 15 years
Current & Future Expected Resources:
A $950,000 investment portfolio held across Traditional IRAs and a fixed annuity
Pension for the wife with a 75% survivor income benefit
Social Security income for both spouses
Top Questions & Concerns:
Surviving Spouse Security:
If one of us passes first, will the other still have enough income to live comfortably?
Are there gaps in our income sources we should address now?
Balancing Enjoyment with Preservation:
How do we feel good about spending on our grandkids and travel without putting our long-term security at risk?
Reviewing Older Contracts:
Our annuity has been in place for many years. Is it still the right fit; are the expenses too high?
Sample Client #4: Parents Planning for a Child with Special Needs
They've spent years managing the day-to-day demands of caring for their child, but planning for the long term feels overwhelming. They want to make sure their child is provided for financially and has continued support and care after they're no longer able to provide it themselves, all without jeopardizing any government benefits their child currently relies on.
Family: Married, two children, one of whom has special needs and will likely require lifelong support
Retirement Status: Both spouses still working, retirement timeline uncertain due to caregiving responsibilities
Current & Future Expected Resources:
A $600,000 investment portfolio across 401(k)s and a taxable brokerage account
A modest emergency fund set aside for care-related expenses
No formal special needs trust currently established
Anticipated Social Security benefits for both spouses as well Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the disabled child
Top Questions & Concerns:
Long-Term Care Planning:
Who will take over caregiving responsibilities if something happens to us?
How do we plan for our child's care and living arrangements decades from now?
Protecting Government Benefits:
How do we leave money to our child without disqualifying them from Medicaid or SSI?
Should we set up a special needs trust, and how does that work?
Sibling Responsibilities:
How much responsibility should we place on our other child, and how do we plan for that fairly?
Balancing Our Own Retirement:
How do we make sure we're still financially secure in retirement while providing for our child's future needs?
Estate & Legal Planning:
What legal documents do we need in place, like guardianship or a letter of intent, to protect our child long-term?
Should we establish a 1st or 3rd party trust? What is the difference?