Case Client: Dave and Lucille
Ages: 67 and 66
Status: Pre-Retired Couple
Primary Goal: Create a reliable income plan, reduce market stress, and transition confidently into retirement
The Situation
Dave and Lucille came to us just as they were preparing to retire. Dave had spent most of his career in equipment sales, and Lucille worked part-time for their local church while raising their three children. Over the years, they’d built up retirement savings in their 401(k)s and IRAs, and Dave had recently purchased an annuity he hoped would provide income and security in retirement.
But the more he looked into it, the more he regretted the decision.
The annuity felt confusing, illiquid, and wasn’t performing as he had expected. It didn’t give him the peace of mind he had been hoping for—and it tied up money he might need access to.
Dave also described himself as having a “worrisome temperament” when it came to finances. He kept a close eye on the markets, felt uneasy during downturns, and often second-guessed his decisions. He wanted investments that wouldn’t fuel anxiety—but would still help them retire with confidence.
In addition, Dave had been holding a large amount of cash at the bank. While it felt “safe,” it was earning next to nothing in interest—and he knew that wasn't helping him move closer to his goals. He wanted to find a better way to put that money to work, without taking unnecessary risk.
Lucille was more relaxed but wanted a plan that gave them both clarity, structure, and peace of mind—especially as they approached Medicare enrollment and began thinking about healthcare and long-term planning.
The Approach
Our first goal was to bring calm to the chaos. We reviewed the annuity contract and helped Dave understand exactly what it offered—and what it didn’t. Then we constructed a retirement roadmap focused on control, tax-efficiency, and emotional alignment.
We also reviewed their cash position and proposed high-quality, low-volatility solutions that offered significantly higher yields—more than doubling what he had been earning at the bank—without compromising safety or liquidity.
To round out the plan, we helped Dave and Lucille evaluate their Medicare options, comparing supplemental and Advantage plans to ensure they were making informed healthcare decisions aligned with their broader financial goals.
Their overall strategy focused on:
- Creating a predictable, sustainable income stream
- Replacing the underperforming annuity with better-aligned investment options
- Putting excess cash to better use through low-risk, higher-yield alternatives
- Designing a portfolio with principal protection investments that limit losses while still offering attractive yields and market participation
- Strategizing around tax efficiency and future RMDs
- Navigating Medicare enrollment with clarity and confidence
The Results
Dave and Lucille now feel grounded, secure, and ready for the next chapter:
• We transitioned them out of the unsuitable annuity into a more transparent and flexible strategy designed to support income and liquidity needs without hidden costs or complexity.
• Rebuilt their portfolio using principal protection strategies that limit downside exposure while still allowing for participation in market growth—giving Dave the comfort of knowing their investments are protected while still productive.
• Put their excess cash to work, using low-risk options that more than doubled the interest they were earning at the bank—helping move them closer to their retirement goals without increasing their stress.
• Mapped out a year-by-year retirement income plan, aligning income sources to expenses, so they know exactly how and when they'll draw from each account.
• Built a multi-year tax strategy, including Roth conversions and smart withdrawal sequencing to lower their long-term tax burden.
• Guided them through Medicare enrollment, helping them make informed decisions on coverage that aligned with their healthcare expectations and retirement budget.
• Simplified and consolidated their financial life, giving them a clear, organized view of everything they own and how it’s working together.
Today, Dave says he feels more peace around his money than he has in years. “It’s a huge relief to finally have a plan I understand—and investments that won’t keep me up at night.” Lucille added, “Now that Dave’s less stressed, I can tell we’re both enjoying this transition a lot more.”
With a plan that aligns to their lifestyle, goals, and personalities, Dave and Lucille are stepping into retirement with clarity and confidence.
