Case Study C: Working but Financially Independent

The Challenge

Brian is considering stepping away from full-time work within the next couple of years. Jennifer enjoys her current flexibility but wants to be sure they’ve prepared properly for what’s next. They had a number of questions, including:

• Can Brian afford to retire soon, or would it make sense to phase out gradually?
• Should their investment strategy shift as they prepare to draw from their portfolio?
• What are the best ways to bridge the gap until Medicare and Social Security?
• How do we create a plan that lets us enjoy our time now, without worrying about running out later?
• Should we start partial Roth conversions before RMDs kick in?

The Approach

We worked together to build a detailed financial independence roadmap focused on flexibility and tax efficiency. With a clear view of their cash flow, healthcare needs, and long-term income strategy, Brian and Jennifer gained clarity on their options.

The Result Together, we helped Brian and Jennifer: Confirm that they were financially independent and had flexibility around work Build a tax-efficient income strategy to cover expenses until Social Security and Medicare begin Adjust their portfolio to support distributions while managing volatility Begin a multi-year Roth conversion plan to minimize future RMD taxes Create a glidepath into retirement that aligned with their personal and professional goals Now, they’re spending more time traveling, visiting family, and planning the next chapter—on their terms and with confidence.

_{Disclosure Note: The above case study is hypothetical and does not involve an actual client of our firm. It is intended for illustrative purposes only. No portion of the content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee of specific results or outcomes if our firm is engaged to provide investment advisory services. Discussions related to tax and/or estate planning are typically conducted in collaboration with our clients' other professional advisors.}