Case Study:

Keeping Their Dream Alive

The Burning Questions

Though Sam and Laura enjoyed successful careers and were disciplined savers, their retirement journey came with unexpected challenges.

Just 14 months into retirement, the market shifted. Their growth stocks and bond holdings dropped sharply, leaving them with unexpected and significant losses at the very time they were starting to take distributions.


That unsettling experience led them to seek help turning their savings into steady retirement income. They needed a plan that could weather market swings and still support the life they’d planned.

How can we create an investment and income plan that holds up in different markets?

How can we avoid the risk of running out of money during retirement?

What’s a tax-efficient way to take our required minimum distributions?

How should we plan for long-term care, given what we’ve seen with family?

How can we give more to family and causes we care about after receiving this inheritance?

A Strategic Approach for a More Secure Future

Our priority was to align Sam and Laura’s risk tolerance with their goals, creating a comprehensive strategy that eased their concerns and allowed them to fully enjoy retirement:

Retirement Income & Spending Strategy

We spread out their investments to avoid having too much in one company or sector, helping their money grow and making it less vulnerable to big market ups and downs. Flashy returns were replaced with more stable, predictable outcomes, reducing stress whenever market headlines hit.

We set aside money in separate buckets, including a larger emergency fund, so they’d have stability and peace of mind without keeping too much sitting idle.

Portfolio Diversification & Risk Management

We strengthened their fixed-income investments to keep things steady during market dips and inflation. We also created a dynamic spending plan that lets them enjoy more of the early years of retirement, with built-in guardrails to help keep their finances on track for the long haul.

With the Sona Safety Rail distribution method, their income adjusts based on market performance, allowing for a higher overall projected lifetime income without increasing the risk of running out.

Tax Strategy & Required Minimum Distributions Planning

We ran detailed scenarios to help them plan for long-term care, and they chose to self-insure in a way that protects their lifestyle. We also built their tax strategy around future required withdrawals, using asset tax location and charitable giving to lower taxes and make the most of their money.

Family & Legacy Planning

We developed a family-focused giving strategy using 529 plans for their grandkids and annual gifting for both family and charities. This approach supported their values while helping reduce their taxable estate and maintain control over their investments.

Enjoying a Brighter Future

Sam and Laura are thriving in retirement, enjoying both financial security and personal fulfillment. They sleep better at night knowing they have:

A well-diversified portfolio that reduces risk and supports steady growth

A reliable emergency fund and comfort cash to cover unexpected expenses without stress

Flexible spending that fits their life and adapts to change

Sam and Laura are thriving in retirement, with the confidence that comes from a strong portfolio, solid emergency fund, and flexible spending plan.

With their finances in good shape, they now focus on what they love—spoiling their grandkids, playing Pickleball, staying active, and tackling the daily crossword.

Explore Our Latest Insights

  • Crypto in Your Retirement Portfolio: Sexy or Stable?

    Crypto in Your Retirement Portfolio: Sexy or Stable?

  • Setting Sail into Retirement: 4 Lessons from @Sailing_With_Phoenix for Your Golden Years

    Setting Sail into Retirement: 4 Lessons from @Sailing_With_Phoenix From Sailing_With_Phoenix Insta If you’ve been scrolling Instagram lately,…

  • Ep. 23: Love & Money

    Summary In this conversation, Mark Struthers discusses the intricate relationship between love and money, emphasizing the importance…