Explore Real Retirement Scenarios
Every retirement journey is personal — shaped by habits, hopes, and the realities of everyday life. These stories show how people from different walks of life are finding their way forward: learning, adjusting, and building confidence step by step. Whether you see yourself in one of them or somewhere in between, each path reminds us that it’s never too late to catch up — or to feel at peace with the road ahead.
Our Retirees
Anthony
Anthony is the life of every gathering — generous, social, and always treating the people he loves. But years of spontaneous spending on himself and others have limited his focus on retirement savings. Now at 53, he’s realizing that joy today doesn’t have to come at the expense of confidence tomorrow — and he’s ready to find that balance.
Retirement Snapshot:
Age: 53
Marital Status: Divorced
Retirement Savings: $250K
Debt: $7,500 credit card balance
Alimony: $1,500/month for two more years
Desired Retirement Age: 63
Emma
Emma’s life is built on dependability. She’s cared for clients, raised her daughter, and herself through every challenge. But behind that reliability is fatigue and a little bit of worry. Now in her early 50s, she’s ready to find clarity and confidence in her next chapter — one that gives her time for the art she loves and the security she deserves.
Retirement Snapshot:
Age: 50
Marital Status: Divorced, single parent
Retirement Savings: $180K
Debt: $4,300 credit card balance
Additional Income: $6,000/year in alimony and child support (for 2 more years)
Desired Retirement Age: 65
Diane & Greg
For years, Diane and Greg put their family first — paying for college, helping their daughter get started, and keeping their household steady. But their generosity has come with trade-offs: lingering debt, a mortgage balance, and growing concern about Greg’s health. With Diane now carrying most of the income and retirement just five years away, they’re learning how to protect what they’ve built while planning for a future that feels secure and sustainable for both of them.
Retirement Snapshot:
Ages: 58 (Diane), 60 (Greg)
Marital Status: Married
Household Income: $150K
Retirement Savings: $800K
Debt: $90K mortgage, $35K car loans, $12K credit cards
Health Concern: Greg’s physical limitations reducing work hours
Desired Retirement Age: 65
Lisa & Marcus
Lisa and Marcus have built a life that looks successful from the outside — luxury cars, elegant dinners, and annual European vacations. But the image has come with a price: heavy debt, underfunded savings, and little time for personal fulfillment. With retirement ten years away, they’re facing the truth that maintaining appearances can’t replace long-term security. Their next chapter begins with redefining success — less about status, more about stability, connection, and purpose.
Retirement Snapshot:
Ages: 57 (Lisa), 59 (Marcus)
Marital Status: Married
Household Income: $300K
Retirement Savings: $600K
Debt: $250K mortgage, $80K car loans, $25K credit cards
Lifestyle Spending: $200K+ annually
Desired Retirement Age: 67
Michelle & David
From the outside, Michelle and David look completely set — successful careers, two homes, and a life filled with travel and comfort. But behind the scenes, their lifestyle has outpaced their savings, and retirement is closer than they’d like to admit. Between mortgages, car loans, and constant expenses, they’re realizing that their version of success needs a reset. The hardest part isn’t the math — it’s slowing down long enough to face it together.
Retirement Snapshot:
Ages: 60 (Michelle), 61 (David)
Marital Status: Married
Household Income: $500K
Retirement Savings: $750K
Debt: $500K primary mortgage, $300K second home, $100K car loans
Lifestyle Spending: $300K annually
Desired Retirement Age: 65
Chandra & Preeti
Chandra and Preeti have built a steady life through hard work and faith. Every dollar is managed carefully, every decision made with caution. But years of mistrust in financial institutions have left their savings idle and their confidence low. Their discipline is admirable — yet it’s keeping them from the security and freedom they’ve earned. Their next step is learning how to trust again, one small, safe decision at a time.
Retirement Snapshot:
Ages: 53 (Chandra), 50 (Preeti)
Marital Status: Married
Household Income: $170K
Retirement Savings: $200K (held in cash savings)
Debt: None
Financial Mindset: High caution, low trust in financial systems
Desired Retirement Age: 65
