Case Study: John & Betty

The following case study is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only and is not representative of any specific client or outcome. It is intended to demonstrate how Good Life Financial Advisors may work with individuals and families facing similar circumstances. Actual strategies and results vary based on individual goals, financial situations, and market conditions. No outcome is guaranteed.

Who They Are

John spent 20-plus years in the Navy, then rolled straight into a second career with a large defense contractor. Betty taught public school. 

Now both past 70, they’re ready to step away from work.

The question isn’t whether they want to retire. It’s what life actually looks like once the paychecks stop.

What They Want to Know

Like most couples rapidly approaching retirement, their questions are straightforward:

– What does life look like after we stop working? 

– How much can we spend every month? 

– Can we travel the way we want to? 

– How can we support our church in a meaningful, yet tax-efficient manner?

What Makes It Complicated

John and Betty didn’t build their financial lives in a straight line. Military retirement. A defense contractor career. A teacher’s pension. Multiple accounts built over decades.

Their challenge isn’t saving more. It’s understanding how those pieces work together as they transition from accumulation to distribution without giving more to the IRS than necessary.

John and Betty also know they don’t want a large firm where advice is standardized, and relationships are transactional. They want to work directly with someone who understands their specific situation and can give them straightforward answers about where they stand.

How Good Life Helps

When we work with couples like John and Betty, the conversation starts with understanding what they’ve built and what they want retirement to look like.

Military benefits. Pension income. Investment accounts. Tax exposure. Giving goals.

For John and Betty, the work is about structuring income around the decisions that actually shape retirement:

– Which accounts should provide income first?

– How will withdrawals affect taxes?

– How can charitable giving be structured so their church receives the benefit instead of the IRS?

The goal is to show them, in real numbers, that the life they’ve worked toward is within reach — and give them the confidence to actually live it.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

You’ve done the hard part — you built it. Now you need a clear picture of how everything works together when you retire. We can walk through it. Schedule a consultation with Good Life Financial Advisors of NOVA.