Retirement Crafted for Those Who Serve.

Retirement isn’t just about having enough money—it’s about having a plan that allows you to live without financial stress and focus on what truly matters.

For Kevin and Vivian, a married couple in their late 60s, that meant ensuring their retirement savings could provide steady, reliable income while still leaving room for growth, security, and legacy planning.

Kevin spent 35 years as an engineer, working on large infrastructure projects, while Vivian dedicated her career to helping others as a community pharmacist. After decades of hard work, they were excited to retire together—but they also knew that without a solid strategy, their $600,000 in savings might not be enough to provide the confidence they needed.

They turned to Retire With Swan to help them structure their assets, protect their income, and create a financial plan that would allow them to enjoy retirement without worry.

Step 1: Organizing the Financial Picture

The first step in our Swan Song System is always to bring clarity to the financial picture. We helped Kevin and Vivian consolidate their accounts and assess their income sources:

✔ Kevin’s Pension from His Engineering Firm: $3,800/month
✔ Vivian’s Social Security Benefit: $2,100/month
✔ Retirement Savings: $600,000 (split between a 401(k), IRA, and cash reserves)
✔ Healthcare Costs: ~$500/month (Medicare and supplemental insurance)
✔ Spending Needs: Their guaranteed income covered a portion of their expenses, but they needed an additional $1,500/month in stable income to maintain their desired lifestyle

Their main priority was simple: make sure they would never have to worry about outliving their money.

Step 2: Solving Problems Using G.R.A.C.E.

We structured their retirement plan using our G.R.A.C.E. framework, covering every critical area of their financial future.

✔ G - Guaranteed Income:

• Kevin’s pension and Vivian’s Social Security provided a solid foundation, covering about 70% of their essential expenses.

• To bridge the gap, we allocated $200,000 from their IRA into a Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with an income rider, generating an additional $1,500/month for life.

• This ensured all essential expenses were covered—without relying on stock market fluctuations.

✔ R - Reserves for Emergencies & Insurance:

• $50,000 was set aside in a high-yield savings account for unexpected expenses.

• To address potential long-term care needs, we helped them secure a policy that would provide benefits for assisted living or in-home care.

✔ A - Asset Growth:

• With their guaranteed income in place, the rest of their savings could focus on growth.

• $250,000 was invested in a diversified portfolio of ETFs and dividend-paying stocks, designed for growth while managing risk.

• A dynamic guardrail withdrawal strategy was implemented to adjust distributions based on market conditions, ensuring sustainable income.

✔ C - Comprehensive Tax Planning:

• Since Kevin’s pension was fully taxable, and they had funds in both pre-tax and Roth accounts, we structured a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy to minimize their tax burden.

• We also implemented gradual Roth conversions to reduce future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and lower their long-term tax liabilities.

✔ E - Estate & Legacy Planning:

• We helped them update their trust and beneficiary designations, ensuring their children would inherit their assets efficiently.

• Since Kevin’s pension did not offer a lump-sum survivor benefit, we structured a small life insurance policy to replace lost income if Kevin passed away first.

Step 3: Implementing the Strategy

Once the plan was finalized, we worked alongside Kevin and Vivian to execute every step, ensuring a smooth transition into retirement.

✔ Annuity income was set up to begin distributions immediately.
✔ Investment portfolios were rebalanced for growth and income sustainability.
✔ Emergency reserves were allocated for quick access.
✔ Estate planning documents were updated to align with their goals.

With this system in place, they could enter retirement with clarity, structure, and peace of mind.

Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments

A retirement plan isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. That’s why we continue to work with Kevin and Vivian through routine check-ins and strategy adjustments.

✔ Annual investment reviews to optimize their portfolio for changing market conditions.
✔ Withdrawal adjustments to ensure income remains sustainable over time.
✔ Ongoing tax planning to manage future Roth conversions and tax-efficient distributions.

This ensures their plan remains flexible and adaptable, no matter what life throws their way.

The Outcome: A Retirement They Can Enjoy

Thanks to the Swan Song System, Kevin and Vivian now have a clear, structured plan that allows them to enjoy retirement without financial stress.

✔ Their pension, Social Security, and annuity income fully cover their expenses.
✔ Their investment portfolio continues to grow, ensuring financial flexibility for future goals.
✔ Their tax strategy keeps more money in their pockets—both now and in the future.
✔ Their estate plan protects their children and ensures a meaningful legacy.

Now, instead of worrying about their finances, Kevin and Vivian are spending their time traveling, enjoying music, and making the most of their retirement together.

This is what a secure retirement looks like.