Guiding You into a Secure and Purpose-Filled Retirement
At Retire With Swan, we help you transform your retirement worry into confidence by leading with G.R.A.C.E. - our retirement framework for addressing your biggest retirement concerns.
The Retirement Risks You Can’t Afford to Ignore.
Your journey into retirement is filled with opportunities, but without a clear plan, it can also be fraught with risks. Even the most diligent savers and investors can find themselves vulnerable to unforeseen challenges:
Outliving Savings
Inflation, market downturns, and unexpected expenses can erode even the most carefully built nest egg.
Missed Opportunities
Poorly timed decisions around Social Security or taxes can leave thousands of hard-earned dollars on the table.
Unnecessary Stress
Without clarity and guidance, uncertainty can cast a shadow over what should be your most fulfilling years.
At Retire With Swan, we’re here to guide you. Together, we’ll build a plan that safeguards your savings, optimizes your opportunities, and transforms uncertainty into confidence.
You’ve worked too hard to leave this next chapter to chance.
“He took the time to understand my unique financial situation and provided personalized recommendations that have greatly improved my financial outlook.”
Branden R.
“Thanks to Chris Swan's expertise and dedication, we now have a tailored financial plan that has propelled us to new heights, putting us firmly on track to achieve our long-term goals.”
Eric L.
“Chris is amazing! Super helpful, detail oriented and amazing at communication! He helped tailor an investment strategy that really worked for me. Job well done, sir! Highly recommended!”
Joshua S.
“Chris has gone above and beyond to help me understand and manage my finances! He is very kind, personable and knowledgeable and I don’t know where I would be without him! I highly recommend his services!”
Brittany D.
Retire With Swan has not provided any compensation for the testimonials shown. The testimonials shown have been selected from among all client feedback. To our knowledge, no other conflicts of interest exist regarding these testimonials.
Meet Your Personal CFO: Christopher Swan, MBA, CFP®
With over 14 years of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people retire with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Transformations
Learn how we use our Swan Song System to transform retirement worry into confidence.
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Overview
Linda, a 66-year-old widow, retired one year ago with $400,000 in savings. Her primary concern was ensuring her essential expenses were covered and maintaining financial independence without the risk of outliving her savings. She reached out to Retire With Swan for help in creating a reliable income plan.
The Swan Song System
We introduced Linda to our Swan Song System, a retirement planning approach that follows four key steps:
Step 1: Consolidate and Organize
We gathered all of Linda's financial information, including her savings, IRA, and Social Security benefits, and consolidated them into our planning system. This gave us a clear picture of her financial standing and allowed us to create an effective strategy.
Step 2: Solve Problems
We solve problems by leading with G.R.A.C.E.
G - Guaranteed Income: We ensured Linda's essential expenses were covered by guaranteed income so she wouldn't have to worry about the stock market for her day-to-day expenses.
R - Reserves for Emergencies & Insurance: We allocated money to emergency reserves, split between a high-yield savings and a life insurance policy with a long-term care rider.
A - Asset Growth: To provide Linda with growth opportunities to protect her from inflation and unplanned life events, we invested a portion of her savings into a customized growth bucket using ETFs and stocks. This strategy allowed her to benefit from market gains while protecting her assets in downturns.
C - Comprehensive Tax Planning: We created a plan for her to strategically time her income and place her money in places in tax favorable ways so she could keep more or her savings in her pocket and owe less in taxes.
E - Estate Planning: We updated Linda's will, established a living trust, and used a small life insurance policy to leave a tax-free legacy for her children.
Step 3: Project Management to Execution
We worked closely with Linda to execute her financial plan, including setting up the income, allocating her emergency reserves, and investing her growth assets. We provided continuous support and education throughout the process.
Step 4: Routine Updates and Monitoring
We scheduled regular check-ins with Linda to review her financial plan, assess her progress, and make any necessary adjustments. This ongoing monitoring ensured her plan remained aligned with her goals and provided peace of mind.
Outcome
Through the Swan Song System, Linda achieved financial stability and peace of mind. Her guaranteed income covers her essential expenses, her emergency reserves protect her against unexpected costs, and her growth investments provide her with long-term security. Linda now feels confident about her financial future and the legacy she'll leave for her family.
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Overview
Kevin and Vivian, a married couple in their late 60s, were ready to retire. With $600,000 in savings and adult children living independently, their main goal was to ensure they had enough stable income to cover their day-to-day expenses without worrying about market fluctuations. They came to Retire With Swan to build a reliable plan that offered income stability, growth potential, and peace of mind for their retirement.
The Swan Song System
We introduced Kevin and Vivian to our Swan Song System, a comprehensive retirement planning approach consisting of four steps:
Step 1: Consolidate and Organize
We gathered all of Kevin and Vivian's financial documents, including savings accounts, investments, and Social Security benefits. We then consolidated their accounts to provide a clear picture of their overall financial standing, giving them the confidence they needed to move forward.
Step 2: Solve Problems
We solve problems by leading with G.R.A.C.E.
G - Guaranteed Income: We ensured Kevin and Vivian's essential expenses were covered by guaranteed income sources, such as Social Security and annuity solutions. This allowed them to enjoy their retirement without worrying about the stock market's impact on their daily expenses.
R - Reserves for Emergencies: We allocated a portion of their savings to establish emergency reserves, providing a safety net for unexpected expenses and giving them peace of mind.
A - Asset Growth: We allocated some of their funds to a growth bucket, focusing on balanced investments to capture market growth while managing risk. A dynamic guardrail strategy was employed to adjust withdrawals based on market conditions, ensuring sustainable income.
C - Comprehensive Tax Planning: We structured a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy that minimized their tax liability while maximizing their after-tax income. This involved balancing withdrawals from different accounts at the appropriate times.
E - Estate Planning: We helped Kevin and Vivian update their estate plan to reflect their current wishes, ensuring their children would receive their legacy as intended.
Step 3: Project Management to Execution
We worked alongside Kevin and Vivian to implement the financial plan, including setting up their guaranteed income, allocating funds for growth, and establishing emergency reserves. We provided consistent support throughout the process to ensure everything was executed smoothly.
Step 4: Routine Updates and Monitoring
We established regular check-ins to track their progress and make adjustments as needed. These routine reviews ensured that Kevin and Vivian's financial plan remained aligned with their goals and adjusted to any life changes that came their way.
Outcome
By using the Swan Song System, Kevin and Vivian were able to enjoy a worry-free retirement. Their guaranteed income covered their essential expenses, their emergency reserves protected them from unexpected costs, and their growth investments allowed them to maintain financial flexibility. With a clear plan in place, Kevin and Vivian are now confident that they can focus on their family, hobbies, and the experiences that matter most to them.
Note: These case studies are hypothetical and do not involve actual Retire With Swan clients. No portion of this content should be construed as a guarantee of specific results or satisfaction if Retire With Swan is engaged to provide investment advisory services.
I can’t wait to help.
A Step-by-Step Journey to Retirement Confidence.
#1 - Meet
Answer a few intro questions and schedule a no-obligation free assessment.
#2 - Swan Song System
Leading with our Swan Song System & G.R.A.C.E. framework, we help develop your strategy.
#3 - Execute
After we map out your plan, we go to work for you to make it reality.
#4 - Ongoing
Enjoy ongoing updates and biannual reviews to keep your plan on track.
Questions people ask.
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Our services are best suited for individuals with $250,000 or more in retirement savings. At this level, we can provide tailored solutions—like investment management, insurance, and annuities—to help you reduce retirement risk. If you're approaching or have this amount, we'd be happy to assist you.
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We’re an independent registered investment advisor and independent insurance agency. This means we’re not beholden to specific products or strategies and can recommend what’s truly the best fit for your situation. It also means we’re a fiduciary financial advisor and are legally obligated to put your best interests first.
We’re local to Cypress, TX and love kitchen meetings, however, we primarily work with people remotely.
We’ll meet multiple times to kick things off and have at least two review meetings each year. -
We believe in full transparency when it comes to our compensation. Our unique approach combines revenues from helping you fulfill your insurance and annuity needs, along with fees earned for managing your investments.
Insurance and Annuity Products
There are no advisor fees on annuity and insurance products. We're compensated by the insurance companies, not by you. This means your entire balance stays intact and continues working toward your goals. As independent representatives, we're not tied to any single insurer, allowing us to choose the best options for your needs. Because we don't charge management or upfront fees on these products, every dollar you invest works for you from day one.
Investment Management Fees
When your investments perform better, so do we. Your investments are securely held with Altruist to ensure safety and simplicity. We charge an all-inclusive, commission-free annual fee of 1%, which is debited directly from your investment account.
We do not receive any additional compensation through kickbacks, undisclosed revenue sources, or hidden fees. There's also no extra charge for the proactive tax planning and estate planning advice we provide—these services are included as part of our commitment to your comprehensive retirement strategy.
Our goal is to keep our fee structure straightforward and aligned with your best interests, ensuring you know exactly how we're compensated while we work towards securing your financial future.
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Our mission is to help you make the most of your retirement savings so you can enjoy life to the fullest. We specialize in simplifying retirement planning, transforming your journey from one of worry and risk to lifelong confidence as you approach retirement.
We help clients with:
Retirement Planning: Developing personalized strategies to secure your financial future.
Investment Management: Managing your investments to align with your retirement goals.
Tax Planning: Proactively planning to minimize taxes and maximize your retirement income.
Estate Planning: Protecting your assets and preserving your legacy.
Insurance and Annuity Solutions: Offering tailored insurance and annuity products to reduce retirement risk.
Cash Flow Planning: Ensuring your income and expenses are managed for a worry-free retirement.
And everything else needed to help you feel confident and excited about your financial future.
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Yes.
We help you plan ahead to reduce your future taxes. While your CPA handles last year's tax filings, we focus on strategies to save you money going forward. You'll still file your tax return (or work with your CPA), but we'll guide you on tax-efficient ways to manage your retirement savings.