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When Jack and Linda Thompson retired at age 60, they felt cautiously optimistic. After decades of hard work—Jack as a civil engineer and Linda as a high school counselor—they had managed to save $1 million in retirement accounts. They lived in Springfield, Illinois, a charming mid-sized city with a reasonable cost of living—but yes, Illinois…
Lisa is ready to rewrite the script. At just 55, she’s walking away from a high-pressure career in marketing to pursue the life she’s always wanted — one filled with creative projects, travel, volunteering, and more time for herself. She’s saved $700,000, expects to receive $42,000 annually from Social Security starting at age 67, and…
Tim has had enough of the daily grind. At 58, this California native is eyeing the exit door from corporate life and wondering if he can finally trade in his briefcase for beach walks, road trips, and time with his grandkids. He’s saved $650,000 across a mix of accounts, expects to receive $45,000 per year…
Meet Rachel and Thomas Rachel (60) and Thomas (61) live in Bend, Oregon—a scenic, fast-growing town nestled in the Cascade Mountains, perfect for biking, paddleboarding, and family hikes. Their lives have been a blend of work, parenting, and a lot of careful planning. Thomas spent 35 years as a product development manager for a regional…
Meet Carlos and Dana Carlos (60) and Dana (59) live in Boise, Idaho—a fast-growing city known for its outdoor lifestyle, family-friendly vibe, and reasonable cost of living. Carlos recently retired from his 30-year career as a civil engineer for the state, while Dana just stepped away from her role as a university librarian. But their…
Most retirement checklists ask the same questions: “Do you have enough saved?” “Have you claimed Social Security?” “Is your debt under control?” While these are important, they barely scratch the surface of what it means to be truly ready for retirement. Here are seven unconventional, thought-provoking questions—with clear, actionable insights—to help you uncover the deeper…
For couples considering early retirement, the financial side is only half the challenge. The emotional uncertainty—the “what if we run out of money?” fear—can be just as paralyzing. And when there’s an age gap between spouses, the planning becomes even more nuanced. That’s the case for Mark, age 56, and his wife Linda, age 49.…
Meet Kevin and Mia Kevin (55) and Mia (48) live in Durham, North Carolina—a vibrant city known for its universities, food scene, and close-knit community. Kevin works as a mid-level executive for a manufacturing firm, and Mia is a full-time mom raising their 8-year-old daughter, Isla. Kevin enjoys his job but dreams of stepping away…
Meet David and Alicia David (58) and Alicia (51) live in Fort Collins, Colorado—a scenic, mid-sized city known for its outdoor lifestyle and excellent public schools. They have an 8-year-old daughter, Emma, who loves camping, piano lessons, and science kits. David had planned to work until 61, but an unexpected corporate downsizing changed everything. At…
Meet Sophia and Mark Sophia (52) and Mark (57) live in the beautiful red-rock desert town of Sedona, Arizona. Mark works full-time as a project manager, while Sophia runs a freelance graphic design business from home. Together, they enjoy hiking, visiting local art galleries, and dreaming about the next phase of life—retirement. Their goal is…