Retirement Case Studies for Educators

The Situation

A teacher nearing retirement had two old 403(b) accounts (roughly $80,000 combined) and a $220,000 rollover IRA, plus uncertainty around pension timing and no clear picture of her projected retirement income. Like many educators, she had accumulated accounts over decades but never reviewed how they worked together.

What We Reviewed

A Retirement Income Stability Analysis covering pension income, Social Security timing, the old 403(b) accounts, rollover options, projected income gaps, and how much of her income was market-exposed versus guaranteed.

Key Findings

• Retirement income depended heavily on future market performance
• Several accounts overlapped inefficiently
• Survivor income for her spouse could decline significantly
• Projected income fell short of her desired monthly spending

The Outcome

• Consolidated multiple retirement accounts
• Improved overall retirement organization
• Developed a clearer retirement income strategy
• Understood guaranteed vs. market-dependent income

The Situation

A public employee nearing retirement wanted clarity on pension income, Social Security timing, rollover options, and whether current savings could realistically support retirement goals. Strong savings habits, but no coordinated income strategy.

What We Reviewed

Using our Retirement Mapping process, we examined rollover strategies, retirement income allocation, pension coordination, survivor considerations for the spouse, and ways to potentially improve long-term income stability.

Key Findings

• An income shortfall between projected and desired income
• Heavy dependence on market withdrawals
• Limited guaranteed lifetime income outside the pension

The Outcome

• A clearer understanding of retirement readiness
• Actionable next steps and a personalized income roadmap
• Greater confidence around retirement timing

The Situation

A teacher who had changed districts several times accumulated multiple 403(b)s, an old 457(b), a rollover IRA, and several beneficiaries needing review. She wanted to understand what could stay, what could move, the tax considerations, and whether consolidation made sense.

What We Reviewed

Fees, investment overlap, retirement income projections, pension coordination, and long-term income sustainability across every account.

Key Insight

The biggest issue wasn't investment performance — it was the lack of coordination between retirement income sources.

The Outcome

• A more organized retirement structure
• Clarity on future income expectations and survivor planning
• A clear view of rollover and consolidation opportunities

The Situation

A couple approaching retirement had healthy balances, strong savings habits, and confidence in market growth — but they had never analyzed how much income was truly guaranteed, their sequence-of-returns risk, survivor income reduction, or income sustainability through retirement.

What We Reviewed

A Retirement Income Stability Analysis comparing guaranteed income sources against market-dependent withdrawals, and modeling the impact on the surviving spouse.

Key Findings

• A large share of income depended on market withdrawals
• Guaranteed income covered less than they expected
• One spouse could face significant income reduction after widowhood

The Outcome

• A clearer understanding of retirement income risks
• A framework for evaluating rollover options
• Greater awareness of guaranteed vs. market-exposed income

The Situation

An educator nearing retirement wanted help understanding pension election choices, Social Security timing, survivor options, retirement account withdrawals, and overall retirement income sustainability.

What We Reviewed

Projected pension income, survivor pension elections, Social Security estimates, retirement account balances, and desired retirement lifestyle goals.

Key Findings

• Potential survivor income gaps
• Opportunities to improve retirement income stability
• A need for better coordination between pension and assets

The Outcome

• A more coordinated retirement strategy
• Improved understanding of retirement income sources
• Greater clarity around long-term planning decisions