Maggie
Case Study 03 :: Age: 56
Nearing Retirement
Primary Goals:
Consolidate investment accounts, Mitigate taxes, Create a reliable retirement income stream
After building a successful career as a biotech executive, Maggie started looking ahead to retirement. Over the years she had collected multiple accounts—401(k)s from different employers, stock options, an ESPP, and several brokerage accounts.
She lived modestly, owned her home, and loved spending time with her three adult children (one still in college) and two grandchildren. Her vision for retirement was simple: more time with family, less stress about money.
But even with substantial savings, Maggie still had questions: Do I really have enough to retire? How do I simplify all these accounts? What happens with taxes when I sell my stock options? And what about healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in at 65?
The Challenge
Maggie felt confident she had “enough,” but she wanted more than just “enough.” She wanted a plan—one that ensured her wealth could support her retirement lifestyle while also creating a legacy for her children and grandchildren.
The uncertainty was overwhelming:
- How to consolidate scattered retirement accounts
- Understanding what her money was truly invested in
- Navigating the tax impact of stock options
- Covering healthcare before age 65
- Transitioning from saving to actually living off her investments
She realized she didn’t just need investment advice—she needed a clear roadmap.
The Approach
The first step was simple: listen. Maggie didn’t want to be sold a product—she wanted to be heard. We documented her goals, clarified her concerns, and built a plan centered on her values.
Working together with her tax professional, we:
- Created a retirement timeline that factored in Social Security and Medicare
- Consolidated and organized her accounts so she had clarity and confidence
- Designed a tax-smart strategy for systematically selling stock options
- Showed how to maximize her remaining working years to boost savings
- Built a plan for generating income during the “gap years” before Medicare and Social Security
The Results
With a personalized plan in place, Maggie felt peace of mind she hadn’t had before.
- She knew exactly when and how she could retire.
- Her accounts were streamlined and working in harmony.
- Her tax liability was reduced with proactive planning.
- She had a reliable income strategy to carry her into retirement with confidence.
Today, Maggie feels energized—not anxious—about the transition ahead. She’s finishing her career strong, secure in the knowledge that her future is mapped out. And when the time comes, she’ll step into retirement with the freedom to focus on what matters most: her children, her grandchildren, and living life on her terms.
Note: This case study is hypothetical and does not involve an actual Compound Advisory client. It is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a guarantee of similar results.
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