Same wealth. Different retirement.Meet Bill and Tom.
They retire at the same age with the same savings and similar investment returns. The sequence of choices after work produces two very different outcomes.
The default retirement
Bill
B
Retirement age60
Starting savings$2.0 million
Tax approachWithdraw as needed
HealthcareBuys at market cost
LocationOne permanent choice
Later-life taxesLarge forced income
Illustrative late-life estate$2.3M
The designed retirement
Tom
T
Retirement age60
Starting savings$2.0 million
Tax approachPlans the low-income window
HealthcareCoordinates income and coverage
LocationAdapts by life phase
Later-life taxesReduces forced income
Illustrative late-life estate$3.8M
βThe difference was not who saved more. It was who made the sequence of decisions visible before retirement began.β