Illustrative only: This is a fictional household and does not show a real client result, guarantee, or personalized recommendation.
At a glance
Household: Jordan, 63, and Alex, 60 — fictional and illustrative
Option A: Both retire this year
Option B: Jordan retires now; Alex works through age 62
The decision
The couple had a shared monthly spending goal but different views of work. They wanted to see the financial effect without treating the decision as only a spreadsheet problem.
What changed in the comparison
Keeping one paycheck for two more years could give the portfolio more time before both people needed withdrawals. It also changed the timing of health coverage, saving, and Social Security choices.
The real tradeoff
A staggered date can improve cash flow, but it affects routines, caregiving, travel, and the kind of retirement each person hopes to have. Their comparison gave them specific questions to discuss together.