Case Studies
At North Haven Financial, we provide fully virtual, fee-only fiduciary retirement planning for clients at every stage of their retirement journey. Whether you’re preparing to retire, navigating the transition, or already retired, our real-world case studies show how we help clients maximize Social Security, optimize Medicare, and create tax-efficient retirement income plans — all tailored to your unique goals.
Pre-Retirement
Client Situation
Peter, an executive in his late 50s, and Heather married later in life and have two young children. Although both plan to work for several more years and are financially comfortable, they wanted to review their financial situation to ensure they were taking the right steps for a secure retirement while protecting their children’s future.
Client Objectives
Adapt quickly to an accelerated move to a warmer climate without compromising long-term goals
Ensure funding for children’s education
Maintain a comfortable retirement lifestyleWhat We Have Done So Far
What We’ve Done So Far
Income & Savings Planning: Created a flexible plan prioritizing retirement and children’s education needs
Retirement Withdrawal Strategy: Developed a policy to manage income from the end of their careers through retirement
Insurance Review: Ensured appropriate coverage and benefits for both spouses and their children
Home Sale & Purchase Assistance: Facilitated wire transfers for the proceeds of their home transactions
Tax Planning: Analyzed Peter’s deferred compensation payouts to optimize tax efficiency
At Retirement
Client Situation
Jane, an engineer, had planned to work for another 2–3 years but was offered an early retirement package shortly after becoming a client. While she had saved well for retirement, this accelerated timeline required a plan to transition smoothly, ensuring her income would cover both short-term and long-term goals.
Client Objectives
Maintain steady retirement income while supporting future goals and expenses
Remodel her home and purchase a new vehicle within the next 12–18 months
Enjoy retirement while beginning part-time work with her daughter
What We Have Done So Far
Retirement Account Setup: Guided Jane through opening accounts, rolling over IRAs, and managing distributions
Expense Analysis: Conducted a deep dive into pre- and post-retirement living expenses to help manage and enjoy her savings
Severance Planning: Developed a strategy to optimize the use of her severance payments
Portfolio Rebalancing: Adjusted holdings to reflect her risk tolerance and align with retirement goals
Social Security Optimization: Analyzed claiming options to maximize benefits alongside other income sources
Retired
Client Situation
Hannah and Natalie retired from federal careers and had reliable pensions, but they wanted peace of mind by working with a partner experienced in retirement planning. With no heirs or legacy goals, their focus was on confidently managing their finances and spending on experiences.
Client Objectives
Complete larger home improvements after moving into a new house
Enjoy early retirement years to the fullest, including annual national and international trips
Maintain financial confidence and stability for long-term retirement
What We Have Done So Far
Implement a stable income strategy to cover up-front renovation expenses, and provide stability for their plan while delaying Social Security. Delaying Social Security meant they could maximize their benefit in the long run.
Developed an ongoing tax planning strategy, including a penalty-free partial rollover of an old annuity, to increase long-term flexibility and reduce costs
Implemented an ongoing tax planning strategy to reduce lifetime taxes while increasing the balances in their tax-free Roth accounts
Reviewed their estate plan and helped revise their beneficiaries to fit their end-of-life goals
Interested in seeing how a customized retirement plan could work for you? Whether you’re preparing for retirement, transitioning now, or enjoying your golden years, our virtual, fee-only fiduciary approach helps you plan with confidence.
Disclaimer
The above examples are representative of actual clients. We changed the names for privacy. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Please contact us for more complete information based on your personal circumstances and to obtain individual investment advice.