Living a Purposeful Retirement
Are you making the most of your financial independence? Do you have clear goals — but wonder if your investments are still positioned to meet them? Are you prepared for the unexpected, including health concerns or the loss of a spouse?
At APC, we believe that a purposeful retirement isn’t just about money — it’s also about health, relationships, giving, and peace of mind. Our comprehensive planning and investment service is designed to help you adapt and thrive, no matter what life brings.
Regardless of how far you are in life, you probably still have questions about your future. You may be wondering…
- Why is it that taxes seem much more complicated in retirement?
- I want to leave something to my kids, but not too much. How do I enjoy my retirement while still helping my kids and grandkids?
- Have we done everything we need to do make it easy for our heirs?
- How should I plan to pay for medical and long-term care expenses?
- Now that we’re both retired, we want to do more for the organizations we care about. What’s the best way to do that?
Here’s the good news: APC can help!
Case Study #1: Meet the Lees
At 75, Leonard and Debbie Lee are a decade into retirement and living with intention. Debt-free and settled into a comfortable lifestyle, they enjoy gardening, cheering on Lady Vols basketball, and relaxing in their hot tub. Their income comes from Social Security, a modest pension, and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their retirement accounts.
Still, they had lingering questions:
- Are we paying too much in taxes?
- What’s the best way to support our favorite charities?
- Should we keep our long-term care insurance?
- Are our estate plans up to date?
- How do we bring more balance to our investment portfolio?
The APC Way: Purpose with a Plan
Maximizing Social Security and Minimizing Taxes
We advised the Lees to defer Social Security to age 70, which boosted their lifelong benefit. Knowing their commitment to charitable giving, we helped them use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from their IRAs to reduce taxable income. When market conditions allowed, we also employed tax loss harvesting for added relief.
The result? More flexibility in giving—without overpaying Uncle Sam.
Preserving Wealth Through Health Planning
Their long-term care insurance (LTCI), purchased in the 1990s, had grown expensive. The question: drop it or keep it?
We analyzed the numbers. While the Lees could technically self-insure, it could strain their portfolio. We helped them retain a modified version of the LTCI, balancing future care needs with their desire to leave a legacy.
Updating Estate Documents and Legacy Planning
The Lees wanted to support their children and grandchildren now—not just later.
We coordinated updates to their Wills, removed outdated trust provisions, and helped fund their existing Living Trust by re-titling key assets. We also encouraged them to establish Powers of Attorney and guided them in launching a structured annual gifting plan using their APC-managed accounts.
Rebalancing a Concentrated Investment Portfolio
Their portfolio had become overly concentrated in large U.S. stocks—83% equities, little diversification.
We overhauled their investment strategy, lowering risk and adding balance. We allocated several years’ worth of projected spending to bond and municipal funds for liquidity and tax-efficiency, while expanding their growth strategy to include international, small-cap, dividend-focused, and real estate funds.
Case Study #2: Three Years Later
Debbie is now 78 and retired for 13 years. She continues to garden, volunteer, and stay active, but she’s navigating a new chapter after Leonard’s sudden passing last year.
Despite the loss, Debbie is financially steady, thanks in part to years of thoughtful planning.
The APC Way: Support Through Life’s Changes
Keeping Financial Momentum
Debbie now receives Leonard’s full Social Security benefit and lives comfortably on that income plus a survivor’s pension. With a large cash reserve and no debt, she was eager to do more charitable giving and ensure her plan remained sound.
We reaffirmed that her charitable giving through QCDs was still a tax-smart approach and showed her that she could afford to increase her generosity while maintaining long-term financial security.
Continuing Protection and Estate Oversight
As a single retiree, Debbie’s health concerns were top of mind.
We recommended keeping her existing LTCI policy, given that the odds of needing extended care were higher now. We also reviewed her estate documents and encouraged updated healthcare directives.
Her Living Trust, previously established with Leonard, allowed for a smooth financial transition after his passing. With confidence in her plan, Debbie continued her annual gifting schedule for children and grandchildren.