A dream they could see, but weren’t sure they could reach.
For Sam and Sandy Barrett*, retirement wasn’t just about stopping work—it was about achieving their retirement dream. After spending five years caring for Sandy’s mother, they were ready for their next chapter: moving closer to their kids and grandkids and buying a lakefront home they could pass down for generations.
They pictured mornings on the water, afternoons filled with laughter, and evenings around the fire with their growing family. Their dream was clear. But the path to achieving it wasn’t.
The Questions Holding Them Back
Like many couples approaching retirement, Sam and Sandy weren’t sure how to take the next step. They had worked hard, saved well, and made smart financial decisions—but still had big questions:
- Can we afford to retire and buy our dream home?
- Which assets should we use to buy the property?
- How do we create stable income so we don’t outlive our savings?
- Are we paying too much in taxes, and could that impact our retirement?
- What if we make the wrong decision and disrupt our financial security?
They didn’t just want to retire—they wanted to retire with confidence.
Planning a Retirement Dream: How the Barretts Did It Right
This is where smart planning made all the difference. With Alterra’s help, Sam and Sandy turned a dream that once felt out of reach into a structured, sustainable plan for their future.
- Mapped Out Their Retirement Readiness
- We reviewed their retirement savings, income sources, and projected expenses to confirm their retirement timeline.
- We calculated exactly what they needed to cover income, lifestyle costs, and future healthcare needs.
- Protected Their Retirement from Market Risk
- We created an income strategy that wasn’t overly dependent on market performance.
- Their portfolio was rebalanced to prioritize stable income and inflation-aligned growth.
- Created a Smart Strategy for Their Dream Home
- Instead of withdrawing savings in a tax-inefficient way, we used a tailored strategy to fund their lake home.
- We earmarked specific assets for the purchase and long-term maintenance—without compromising their retirement income.
By answering these questions before making big financial moves, Sam and Sandy stepped into retirement with clarity and peace of mind.
Five Years Later: Living Their Dream Retirement
Today, Sam and Sandy are five years into their retirement plan—and their dream has become reality. They spend their days hosting family at their lakefront home, making memories with grandkids, and enjoying the lifestyle they once weren’t sure they could afford.
When they call us, we can hear the laughter of children in the background as they relax on their deck. They’re living their retirement dream—without worry, second-guessing, or financial stress.
What You Can Learn from the Barretts’ Story
- Retirement isn’t just about having enough—it’s about knowing how to use your money wisely.
- Buying your dream home in retirement is possible with the right strategy.
- A well-structured plan can help bring clarity and confidence.
- You don’t have to do it alone—the right financial team makes all the difference.
Are You Ready to Live Your Retirement Dream?
If you’ve been wondering whether your retirement dream is truly possible, we’d love to help you build a plan that makes it happen. Let’s turn your vision into reality—together.
Let’s talk about your retirement goals.
Want to learn more about key retirement strategies? Check out these articles:
- Wealth-Building & Mountain Climbing
- Sequence of Returns: Why Timing Matters
- How Much Do You Need to Retire?
*Hypothetical example(s) are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to represent the past or future performance of any specific investment strategies for actual clients.
Josh Whelan
CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®
Partner, Financial Advisor
About the Author
Josh sees his profession as a calling, not just a career. His motive for pursing financial planning was very personal. While working on a degree in marriage and family counseling, Josh’s father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Josh decided then and there to change career paths to help his family prepare for an uncertain financial future. Financial planning became his path to serving others.
The “Alterra” name was coined by joining the Latin roots “alter”, the origin of the word “altruism” with “terra” meaning earth or land. This name reflects the company philosophy of “clients before profits” and providing firmly grounded advice.
