Linda
Sample planTeacher · 59 · Austin, TX
married to Bob, a machinist with a full SS record
31 years teaching in a district outside Social Security — and a law that changed in 2025 means half the advice she'll find online is now wrong, in her favor.
Runs out of savings at 65. Even with the pension, spending outruns it
Income streams
Savings — $75,000
Spending
The 12-month glide
- 12 months out
Pension estimate and survivor-option election reviewed — the irrevocable one. And the retiree health plan priced to 65 as a real line item.
- 9 months out
The 2025 check: spousal benefits off Bob's record used to be wiped out by her pension offset. The law repealing that changed the math — verify what she's actually owed now.
- 6 months out
Run the mortality scenarios both directions. Her pension option and his Social Security survivor rules interact — the chart makes the asymmetry visible in one click.
- 3 months out
The 403(b) sweep: teacher-plan vendor lists are annuity-salesman country. Check the fees and the surrender schedule on the old contract.
- 3 months out
The Parent PLUS loan she signed for her son has fifteen years left and does not care that she retired. Price it as a line that runs to 74, not as a debt that gets cleaned up first — and find out what the loan is actually called, because only a consolidated one has any income-driven option at all.
Now run Linda’s plan.
Open the What-If board with Linda’s exact numbers — drag a lever and watch the earliest age Linda can actually retire.
Explore Linda’s What-If →