Emily & Marcus
Anesthesiologist at URMC & Attorney in Rochester
CASE STUDY 04 : AGES 38 & 39
Young High Earners
Primary Goals:
Optimize savings, reduce taxes, support their growing family, and create a life they want to enjoy now, not 30 years from now.
Emily, an anesthesiologist at URMC, and Marcus, an attorney at a Rochester law firm, are in their late 30s with two young children. Their combined household income is over $500,000, and their careers are accelerating quickly.
On paper, they were “doing well.” They owned a home in Pittsford, were saving in their retirement plans, and kept money in the bank. But their actual experience was different. They felt like they were working constantly and still not confident they were using their income wisely.
Like many high-achieving U of R professionals, they didn’t want to wait until retirement to “start living.” They wanted a life that felt aligned today: more travel, a better balance of work and family, and opportunities for their kids they never had growing up.
What they didn’t have was a coordinated plan tying their income, savings, investments, taxes, and family goals together.
The Challenge
As their careers advanced, so did the complexity of their finances. They had important questions but no roadmap:
How can we save aggressively without postponing the life we want today?
Are we optimizing the right accounts at the right levels?
What’s the smartest way to balance pre-tax, Roth, and taxable savings?
How much should go toward retirement versus a travel fund or future home upgrades?
How do we avoid overpaying in taxes as our income grows?
How much risk should we take with our investments?
What’s the right plan for college savings without sacrificing our own goals?
Are we “doing enough,” or just guessing?
Emily and Marcus weren’t looking to retire early. They were looking for clarity, structure, and confidence.
Our Approach
We began with a Clarity Meeting to understand their priorities, concerns, lifestyle goals, and vision for their family. From there, we built a coordinated plan focused on the next decade.
1. Optimizing Tax-Efficient Savings
For Emily (URMC):
Maxed out pre-tax 403(b)
Maxed out 457(b)
Maxed out HSA
Completed Backdoor Roth IRA
Set targeted monthly contributions to a joint brokerage account
Ensured a properly funded emergency reserve
For Marcus:
Maxed out 401(k)
Implemented Backdoor Roth IRA
Evaluated cash balance and partner-track benefit options
2. Aligning Investments With Real-Life Goals
We built a strategy that separated their investments by purpose:
Money for near-term goals (home upgrades, travel, experiences with kids)
Medium-term investments (future home, work flexibility, career changes)
Long-term wealth (retirement and multi-generational planning)
3. A 20-Year Tax & Wealth Trajectory
We created a roadmap that included:
Balancing pre-tax versus Roth contributions
Laying groundwork for future Roth conversions
Using their brokerage account for lifestyle flexibility
Minimizing “tax drag” through proper asset location
4. Protecting Their Family
Not through products, but through planning:
Coordinated term life coverage
Disability protection for Emily’s specialized career
Updated beneficiaries
Will, guardianship, and estate planning considerations
Appropriate umbrella insurance
5. Reducing Financial Noise
We simplified their entire financial life into a clear action plan that removed decision fatigue and gave them structure without rigidity.
The Results
With their Wealth Blueprint in place, Emily and Marcus:
Gained total clarity on how much to save, where to save, and why
Created a spending plan that supported travel, lifestyle upgrades, and family experiences
Put excess income to work rather than letting it sit idle
Reduced future tax burdens through smarter account selection
Balanced investment risk with their real goals
Built a flexible 5, 10, and 20-year plan that grows with their careers
Strengthened their financial security while creating more room for joy today
Today, they feel more intentional and confident. They know exactly how to support their children, build wealth thoughtfully, and live a life that feels aligned with what matters most today.
Learn more about my approach to retirement planning for University of Rochester professionals.
“This case study is provided for illustrative purposes only to provide an example of the firm’s process and methodology. The results portrayed in this case study are not representative of all client situations or experiences. An individual’s experience may vary based on his or her individual circumstances and there can be no assurance that the firm will be able to achieve similar results in comparable situations. No portion of this case study is to be interpreted as a testimonial or endorsement of the firm’s investment advisory services. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice.”