A client called for a portfolio review. Within minutes, she said something that I always like to hear. She and her husband were earning more in retirement than they had during their working years. She paused, as if the reality still surprised her. They weren’t touching savings at all. Everything they needed came from monthly income.
Most people assume retirement means scaling back. You stop working, draw down accounts, and live more modestly. But that’s not always what happens. Clients who planned carefully often end up with pension income, *Bituach Leumi*, Social Security, and investment distributions that exceed what they once earned from salaries. Add in lower expenses once the mortgage is paid and children are independent, and the math flips.
How the income structure came together
The couple’s base monthly income came from pensions and *Bituach Leumi*. The husband continued working part-time, adding a meaningful amount. They also held significant savings in both Israeli retirement accounts and U.S. accounts. Nothing required liquidation. Their lifestyle was fully funded by recurring payments.
This didn’t happen by accident. Years earlier, they had built diversified income sources across borders. U.S. accounts provided dollar-based growth. Israeli accounts held funds that would produce shekel-based income if needed. The result was financial flexibility without touching principal.
Why surplus income shifts planning priorities
When income exceeds spending, the focus changes. Portfolio growth becomes less urgent than tax efficiency and estate clarity. Clients in this position often realize their accounts will transfer to children rather than fund their own retirements. That changes how we think about allocation, withdrawal timing, and account structure.
I’ve seen families delay decisions because they assume they’ll eventually need the money. Years pass, and accounts remain untouched. The planning question becomes how to pass assets efficiently rather than how to spend them. Beneficiary designations, account titling, and cross-border estate coordination matter more than return optimization.
If your accounts remain largely untouched years into retirement, it may be time to revisit your financial structure. Schedule a free introductory call or contact our office at 02-624-2788.
DISCLAIMER: Douglas Goldstein, CFP® is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. profile-financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for help with your U.S. brokerage and IRA accounts. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The author’s opinions are not necessarily those of PRG or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates provide tax or legal advice.
Published July 21, 2026.