Can Shaun and Kara retire in four years?

This is one of those full case studies that walks through a real couple's numbers to ask a question many people in their early fifties are quietly carrying: can we actually retire when we hope to. With a sizable nest egg weighted toward U.S. holdings and a target just a few years out, the piece works through what it takes to know whether the plan holds together. It's a good window into how a planner approaches the question, looking at spending, the timing of government benefits, how savings are invested and where they're held, and the tax and currency wrinkles that come with a portfolio tilted abroad. Rather than a simple thumbs up or down, it shows the kind of thinking that turns a hopeful retirement date into a tested one. It's especially relevant for couples a handful of years from the finish line who want to pressure-test their own timeline.