What would you ask Naomi first?
Naomi says, “I have about a million. Could I retire in five years, and should I invest all this cash?”
“What do you want your money to do for you?” (opens the source)
The question
Naomi Ruiz is a fictional 47-year-old resident of New Jersey, United States. Her spouse may receive a UK job offer in 18 months; no move is decided. This is an interview practice packet, not a plan for a real person.
| USD | |
|---|---|
| Cash | 120000 |
| Diversified investment accounts | 600000 |
| Listed employer shares | 300000 |
Account types, holdings, ownership, tax basis, restrictions and liabilities are not yet supplied.
“Give your next question or action, and explain why.”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Clarify the goal
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Ask what retirement means to her
The strong move. A date alone does not define the retirement goal.
Quote a withdrawal rate
Tempting, but it misses something. A withdrawal rate cannot define the desired lifestyle, spending or other income.
See how a strong candidate says it
“What would retiring in five years change in your life, and what spending would it need to support?”
Why it works: A date alone does not define the retirement goal.
Step 2: Build the whole record
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Name the missing liabilities
The strong move. Assets alone are not net worth or a retirement plan.
Call $1.02m her net worth
Tempting, but it misses something. Liabilities are missing. $1.02m is the known financial-asset total, not net worth.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The packet totals $1,020,000 of known financial assets. I still need liabilities, income, spending and account details.”
Why it works: Assets alone are not net worth or a retirement plan.
Step 3: Find dated needs
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Ask what the cash must fund
The strong move. Naomi then reveals $120,000 tuition due in 18 months and a reserve preference.
Invest the full cash balance
Tempting, but it misses something. Some cash may be committed to dated payments. Its purpose is still unknown.
See how a strong candidate says it
“What is the cash for, and which payments have fixed dates?”
Why it works: Naomi then reveals $120,000 tuition due in 18 months and a reserve preference.
Step 4: Agree the next conversation
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Confirm priorities and missing facts
The strong move. Discovery should result in a shared brief.
Promise retirement at 52
Tempting, but it misses something. Assets alone do not establish whether retirement at 52 is feasible.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I would restate the goals and gaps, ask her to confirm them, and agree which records to review next.”
Why it works: Discovery should result in a shared brief.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Build a complete brief before proposing investments.
- Because
- The stated assets omit income, liabilities and dated needs.
- What would change it
- Confirmed spending, debts, income and account details could change the next questions.
Common traps
- A withdrawal rate cannot define the desired lifestyle, spending or other income.
Check your answer
- I asked what retirement means.
- I distinguished assets from net worth.
- I checked dates and cash needs.
- I confirmed the next step.
Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026