Stage 3 of the IFC life-cycle framework is the mature earning years , generally associated with clients approximately age 30 to 50 whose financial circumstances and disposable income have improved significantly. Family commitments still exist, but they have normally moderated compared with the family-commitment stage. Valerie and Patrick are successful professionals with older dependent children, which is the strongest match for this profile. Dorothy and Ted are entering the family-commitment stage, while James and Lisa more closely resemble the early earning years. Sandra and David, whose children have already left home, are more consistent with the later stages approaching retirement. IFC describes Stage 3 as a period when wealth accumulation accelerates and clients can devote greater resources to longer-term objectives, particularly retirement. Therefore, C is correct.

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