No matter what stage of your career you are in, I’m sure the thought of retirement has crossed your mind a time or two. The retirement party, the vacations, sleeping in, spending time on your golf game – you’ve worked hard so that you can do whatever you want. For many people, the transition to retirement is not all that they were promised – and it can be difficult to understand.
For so many, jobs provide self-worth, motivation, and sometimes, simply a reason to get up every morning. If you make an abrupt transition to retirement, it can feel disjointed, aimless, or confusing – particularly if you’re forced into retirement by layoffs or health concerns. One of the best ways to combat the difficulty of this transition is to make a solid plan. You certainly can’t plan for everything, but planning for as many scenarios as you’re able will provide reassurance and confidence.
And this isn’t just about your financial outlook. It is just as, if not more, important to consider how your lifestyle will change in this new stage of life.
Here are some of the important questions you need to ask as you formulate your retirement plan:
Financial
- When should I start taking Social Security?
- What is my best Medicare option?
- Which of my accounts should I use to replace my income?
- Is there a way that I can pay fewer taxes?
- Can I retire even earlier?
- Am I financially able to sustain my way of life?
- I’ve been forced into retirement, what do I do now?
Lifestyle
- How will I keep myself physically active?
- How will I maintain the self-worth that I received from my job?
- How will I spend and fill my days?
- Are my partner and I on the same page with what our retirement will look like? And will we go crazy being around each other all the time?!
- How will I maintain and build my friendships?
- Will I be near friends or family that can help and support me as I age?
It is important to remember that the answers to these questions may not be the same as your neighbors. Perhaps you can lengthen the longevity of your investment portfolio by delaying your Social Security claiming. Or maybe, rather than quitting work altogether, you would benefit from “downshifting” into a part-time position at your employer that covers your expenses or moving to a bridge job at a new employer that allows you more freedom and flexibility. Retirement is certainly not one size fits all.
If you or someone you know needs assistance putting together a retirement plan, please contact us at www.sgfnc.com or (919) 460-4688.
Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Keep in mind that there is no assurance that any strategy will ultimately be successful or profitable nor protect against a loss. Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional. Any opinions are those of Alex Greene and not necessarily those of Raymond James.