Retirement Checklist
If you're nearing the end of your career, it can be important to make key decisions in a timely manner. Consider the steps outlined in this flier to help you prepare for retirement.
Making sure you’re ready for retirement usually starts with a plan.
If you’re nearing the end of your career, it can be important to make key decisions in a timely manner. That way, when the big day comes, you can begin this new phase of your life with peace of mind and confidence.
Consider these steps as you near retirement.
Eighteen Months Before Retirement
Meet with a financial professional to review your investments and debt. Are your current investments consistent with your risk Tolerance? Are there ways you can reduce and pay off debt?
Are you maximizing your savings? If you’re not saving enough to get the full company match, you’re leaving free money on the table.
Twelve Months Before Retirement
Think about your retirement budget and what your needs will be. Will you continue to work? Are you planning to move? What types of activities could affect your expenses? What does a realistic picture of your life in retirement look like?
Take a look at the various Social Security options you have. You can visit www.SSA.com to determine your benefit amount.
Six Months Before Retirement
Your company’s human resources department can provide information on benefits your company may offer retirees and which you’ll need to pay for. Resources like eHealthInsurance.com provide an abundance of free information.
If you haven’t done so already, this can be a good time to review (and make available to your family) your will, beneficiary information and health care directives.
Three Months Before Retirement
If you’re within three months of turning 65, you are able to sign up for Medicare. Visit www.medicare.gov for more information before signing up.
Also, the fun part of retirement is having a lot of free time. While you don’t need to schedule every spare moment, it can help to have some activities planned. Look into hobbies, volunteer opportunities and travel destinations that you’ve always dreamed about.
It’s never too early, or too late, to make good retirement decisions. For those nearing retirement, making a checklist and diligently completing each task will help ensure a smooth transition.
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