Overview: The important checks to make as your target retirement date gets closer. Retirement planning is personal, so use this guide as a framework for questions and decisions rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
Clarify your date and income
Confirm your intended retirement date, employment flexibility, expected pension options, and any official benefit estimates.
Make spending more realistic
Track actual household spending and estimate changes after work ends. Include travel, taxes, insurance, healthcare, and home maintenance.
Test difficult scenarios
Model a market downturn, a later pension start date, inflation, and unforeseen family costs. Identify adjustments you could make.
Review accounts and beneficiaries
Locate account statements, check investment fees and withdrawal restrictions, update beneficiary information, and organize key documents.
Create a transition checklist
Consider how you will replace workplace benefits, arrange your first year of withdrawals, handle taxes, and decide how you will spend your time.
Seek advice when appropriate
A qualified adviser or tax professional can help navigate specific pension elections, withdrawal rules, and cross-border issues.
Choose one action from this guide, write down the information you need, and schedule a date to review it. Consider speaking with an appropriately qualified professional for your specific situation.
This article is general educational information. It is not individualized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice, and does not promise results.