It’s almost time for you to take a step back from the grind of working your normal 9-5. You’ve been working almost your whole life. Finally, it’s your turn to relax and enjoy your retirement. Though you’ve made a career, diligently saved, and taken all the right steps to make sure you may be secure, you’re still a little weary about what comes next.
It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed, there’s not much out there about what to do in this final stage. In order to make your last year in the workforce go smoothly, we’ve put together this list of five steps you need to take in the year before your retirement.
Be Debt Free
Though your savings have taken priority over the last few years, it may not have occurred to you that it would be best for your financial future to be completely debt free before retirement. There are several things that you can implement in your daily life to overcome financial stresses and gain a little peace of mind. But being debt free is one of the most important things to do for yourself during this period of time.
Because you’ll be on a stricter budget during your retirement, be certain to pay off any outstanding loans, mortgages, or any other debt if you can. If you are not in a position to completely pay off these debts, then think about consolidation before retirement. That way you can budget one, easy to remember payment! Do your research and learn more about personal pension options, facts and answer any questions before you start planning.
Income Estimates
Run the numbers for your monthly income from your pension account. Then, run them again. Be absolutely certain of the allowance you will be able to give to yourself, because financial surprises like running out of money in the middle of the month are not an option!
Find a reliable pension provider to deal with your savings and make certain you are taken care of in your golden years. Do some research to find the right private pension firm for your needs, or make certain to speak with someone from your company’s pension program before you retire. This way you have all of your financial information ready for your fun retirement plans!
Create a Detailed Budget
One of the most important, if not THE most important, things to do in the year before retirement is to sit down and create a detailed budget. You’ll be on a fixed income and unnecessary spending isn’t really an option for most. Here are a few things to consider while making a detailed monthly budget:
- Food
- Bills
- Car/House payments
- Holiday expenditures
- Self-care needs
- Transportation
- Entertainment
Any important personal needs
These are, of course, very basic needs, but being prepared with a detailed budget is extremely important. Be certain to include any “fun” expenditures like going out to dinner, seeing a movie, or even a big fishing trip! You may also look into ways to supplement your retirement finances to make certain that everything is taken care of so that you can relax!
Insurance and Investments
One thing that no one really talks about is how you’ll be receiving insurance benefits during your retirement. If you have had health insurance through your company for the last several years, you’ll need to find either a way to extend that insurance, or a new way get benefits. That way there are no unexpected medical incidents without proper coverage!
Make a List!
Saving money, finding ways to supplement your income, being budget wise, all of that is great preparation for your retirement. However, your priorities should also be on finding ways to ENJOY spending your days living a life of leisure.
Make a bucket list of all the things you would like to see, all of the foods you’d like to try, all of the places you’d like to visit. This will be helpful for your budget, yes, but this bucket list will also give you something to look forward to next year!
Our 5 Steps to Help You Before Retirement Next Year!
Whether you make a list, or a tight budget, these five steps are essential for planning for your retirement. This is your last year working, and after you’ve taken all of the steps we’ve laid out for you, you’ll be ready to sit back, relax, and really enjoy your retirement!
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