5 Questions to Ask about your retirement -

Discover what you should know about your retirement...

  • Will I have enough guaranteed income to cover my essential expenses?

This is the foundation of everything. Social Security alone rarely covers the basics. Before retiring, you need to know that housing, food, healthcare, and utilities are covered by income you can count on — not income that depends on the market having a good year.

  • How long do I need my money to last?

Retirement can last 20, 25, even 30+ years. Most people underestimate this. Planning for longevity means thinking beyond a savings balance and toward an income strategy — one that doesn't run dry if you live to 90.

  • What happens to my plan if the market drops significantly?

A 30% market decline the year you retire is very different from one at age 45. You don't have time to wait for a recovery. Every pre-retiree should know exactly how a major downturn would affect their income and lifestyle — and have a plan for it.

  • Have I accounted for healthcare costs?

Healthcare is consistently the most underestimated retirement expense. Medicare doesn't cover everything, long-term care is expensive, and costs tend to rise faster than inflation. This question alone can reshape an entire retirement plan.

  • What does retirement actually cost - and have I built a real budget around it?

Most people plan around a savings number, not a spending plan. The better question is: what will my life actually cost each month in retirement? What do I need, what do I want, and what's my plan for both? 

It's no secret.

A real retirement budget - not a rough guess - is what separates confident retirees from anxious ones.