Begin with the life you want
Before gathering statements, write down what you would like retirement to make possible. Think about an ordinary week, not only the trips or major milestones. Would you continue working in a smaller role? Spend more time with family? Make a change in where you live? These details give the financial conversation a purpose.
Bring a broad picture of the arrangements
List the retirement accounts, income sources and insurance policies you already have. Include arrangements through an employer as well as those you established independently. If you have an existing annuity, bring the contract information you can find. The first task is understanding what is in place, not deciding in advance what should change.
Separate what you know from what you want to confirm
Some numbers may be estimates. That is a useful starting point when clearly identified. Note the questions that would help you feel more confident: what income might be available, what expenses you expect, or how an existing contract works. We can then identify the information needed for a more detailed review.
Include the responsibilities around retirement
Bring family support, a mortgage, business interests and health-coverage changes into the conversation. These responsibilities can matter just as much to your desired retirement as the date itself. If a spouse, partner or professional should be involved, let us know so the right people are in the room.
Leave room for your questions
A short list of the questions you most want answered is often more useful than a stack of documents without a clear purpose. Your Legacy Planning Blueprint can help organize that starting picture before we meet, and the retirement perspective offers a wider view of what the conversation covers.
A PRACTICAL CHECKLIST
- A written paragraph on what you want retirement to look like.
- Your expected income sources, including Social Security.
- Retirement accounts and any annuity contract details.
- Health coverage now, and when it changes.
- Your top questions, in your own words.
General educational information and questions for discussion. Individual circumstances and specific policy terms should be reviewed with the appropriate professionals.
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