Retirement Checklist
Table of Contents
Finances
Consult with your financial advisor.
Reduce or eliminate outstanding debt.
Apply for Social Security benefits, if you haven't already done so.
Speak to your bank about refinancing options.
Determine your health care coverage and expenses once you retire
Do some research to be sure your plan matches your needs and budget.
Review your insurance policies (Homeowners, Long-Term Care, Auto, Life, etc.)
Review the payment options in your pension plan - every month, every year, lump sum, etc.
Find a tax consultant.
Find an attorney.
Create or update your last will & testament with your attorney
Discuss it with beneficiaries.
Set aside some money for emergencies.
Make a budget according to the new lifestyle you will have.
Consider working part-time to keep you busy and earn additional income.
Lifestyle
Choose your retirement date
Be sure to investigate employee benefits before doing so.
Plan a retirement party!
Decide what kind of lifestyle you will have when you retire: active, indulgent, etc.
Research various places you'd like to travel to, the best time of year to travel there and the estimated cost of each trip
Find Bed & Breakfasts.
Learn a new hobby, sport or skill - play an instrument, paint, draw, dance, etc
Find a school.
Turn a hobby or passion into a business
Start a company.
Exercise regularly to stay fit, healthy and strong
Find a gym or personal trainer.
Make your own website or blog
Find a website design company.
Learn a foreign language
Find a language school.
Find places to volunteer your time.
Go back to school to study something you always wanted to learn more about.
Get a pet to keep you company
Find pet services.
Consider obtaining at-home care or assisted living services
Find health care options.
Take on a challenging project you didn't have time for in the past.
Perhaps renovate your home or go green!
Location
Decide if you will spend your retirement in your current location or go elsewhere (new home, nursing home, move in with family, etc
).
If moving, research where you'd like to spend your retirement
Consider things like proximity to transportation hubs, hospitals, family and friends, etc.
Consider selling your current home if you are moving to a new one
Research the market and find a realtor.
Visit the areas you have selected for retirement.
Find local or international retirement properties
Enlist the help of a real estate agent.
Purchase a retirement home, or a second home
See our Buy a House checklist.
If your time will be shared between 2 or more locations, consider renting each home when it is vacant
Find a property management company.
If you are moving, see our 'Moving' checklist for related tasks and deadlines.
Find a moving company to help you relocate.
Consider renovating certain elements of your home to make them more senior-friendly
(Such as walk-in bathtub, door handles, wheelchair accessibility, etc.). Find tradesmen.
Download or Print this Retirement Checklist
Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.
Presented by:
Fae Fisher
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Views: 297
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Uses: 15
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Tasks: 40
Who it's for
This Retirement Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Retirement essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Retirement structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this Retirement Checklist
- Save Retirement Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Retirement (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.