Setting your date to retire can be one of the most stressful decisions you’ll ever make. Maybe you’ve been anticipating this day for a long time - or dreading it. Retirement means different things to different people, but no matter what, you still need to prepare.

Let’s talk about the five things that you need to consider: what you are retiring to, current income versus retirement income, current expenses versus retirement expenses, having enough resources (money), and changes to your plan.

This post was last updated on January 07, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

If you’re required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), then knowing your options is important. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a useful tool to keep in mind.

The safety of your money is important when working with a financial planner for the first time. You worked hard to save for retirement. Protecting your assets may be why you’re hiring a financial planner in the first place.

The type of financial planning professional, compensation models, business structures, and legal protections are all important considerations. Not all firms manage investments the same - some don’t manage investments at all.

Deciding on when to draw Social Security based on only one or two factors could be a huge mistake.  As you approach retirement, your financial life doesn’t necessarily become less complicated.  In some ways it gets even more complex.

It may seem like making the right decision is pretty straightforward.  However, once you include all the different income, tax, and lifestyle variables, it isn’t that easy.  At NextGen Wealth, we help guide you through these decisions in a deliberate and methodical approach.

Retiring early might sound nice, but not if you’re forced into it!  If you are forced to retire sooner than you planned, you’ll need to prepare yourself for your next chapter a bit abruptly.  You may not have saved as much money as you had hoped, or this may mean smaller dreams for you.

Regardless of what forced you to retire early, there are steps you can take to improve your financial position. Let’s talk about what you need to consider if you find yourself in this situation.

This post was last updated on November 30, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Deciding when to draw Social Security benefits is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a retiree. You must carefully consider your specific situation and goals. Don’t wait until you’re eligible to make these important decisions.

This post was last updated on January 06, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Understanding when capital gains can push you into a higher tax bracket is very important.  The final step of investing success is keeping your hard-earned cash where it belongs – in your bank account!

When you start thinking about how Medicare will cover your health care needs, you should consider making one major decision. That decision will be whether you choose to enroll in federally run Original Medicare or go for a private insurance alternative.

Most people overall are satisfied with their plan of Original Medicare, besides the unpredictable out-of-pocket costs, as well as not having dental and vision care coverage. However, Private Medicare plans provide solutions to these issues and many other benefits.

One of the most expensive things for retirees to have to deal with is healthcare. Healthcare is not cheap. In fact, it seems to get more expensive every year. 

Yet, in retirement, most of us are saddled with the less than 70% income we were making before retirement. So, how does one still afford healthcare in retirement?

This post was last updated on January 03, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

You may have spent your whole life working towards retirement. However, as you get closer to retirement, there are so many feelings and doubts that can creep in and cause you stress. There’s no need to worry – as long as you have a plan.