Greetings!,

Have you heard the retirees that state "I have so much to do now I am not sure how I ever had time to work?"

For many, retirement seems to be that far off goal that for some reason still sneaks up on people. I have also come to realize, that retirement falls into a number of categories, and not a one-size-fits-all bucket.

For example, the "unexpected retiree" maybe be forced to quit work for reasons such as health issues, layoffs, or caregiving needs. These types of loss of employment can be accompanied by financial and psychological challenges.

Another type may be the "work-as-long-as -I-can". I am always curious as to the reason why. Is it working past normal retirement because the job is enjoyed, financial needs, or just not having anything to retire to.

I also look at the "have-enough, had -enough." They are tired of working, have the assets they need to walk away from employment and not look back.

However, I think most of the people I know fall into the category of "part-time" retirement. They may or may not be working their former career job, but they continue to work in a less stressful way because a job fills their day. The paycheck that comes along with this doesn't seem to hurt either.

If you are fortunate enough to not be forced into retirement, here are some considerations to be aware of:

• Can you afford to stop working? Be sure to work with an expert who may help you consider the full cost of retirement. Things like health care costs, taxes and inflation can eat away big pieces of retirement savings.
• Are you ready to stop working? Work may give you a sense of purpose, connection to others, or other social aspects that may not be there when you retire.
• Can your retirement savings and income handle market swings? I know many planners who look at average rates of return over 20 or 30 years when forecasting. However, things like sequence of returns, market corrections, or unexpected large expenses can derail retirement plans. This also stresses the importance of Monte Carlo analysis to make sure various factors are considered.
• Would waiting longer and maximizing social security income (SSI) be a benefit? We have talked before how taking SSI before full retirement age creates a permanent income reduction. While this is mostly illustrated as a 6% per year reduction, delaying can also create an 8% per year benefit¹.
• What are you retiring to? For me, this is the question that seems to get overlooked the most. If you know the type of lifestyle you’ll live in retirement it become much easier to plan properly. By having a plan, you’ll know when you can shift into that lifestyle both mentally and financially.

We have the tools and leadership to help address these areas for you. We would like to help in this area. However, whether you're with us, working on your own, or with another professional, be sure to plan. Someone once told me that failing to plan is planning to fail.

As always, thanks for reading.



Bernie & Chad

1 - JP Morgan Guide to Retirement, 2026, page 44