Health and Preparedness Realities

16. “I don’t need long-term care insurance; my family will take care of me.”

Assuming your children will manage your physical care in your later years places an enormous emotional and financial burden on them. Furthermore, your care needs might eventually exceed what a family member can safely provide at home. According to the Administration for Community Living, someone turning 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services in their remaining years. You must have a funding plan—whether through insurance, dedicated assets, or Medicaid planning—for a potential care event.

17. “I will volunteer everywhere and save the world.”

Many pre-retirees plan to fill their days with volunteer work, picturing themselves serving meals, mentoring youth, and sitting on nonprofit boards. While noble, finding the right volunteer opportunity is a lot like dating. You will likely try several organizations before finding one that respects your time and utilizes your specific skill set. Do not overcommit your schedule until you find an organization that genuinely energizes you.

18. “I’ll figure out what to do with my time when I get there.”

The “winging it” approach to retirement lifestyle planning leads straight into a wall of depression. Waking up on a Tuesday morning with absolutely nothing on your calendar sounds great in month one; it feels terrifying in year three. You need a structured plan for your time just as much as you need an asset allocation model for your money.

19. “I am totally ready for this transition.”

We convince ourselves that hitting the financial target means we are emotionally ready for the lifestyle shift. You are never completely ready. Leaving the accumulation phase of life and entering the decumulation phase—where you actively spend down the money you spent decades hoarding—feels incredibly unnatural. Acknowledge that the transition will be bumpy and give yourself grace during the first couple of years.

20. “Once I am retired, I will stop worrying about money.”

The anxiety of saving for retirement is simply replaced by a new anxiety: making the money last. Market volatility feels much more threatening when you are pulling cash from your portfolio to buy groceries. You will still worry about the economy, tax legislation, and inflation. The goal is not to eliminate financial concern, but to build a robust plan that allows you to sleep peacefully despite the economic noise.