Retirement Signs that You’re Ready for the New Chapter of Life

When can I retire? Many wonder this when looking for retirement signs. After all, who doesn’t want to pursue the ideal lifestyle they’ve always dreamt of? Moreover, people keenly look forward to their post-retirement life because it brings them peace, new experiences, and moments to cherish forever. However, you can only retire when you are financially stable – this is the main sign that you are ready. This means having a comprehensive financial plan and achieving your goals is crucial before you transition into retirement. What are the other signs? Keep reading to find out! Here are the 10 signs indicating it is time to retire.

10 Signs It Time to Retire

Undoubtedly, retirement can be the golden years of your life. It opens doors to a multitude of new adventures and unforgettable moments with loved ones. However, to build the life you want to eventually pursue, you must have financial security. Besides, there are many types of signs indicating you are ready to retire – financial, e motional, and psychological.

Here are the 10 signs it time to retire. You can take it as a checklist; when you have ticked off all of these retirement signs, you are ready to step into the new chapter of your life – retirement.

You are At the Retirement Age

Not sure whether you are ready to retire or not? If this is the case, you can consider the full retirement age as one of the retirement signs. Moreover, you may be wondering: what is the legal retirement age? Well, it’s the age when you can withdraw the benefits of social security. For instance, for those who are born in 1960 or later, the retirement age is 67. 

Did you know that you can also take early or delayed retirement? Moreover, in both cases, the social security benefits differ as compared to when you take timely retirement.

Your Retirement Planning is Sorted

Another one of the retirement signs is that you have a well-rounded retirement plan to build your ideal lifestyle. If it were up to us, we would’ve retired as early as we could. Because let’s be honest, who wants to be stuck in the boring 9 to 5 routine? However, it is only wise that you retire once you have sorted the post-retirement finances. Therefore, it is important to map out your financial needs and goals thoroughly before stepping into this new phase. Moreover, a retirement plan helps you reach the financial security you seek to live your life after retirement to the fullest.

“A retirement plan is a roadmap that lets you accumulate enough money to build the lifestyle you want to enjoy in the future.” - Investopedia

You Have Paid-Off All the Debt

Debt can impact your capacity for retirement savings. Moreover, with debt hanging on your shoulders, it is never a good idea to step into retirement life. So, one of the main retirement signs is that you have paid off all the debt or have reduced it to a manageable rate. Also, here are some of the types of debt you have to pay off:

• Credit card payments
• Outstanding loans
• Mortgage payments

Almost 47% of the total workers and 24% of the retirees report that their debt negatively impacts their ability to save for retirement. – 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey by Greenwald Research

Therefore, be wise; consider eliminating as much debts as you can from your financial life before you retire. This will enable you to take control of your finances and enhance stability.

Secure Retirement Income Streams

A comfortable retirement is all about having enough money to afford necessities as well as luxuries. And for this, having a stable and secure financial source is of the essence. Furthermore, you should know that you are financially capable of maintaining your life – this is also one of the retirement signs you are looking for. A stable retirement income is a mix of:

• Pension
• Social Security
• Savings
• Investments

Moreover, money from diversified sources prevents the need to depend on a single one and mitigates risks.

Your Portfolio is in Good Condition

Retirement signs also include having a well-balanced and robust portfolio. This means your investments are distributed across various assets: stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Besides, with such diverse asset allocation, you minimize risks and enhance potential returns. Moreover, before you enter into the retirement phase, it is necessary to make sure your portfolio is in good standing. For this, you should seek professional review and assessment. After all, only a professional financial advisor can tell if your portfolio is healthy enough to back your retirement or not.

Not Financially Supporting Anyone

If you are not providing for your children anymore, this is one of the retirement signs that you are ready to transition into the golden period of your life –retirement. Not financially supporting anyone means you are free to think and plan for your finances. Furthermore, it means that you can control and manage your money however you want to. In other words, this gives you the chance to think about your fulfilling your own needs and aspirations in the best way possible. You can now fully embrace the adventures this new life holds for you.

You’ve Got an Emergency Fund

You have ticked off all the signs above but you don’t have access to an emergency fund. This is a sign that you should rethink your decision to retire. After all, it provides protection against unexpected expenses that you may come across. And not having any separate funds in such a situation can put your retirement savings at risk. So, it is always important to have some extra money to help you stand up against anything unplanned.  

“An emergency fund should cover your three months of living expenses and should be supplemented by a home equity line of credit.” – RetireGuide

You Have Comprehensive Insurance

Having comprehensive insurance coverage is a vital component of retirement readiness. It gives you peace of mind that you’ll have a stress-free life after retirement. Moreover, insurance plans keep you prepared for all sorts of unforeseen circumstances. With comprehensive insurance, you are not just covered financially but it helps you make sure that you can manage medical expenses without financial strain. Besides, your insurance planning should include the following types:

• Life
• Health
• Property 

Achieved Your Career Objectives

One of the retirement signs that make it obvious that you are ready is that you have achieved all your career goals. As we proceed in our professional lives, we map out certain milestones to reach. No matter what industry or what designation we are working in, achieving these milestones is what we aim at. When you have reached all those, it means you are ready for the next phase – the golden phase of retirement. If you are done with all your career goals, it’s time for you to pack up your bags and journey toward the destination of retirement.

You Have Post-Retirement Goals

Your life doesn’t end with your work. In fact, you can say that it starts when your work ends. If you have set goals regarding your post-retirement life, you are absolutely ready to retire. You have all the right to plan however you want to live your life. Plan the activities you have always wanted to do and hobbies you’ve always wanted to adopt. Moreover, retirement is the perfect time when you can fulfill all those travel dreams that had remained dreams because of your busy work schedule. 

Ready to Have a Peaceful Retirement Life?

If you have checked off all the points – retirement signs – in the above list, congratulations! You are ready to retire! Besides, you must sort out your income, investment, and debt situation before you step into this stage of life. Also, you must have insurance coverage backing your finances. If you have achieved all these, you are ready for a hassle-free retirement. So, say goodbye to the mundane routine of 9 to 5 because you are all set to embrace the Zen lifestyle you have planned for yourself.