How to Retire

Visualize how you want to spend your retirement time, start mentally preparing, and bolster your relationships.

People often focus too much on the financial preparation aspect of retirement without thinking much about how to spend their post-work time meaningfully. Without structure or purpose, extended leisure can feel unfulfilling and lead to a sense of aimlessness. To avoid this eventuality, build skills and habits before retirement that allow you to stay engaged in hobbies, volunteer work, or learning new things post-retirement. Rather than just embarking on a bucket list of trips, for example, establish routines that bring daily satisfaction, punctuated by occasional exciting events and adventures.

Mentally preparing for retirement involves more than just financial readiness; it requires anticipating the emotional and social changes that come with leaving the workforce. You might face feelings of uncertainty or a loss of purpose as your career winds down. Focus on exploring new avenues that give you a sense of fulfillment, like starting a passion project or getting involved in your community. Take time to experiment with...