PEP, November 2016: Countdown to Retirement: A pre-retirement checklist from the DC 37 Personal Service Unit

Public Employee Press

Countdown to Retirement
A pre-retirement checklist from the DC 37 Personal Service Unit

Planning Ahead

10 Years to Go

Review your investment plan
Check Social Security benefit estimates every few years

5 Years to Go

Take stock of living expenses
Review portfolio allocations
Learn to invest
Pay down debt

3 Years to Go

Understand your pension options
Decide where you will live
Review your health insurance
Create a preliminary retirement budget

The Final Year

12 Months to Go
Decide on a target retirement date
11 Months to Go
If you are planning to relocate, pick your spot and take an extended vacation there
9 Months to Go
Plan a retirement budget
8 Months to Go
Analyze your investment strategy
6 Months to Go
Start thinking about health insurance
5 Months to Go
Decide how you will take money from your company's retirement benefit, such as a 401(k) or 457 plan
3 Months to Go
Apply for Social Security three months before you want payments to begin
1 Month to Go
Pay off any loans from your 401(k) plan