Retirement is a stage in life that should be looked forward to and celebrated. But to get there, you have to plan accordingly. Like learning a new skill, planning for retirement is a long-term process that includes countless course corrections and practice along the way. It helps to not only have a clear goal in mind, but also to perform routine check-ups to make sure you’re on the right track.

With discipline and proper planning, everyone has the tools they need to move in the direction of financial health and set themselves on the path to their ideal retirement. But it takes intention. We don’t become experts overnight and should be patient with ourselves as we learn new skills. With this mindset, taking small steps each day can help you become Game Ready for retirement.

The following resources were designed to help you take the first of those small steps. To get started, take a look at our newly launched videos to see what your post-working years could look like. Then, work your way through our four free tools below to jumpstart your journey to becoming Game Ready for retirement.

Step 1. Retirement planning worksheet

Before you make any decisions, you’ll need a firm grasp of your upcoming financial needs. This worksheet can help you think through the big questions you’ll need to answer, such as “how much income will I need each month to fulfill my goals during retirement?” and “could a lifetime income product such as a fixed indexed annuity (FIA) be right for me?” Download the worksheet.

Step 2. Retirement planning checklist

There are a myriad of financial tools created to help you prepare for retirement, so how do you choose the right one? If you’re looking for something that can provide a guaranteed lifetime income that you can’t outlive, FIAs may be an option. To help you think through the decision to purchase one, check out this list of important questions to ask yourself or your financial professional. Download the checklist.

Step 3. Retirement calculators

How much income do you need each month to meet your life goals during retirement? How much will Social Security provide? How much will you owe in taxes? A retirement plan isn’t complete until you’ve answered these and similar questions. To find solutions fast, check out our free list of retirement calculators. Start calculating.

Step 4. FIA financial planning checklist

Just like a coach can help you meet your physical goals, a financial professional can help you achieve success financially. To get the conversation about FIAs started with your financial professional, print out the following list of questions intended to help guide your discussion. Plan your conversation.

Getting Game Ready for retirement takes hard work, but it’s within your grasp. Let today be the day you take your first step.

https://fiainsights.org/financial-health-checklist/