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The short reads below cover key questions for this stage of life. They are yours to keep.

Five things that shape most retirements

These points are in the order they often come up, with no jargon.

Start with the income you already have

Social Security and any pension form your income floor. Log in at ssa.gov and read your statement. It shows what you would get at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70. The first and last amounts can differ, and that difference lasts for life.

Know what your spending actually is

Many people guess. Write down three months of real spending. Split it into bills you must pay and spending that is optional. The gap between your must-pay costs and guaranteed income is a key number for the rest of your plan.

Watch the first five years

A bad market year just after you retire can hurt more than one ten years later. You may need to sell while prices are down. Keeping a few years of must-pay spending outside the market can help limit that risk.

Take withdrawals in a deliberate order

Money from a traditional 401(k) or IRA is taxed as income when you take it out. Money from a Roth is not. Savings and brokerage accounts are taxed in other ways. The order of withdrawals can change your total taxes in retirement.

Plan for healthcare before 65

If you retire before Medicare begins, coverage during the gap years may be your largest expense. After 65, plan for premiums and items Medicare does not cover, including most long-term care.

Three things you can do this week

  • Download your Social Security statement

    Go to ssa.gov. Write down the three claiming amounts: 62, full retirement age, and 70.

  • List every retirement account you have

    Write down where each account is held and whether it is traditional or Roth.

  • Write down your must-pay monthly spending

    Rent or mortgage, utilities, food, insurance, medicine.

These three pages give you a useful base for a retirement plan. You can prepare them yourself, and it costs nothing.

This guide is educational and general. It is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy or sell any product. Rules for retirement accounts, Social Security, and Medicare change. Check current figures with the agency or a licensed professional before acting.