Retirement has a way of sneaking up on people. One moment, you’re in the middle of your career, and the next, you’re staring at a calendar and realizing you’re only two years away from stepping away from full-time work. Exciting? Absolutely. Overwhelming? For many people, yes. The truth is, the 24-month window before retirement can be one of the most critical times to prepare. And if you’ve ever Googled “retirement planning near me,” you already know that the number of decisions you have to make can feel like a tidal wave.
Retirement isn’t just about having enough money in the bank. Sure, finances are a big part of it, but so are lifestyle choices, healthcare decisions, and even figuring out how you’ll spend your time. If you don’t get ahead of it now, two years can fly by faster than you’d think. So, what should you be doing in these next 24 months? Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
1. Get Serious About Your Numbers
You probably have a ballpark idea of what you’ve saved, what your expenses are, and what you think you’ll need. But now is the time to get very clear on those numbers. Two years might seem like plenty of time, but if you uncover a gap in your retirement savings, you’ll want every extra month you can to address it.
Ensure that you add up all your sources of income—pensions, social security, savings, investments, and anything else you expect to rely on. Then, compare that to your projected expenses. Be honest with yourself here. It’s easy to underestimate, but ask yourself: are you factoring in healthcare costs? What about travel plans, hobbies, or even unexpected home repairs?
Having a financial planner on your side can really help. If you’re in Southern California, for example, finding someone who specializes in retirement planning in woodland hills can give you local insight and personalized strategies. A professional will point out gaps you might not see on your own.
2. Revisit Your Lifestyle Goals
Money is important, but retirement isn’t just a financial exercise. It’s about how you want to live. And honestly, this is the part people tend to overlook. Have you pictured what your days will look like when you’re not working? It’s surprisingly easy to put all the focus on the “how much” and forget about the “how.”
Do you want to downsize your home? Move closer to family? Spend months traveling? Maybe you just want more time in your garden or volunteering in your community. Whatever it is, sketch out the details. Why? Because your lifestyle goals directly tie back to your financial needs. If you plan to travel often, for example, that’s going to require more cash flow than if you’re planning quiet, low-cost days at home.
Two years is a perfect amount of time to test out some of these ideas. Take extended vacations if travel is in your future. Try working part-time if you’re unsure whether you’re ready to fully stop. These trial runs can give you clarity and help you make adjustments before the big day comes. Plus, it makes the countdown to retirement feel more exciting than scary.
3. Review and Update Your Estate Planning
This might not be the most glamorous part of retirement prep, but it’s absolutely one of the most important. Estate planning shouldn’t happen after you’ve passed away. It’s designed to help you protect your assets, reduce your loved ones’ stress, and ensure your wishes are respected.
Ask yourself: do you have a will or a trust in place? If you do, when was the last time you updated it? If you don’t, then now is the time to get that done. An estate planner can walk you through your options and make sure you’re covering everything from healthcare directives to powers of attorney. And honestly, this isn’t something to push off. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and the last thing you want is to leave your family scrambling because key documents weren’t in place.
Final Thoughts
The 24 months before retirement are like the final lap of a marathon. You’ve done the training, you’ve put in the miles, and now it’s about staying focused and finishing strong. Sure, there are a lot of moving parts—your finances, your lifestyle goals, your healthcare, your estate planning—but taking small, steady steps now will make a huge difference later.
You don’t have to do it all on your own, either. Whether you’re looking for retirement planning in Woodland Hills, financial planning in la, or even just searching for a trusted estate planner, having the right guidance can make the process less overwhelming.