The Golden years are what the majority (if not all) of working people look forward to. When you no longer have to wake up and drag yourself to work. The time when you finally have time to breathe because there are no upcoming deadlines or meetings that you must prepare for.
Although retirement is what many people look forward to, not every single person has to wait until 65 (or the current retirement age) to actually retire. Some people are ready for retirement earlier and this is happening more frequently in this new generation. It may take some effort to realize it and there may be the need for a psychological shift, but early retirement is possible and can happen easily if you are ready for it.
5 Signs That You are Ready for Retirement
It can be difficult to know when you are ready to retire. Some people use milestones such as reaching a certain age or having a certain amount in their retirement account. However, with proper planning, it can be easy to step away from everyone else and find your own path when it comes to retirement.
Here are 5 signs you might be ready to retire”
You are financially prepared
Retirement requires one to have sources of income that they can rely on without having to be in formal employment. Before retiring, it is a good idea to know what type of costs you will be incurring and adequately plan for those. Retirement is not about achieving a specific number in your account but about ensuring you have a reliable source of income without having to work 40 hours a week.
You have eliminated debt
Not all debt is bad, but debt reduces the amount of money that you have to spend or invest. Before you go into retirement it is a good idea to ensure you have eliminated any outstanding loans, high-interest credit card debt, or any other debt. The idea is that you will be able to use your savings and retirement income only for current expenses.
You have a plan to cope with emergencies
Before you retire, you need to ensure you have strategies that can help you deal with emergency expenses should they occur. Your plan should be able to help you navigate your way through unforeseen circumstances when they occur
You have something else to do
Retirement doesn’t mean you stop working. It is just a time you take to focus on other things of more importance to you. Something like a hobby or an interest that you previously did not have time for.
You have health insurance
Before retiring, it is important to get you and your dependents insurance. Failure to do so would mean you pay for health expenses out of pocket which affects your available income.
Similar Article: 5 Signs You Need a Financial Planner
Summary
Retirement doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people prefer to work until retirement age while others prefer to retire when they have a certain amount of money in the bank. Whichever option you choose, ensure you have enough income to cover the costs of your chosen lifestyle in retirement.