Retirement is often painted as a time of relaxation, travel, and finally tackling that never-ending reading list. But let’s be real—there’s a lot more to think about than just booking cruises and perfecting your golf swing. From making sure your savings last to figuring out when to take government benefits (and how to actually enjoy retirement without worrying about money), there’s plenty that might be keeping you up at night.

The good news? With the right planning, you can trade those 3 AM worries for peace of mind.

Let’s break it all down.

1. Do I Have Enough Saved, or Will I Be Living on Instant Noodles?

• Have I saved enough, or do I need to work until I’m 92?
• What’s the magic number for retirement savings?
• How do I make sure I don’t run out of money before I run out of life?

2. When Can I Retire Without Regret?

• Should I retire now, or stick it out for a few more years?
• Can I afford to work part-time instead of full-time?
• What if I retire and then realize… I’m bored?

3. Will I Be Broke by 80?

• How do I protect my savings from inflation, market crashes, and my own shopping habits?
• What’s a safe amount to withdraw each year so I don’t end up broke in my 80s?
• Should I be shifting my investments to something safer (or is that just boring)?

4. The Healthcare Bill Nobody Talks About

• How much should I expect to spend on healthcare (and should I start selling things now)?
• Do I need long-term care insurance, or is my plan just to be really, really nice to my kids?
• What’s actually covered by government healthcare, and what will cost me?

5. The Bank of Mom & Dad

• How do I balance my own retirement savings with helping out my kids?
• What if my 30-year-old “boomerang kid” still lives at home?
• What if my aging parents need financial help? Who’s helping me?

6. Am I Investing Right for Retirement?

• Should I be more conservative with my money, or is that just another way of saying "let’s settle for less"?
• Am I taking enough risk, or is my portfolio just sitting there, doing nothing?
• How do I make sure my money keeps working for me, even when I’m not?

7. When Should I Take CPP/OAS (or Maximize My Free Government Money)?

• Should I take CPP early, or wait and get more later?
• How do I minimize taxes on my retirement income?
• Am I getting the most out of my pension?

8. What If Something Happens to My Spouse (or We Call It Quits)?

• Am I financially secure on my own?
• How do I make sure I’m not left sorting out a financial mess if my spouse dies?
• What estate planning do I need to do before something happens?

9. The “Fun” Part: Estate Planning

• Do I have a will, or will my family be stuck in a never-ending legal nightmare?
• Are my beneficiaries set up properly, or will my money go to my ex from 20 years ago?
• How can I make sure CRA doesn’t take more than their fair share when I’m gone?



10. What Will I Do in Retirement?

• What if I retire and suddenly miss having a reason to put on pants?
• Do I have hobbies and interests that will keep me happy (or is Netflix my only retirement plan)?
• How do I shift from saving my money to actually spending it without guilt?

Retirement planning isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making sure you can enjoy life, avoid financial disasters, and sleep at night knowing you won’t be working the checkout at Costco at 85 (unless you want to).

Would you like help figuring it all out? That’s what we’re here for!

Sources: www.mcleans.ca