Retirement planning involves more than just financial considerations; it’s equally important to prepare emotionally for this major life change. Many individuals find their identity and purpose in their careers, which can make retiring a profound shift. It’s common to feel uncertain or even a sense of loss when leaving behind a role that has defined daily routines and relationships for years.

Adjusting to retirement can take time. Some may experience feelings of loneliness or lack of fulfillment without the structure and social interactions provided by work. It’s crucial to think ahead about how you’ll maintain a sense of purpose and stay socially connected post-retirement. Health and well-being are also impacted by retirement. While some people embrace the opportunity to focus on fitness and personal interest, others may struggle with the loss of routine activity that kept them physically and mentally engaged.

Financial concerns add another layer of stress. Planning financially can help alleviate some worries and allow for more enjoyment of retirement activities.

Key age considerations

It's important to recognize that deciding when to retire involves considering multiple factors, not just one. Below are key ages with associated important considerations, along with some additional topics to think about.

If you're uncertain about how to pull these considerations into focus, creating a financial plan can help you integrate these elements and determine the best time for retirement.

• Age 59½: Eligible to withdraw tax-deferred savings without penalty.
• Age 62: Eligible for early Social Security benefits—benefit will be reduced.
• Age 65: Eligible for Medicare and average retirement age.
• Ages 66-67: Full retirement age for Social Security (depending on your birth year).
• Age 70: Latest delay credit for Social Security, ensuring maximum benefit.
• Age 77: Average life expectancy in the U.S. based on information from the CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
• Age 90: According to data from the Social Security Administration’s cohort life tables, if you live to 70, roughly one-fifth of men and one-third of women will live to see age 90.

Additional retirement considerations

Along with factoring in the best age at which to retire, there are several other key financial pieces to take into consideration.

Income Planning

When preparing for retirement, consider your sources of recurring income such as pensions and Social Security benefits. It’s essential to understand the timing of these income streams, including when your pension payments will commence and how your Social Security benefits vary depending on when you choose to start receiving them.

Expenses

Expenses during retirement can increase for several reasons, primarily due to lifestyle changes and healthcare needs. Assess how your expenses will change due to having more leisure time for hobbies and travel.

Healthcare coverage

You won't be eligible for Medicare until you turn 65. If you're thinking about retiring before then, you'll need to explore alternative options. Additionally, it may be wise to investigate long-term care for your later years.

Housing considerations

Think about whether you want to stay in your current home and if you'll be able to manage the maintenance. Or is downsizing or possibly becoming a snowbird in your future? Planning to buy into a retirement community may mean getting on a waiting list now and a lump sum payment.

Health status and longevity

Your health status can influence your retirement timing. If you have health concerns, you might consider retiring early to enjoy more time for yourself. Additionally, consider your family's longevity to estimate how long you might live and how long your savings will need to last.

Tax implications

Identify your current tax bracket while you are working and estimate the tax bracket you will fall into during retirement. Research how this shift could affect your future taxes.

Retirement accounts

Age is important when considering withdrawals from your retirement accounts. For some accounts, there is a penalty for withdrawing funds before the age of 59½. Additionally, retiring earlier means you have less earned income and, consequently, less accumulated savings and potentially a longer time frame to have your funds last.

Emotional Preparation

Retirement is a significant milestone for many people, as work often provides a sense of purpose. Suddenly leaving the workforce can be challenging. To ease the transition, consider part-time work or gradually moving into retirement.

Ultimately, deciding when to retire involves weighing multiple factors, including income planning, healthcare coverage, housing considerations, tax implications and emotional readiness. Each person's journey into retirement is unique, and thoughtful consideration of these elements—along with seeking professional advice, if needed—can help ensure a fulfilling and well-prepared transition into this next phase of life.

The experienced professionals at Busey Wealth Management can help you prepare a rock-solid retirement roadmap that fits your unique needs and goals. To learn more about our holistic services, please visit busey.com/wealth-management.

This is not intended to provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication concerning U.S. tax matters is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties imposed on the relevant taxpayer. Clients should obtain their own independent tax advice based on their particular circumstances.

This material is provided for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities.

This presentation is for general information purposes only. It does not take into account the particular investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of any specific client.