Retirement Readiness (Part 1) – Are You Within 5 Years of Retiring?

Presented by Retirement GPS: Navigated by Zynergy

The Big Picture: Retirement Is Closer Than You Think

When you’re within five years of retirement, the question shifts from “Can I retire?” to “How do I make this transition smooth?”

You’ve spent decades saving. Now it’s time to plan your glide path—intentionally and with structure. That’s what we help our Members do every day through our Retirement GPS Framework.

The 5-Year Retirement Glide Path is designed to walk you step-by-step toward the retirement you’ve worked so hard to build.

The GPS Framework: Your Year-by-Year Retirement Countdown

Year 5: Establish the Foundation

• Start your debt payoff strategy.
• Evaluate long-term care options.
• Review your tax diversification (pre-tax, Roth, brokerage).
• Make sure your emergency reserve is fully funded.
• Begin visualizing your retirement lifestyle.

Year 4: Review the Big Picture

• Update your estate documents and beneficiaries.
• Start modeling your Social Security strategy.
• Create a realistic retirement budget.
• Decide where you’ll live—and how that impacts your plan.

Year 3: Build the Infrastructure

• Plan for healthcare coverage if you’ll retire before Medicare.
• Map out a withdrawal plan (what to pull, when, and why).
• Adjust your asset allocation for retirement income.
• Integrate any legacy or charitable giving goals.
• Run a “test retirement” to see how your income plan feels.

Year 2: Fine-Tune the Details

• Confirm any carryover employee benefits or payouts.
• Finalize your long-term care strategy.
• Begin executing your housing decisions.
• Revisit and replenish your emergency reserve.

Year 1: Make It Official

• Set your distribution plan in motion.
• File for Social Security (if needed).
• Confirm post-retirement health insurance coverage.
• Contact 401(k) and pension providers.
• Notify HR and celebrate your transition!

Why It Works

This Glide Path removes guesswork from the years leading up to retirement. It provides structure, order, and intentionality—so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
It also creates space to process the emotional side of retirement. You’re not just leaving a job—you’re stepping into a new chapter. The more prepared you are, the smoother that shift becomes.

Action Steps:

1. Download the 5-Year Retirement Glide Path
2. Identify what year you’re currently in
3. Meet with your planner to build your timeline
4. Start putting your checklist into action, one item at a time

Want the full walkthrough?

Listen to Episode 6 of the Retirement GPS Podcast: Retirement Readiness (Part 1) – Are You Within 5 Years of Retiring?