7 Questions to Answer as Retirement Draws Near: Are You Really Ready?

So, you’re finally approaching that long-awaited chapter—retirement. No more commutes, no more office politics, and finally, time to enjoy life at your own pace. But before you dive into your dream retirement lifestyle of beach walks, hobbies, and lazy mornings, there’s something important to ask yourself

Are you actually ready for retirement?

Retirement planning isn’t just about having a fat savings account. It’s about retirement readiness—making sure you’ve got everything from healthcare to housing figured out. In this blog, we’ll walk through 7 essential questions you need to answer before you turn in your work badge for good.

Let’s make sure your golden years truly shine.

Do I Know What My Retirement Expenses Will Be?

This is the starting point of your retirement planning. You can’t build a plan if you don’t know what it’s supposed to cover.

Start by asking:

• What are my current monthly expenses?
• Which of these will increase, decrease, or go away in retirement?
• Are there new expenses to consider—like travel, hobbies, or healthcare?

Common retirement expenses include:

• Basic living (food, utilities, clothing)
• Healthcare costs in retirement
• Transportation (you might not commute, but cars need fuel and maintenance)
• Travel and leisure
• Unexpected costs (home repairs, family emergencies)

Pro Tip: A common rule of thumb is that retirees spend 70–80% of their pre-retirement income. But your lifestyle will determine the actual number. If you plan on traveling the world, that 80% could go up fast.

Do I Have Enough Retirement Savings?

This is the million-rupee question literally.

Your retirement savings should be able to cover your expenses for at least 20–30 years. So, how do you know if your current savings are enough?

Use this simple formula:

Minimum Retirement Corpus = Annual retirement expenses × 25

For example, if annual living costs come to ₹6 lakhs, then multiplying ₹6 lakhs by 25 gives a corpus of at least ₹1.5 crore.

This assumes a safe withdrawal of 4% per year from your investments.

Also consider:

• Inflation: Prices won’t stay the same. Factor in at least 6% inflation annually.
• Tax: Your retirement income might be taxable depending on its source.
• Emergency fund: Keep at least 6–12 months of expenses liquid.

Use retirement calculators to estimate your corpus. Reassess every year.

What Will Be My Retirement Income?

Retirement is when paychecks stop—but expenses don’t. That’s why identifying your sources of retirement income is crucial.

Common retirement income sources:

• Employees Provident Fund
• National Pension System 
• Public Provident Fund
• Pension schemes from employers
• Annuities and insurance payouts
• Rental income (if you own property)
• Dividends from retirement investments (mutual funds, stocks)
• Interest from fixed deposits or bonds

Ask yourself:

• Will my income sources provide consistent cash flow?
• Are any income streams affected by market conditions?
• Is there a need for me to create any part-time or freelance sources of additional income?

A mixture of guaranteed and market-linked retirement income sources can help balance risks while providing for important expenditures and discretionary expenses.

4. Where Will I Live in Retirement?

Retirement housing appears more significant in your plan than you might have imagined. Indeed, location, type of housing, and inclination for renting or ownership can deeply affect and vary the retirement lifestyle and finances.

Consider:

• Are you relocating to be nearer to your family?
• Do you want to downsize to reduce costs and maintenance?
• Are you considering a retirement community?
• Will you rent out your property for extra income?

Also factor in:

• Property taxes
• Home maintenance and repairs
• Community fees (if in a gated society or retirement home)

If you plan to move, visit the place a few times before committing. Your ideal vacation spot might not be great for daily living.

5. How Am I Going to Manage Health Care Costs in Retirement?

Health care remains potentially the number one underestimated retirement expense, but it is also the most expensive. As we age, medical costs usually increase. And in India, where out-of-pocket health expenses are high, this is a big deal.

Key questions to ask:

• Do I have sufficient health insurance coverage?
• Will my employer’s health policy cover me post-retirement?
• Should I buy a separate senior citizen health insurance plan?
• Do I have funds set aside for long-term care or critical illness?

Common healthcare costs in retirement include:

• Health insurance premiums
• Doctor visits and diagnostics
• Medicines and supplements
• Surgeries or hospitalizations
• Assisted living or home nursing (if needed)

Start a dedicated health fund alongside your insurance. That way, unexpected costs won’t derail your retirement plan.

6. Are My Retirement Investments Aligned with My Needs?

Retirement funds are just those already acquired; investments evolve.

Although you may stop putting money in aggressive equity, remember that your portfolio still needs to earn enough return to beat inflation and sustain your lifestyle.

Review your retirement investments:

• Is your asset allocation still appropriate? (Equity vs Debt)
• Do you have low-risk instruments like bonds, annuities, or FDs for stable income?
• Are your investments tax-efficient?
• Have you rebalanced your portfolio to reduce volatility?

Consider using a bucket strategy:

• Bucket 1: Cash for 1–2 years of expenses
• Bucket 2: Low-risk debt investments for 3–5 years
• Bucket 3: Long-term equity for growth

This way, you always have money when you need it and don’t sell investments during market dips.

7. What Will My Retirement Lifestyle Look Like?

Retirement is more than a financial exercise—it’s a lifestyle choice.

Ask yourself:

• What does an ideal day look like for me in retirement?
• Will I travel? Volunteer? Start a hobby-based business?
• How will I stay physically and mentally active?
• What kind of social connections will I maintain?

Understanding your desired retirement lifestyle will help you:

• Estimate more accurate retirement expenses
• Align your savings and income to support those dreams
• Ensure emotional well-being, not just financial health

Retirement can feel empty if you don’t plan how you’ll spend your time. Build a purpose-driven lifestyle to stay engaged and fulfilled.

Bonus Checklist: Things to Do Before You Retire

• Review and update your will
• List all assets, liabilities, and insurance policies
• Organize important documents (bank accounts, passwords, property papers)
• Talk to a financial advisor
• Communicate your plans with your spouse or family
• Set reminders for reviewing your retirement plan annually

Conclusion

Retirement is not an ending; it is, in fact, a new beginning. But like any great chapter, it needs a sturdy plan, an iron-clad plan.

By answering these 7 questions, you ensure you’ve projected the necessary finances and set in place a roadmap for a fulfilling, healthy, and worry-free retirement lifestyle.

Remember: Retirement planning is not all about numbers. It is clarity, it is assurance, and it is peace.

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Disclaimer – This article is for educational purposes only and does not intend to substitute expert guidance. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read the scheme-related document carefully before investing.

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