What if the most important phase of retirement is the one nobody talks about? This week, Jean sits down with Dana Anspach, CFP, to walk through the four phases of retirement outlined in her new book, Living Off Your Acorns: Your Guide to the Four Phases of Retirement, including the phase she argues matters most of all: the Pre-Go years.

Dana breaks down what to expect at every stage — from building your foundation before you retire, to navigating the emotional and financial shifts that come after — and shares the real stories of clients who had to course-correct, pivot, and reimagine what retirement could look like for them.

In this episode, Jean and Dana cover:


  What the Pre-Go phase is, why it matters, and when it typically begins

  Why so many high achievers struggle to envision retirement

  What a $1 million retirement savings goal actually buys you in 2026

  How to course-correct if you're behind on savings in your 50s and 60s


If today's conversation made you think about saving enough for your retirement, Jean's new book, The Forever Paycheck, is the perfect next step.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky Her Money

Ep 533: Living Off Your Acorns: How to Plan for All 4 Phases of Retirement

JUN 24, 202630 MIN
HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Ep 533: Living Off Your Acorns: How to Plan for All 4 Phases of Retirement

JUN 24, 202630 MIN

Description

What if the most important phase of retirement is the one nobody talks about? This week, Jean sits down with Dana Anspach, CFP, to walk through the four phases of retirement outlined in her new book, Living Off Your Acorns: Your Guide to the Four Phases of Retirement, including the phase she argues matters most of all: the Pre-Go years. Dana breaks down what to expect at every stage — from building your foundation before you retire, to navigating the emotional and financial shifts that come after — and shares the real stories of clients who had to course-correct, pivot, and reimagine what retirement could look like for them. In this episode, Jean and Dana cover: What the Pre-Go phase is, why it matters, and when it typically begins Why so many high achievers struggle to envision retirement What a $1 million retirement savings goal actually buys you in 2026 How to course-correct if you're behind on savings in your 50s and 60s If today's conversation made you think about saving enough for your retirement, Jean's new book, The Forever Paycheck, is the perfect next step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices