Before You Retire: Questions to Put Your Retirement Plan Through the Ringer

In this episode of Empty Nest Full Pockets, Matt Meline and Will Schroeder take a step back and ask a bigger question: What does it really mean to be ready for retirement? Retirement planning isn't just about Social Security, Roth conversions, investment balances, or picking a date on the calendar. It's about preparing for the life you want while also making sure your plan can withstand the things you can't predict. Matt challenges the traditional question of “What do you want to retire to?” and offers a different perspective: What do you still want to accomplish before you retire? Your final years of work can be more than a countdown to the finish line—they can be an opportunity to accomplish a major professional goal, build a legacy, improve your health, or leave your career on your own terms. Matt and Will also discuss why it's critical to put your retirement plan through the ringer before you pull the trigger. What happens if the market drops during your first year of retirement? What if healthcare costs more than expected? What if your health changes? What if Social Security looks different than you anticipated? Rather than planning for one perfect outcome, the goal is to build enough flexibility and guardrails to handle a range of possibilities. As the 59½ Rebellion comes full circle, this episode encourages listeners to stop thinking of retirement as simply reaching the top of the mountain—and start thinking differently about the journey there. Empty Nest Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare for Your Family's Future As your children prepare for their next chapter, it's time to prepare for yours. In Empty Nest Full Pockets, Matt Meline offers practical guidance for navigating the emotional and financial realities of becoming an empty nester, including college planning, retirement preparation, housing decisions, family relationships, and creating a meaningful future after the kids leave home. Learn how to build financial confidence while embracing the opportunities that come with this new season of life. Get your copy here: PrairieFire Wealth book page Episode Topics Covered What You Want to Accomplish Before Retirement Rethinking the Question “What Do You Want to Retire To?” Using Your Final Years of Work to Accomplish a Major Goal Creating a Professional Legacy Before You Leave Why Retirement Doesn't Have to Be a Hard Stop Preparing Your Health for Retirement Why Retirement Spending May Not Decrease Putting Your Retirement Plan Through the Ringer Planning for Market Downturns in Early Retirement Creating Spending Guardrails Preparing for Unexpected Health Events Planning for Changes to Social Security Building Flexibility Into Your Retirement Plan Preparing for a Range of Possible Outcomes Why Retirement Readiness Is About More Than Money Test Driving Retirement Before You Commit Giving Yourself Permission to Try Things Differently The 59½ Rebellion and Rethinking Traditional Retirement Creating a More Peaceful and Intentional Transition Into Retirement — I sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you for being a part of our podcast journey. If you haven't already, please subscribe to stay updated with the latest episodes. Your subscription means the world to me! Want to dive deeper into the 59½ Rebellion? Check out our 59½ Rebellion playlist on YouTube for more conversations, insights, and practical guidance on making the most of the years leading up to retirement. I’d love to hear from you; here are some ways to connect: Web: https://www.prairiefirewealth.com/ Email: [email protected] Get a copy of my book: Empty Nest, Full Pockets: How to Emotionally and Financially Prepare for Your Family’s Future at https://amzn.to/3PovUWM