Draft Your Retirement Team

Whether you’re planning to retire next year or are still a few years out, one thing is still true: The transition is easiest if you surround yourself with a strong support system.

By John Martin & Rebecca L. Bennett

 

As exciting as it may be, retiring can be a daunting step into a new stage of your life. When you take that leap, do you want to blindly jump alone, or would you rather have a hand-picked team to support you along the way?

Here are some tips for building a strong retirement dream team before you hang up your jersey:

Think Ahead

While finances are certainly important, retiring changes a lot more than your income. Losing the social interactions and structure of employment can be a difficult adjustment for retirees to make, so it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about what you will do instead and how you will find fulfillment.

Many retirees find enjoyment in volunteering or working part-time, while others prefer investing their time in loved ones, traveling and pursuing their hobbies.

Lean On Loved Ones

Having a great support system can also make a big difference. Running your game plan by your loved ones can help you spot any potential weaknesses in your retirement strategy and give you ideas for ways you could spend your time. The grandchildren may need a babysitter (or referee) from time to time!

Another great teammate to have on your side is a financial planner. They can help you understand if you’re in a good position to retire or whether you should work a little longer to attain the lifestyle you want in retirement.

Never Forget (About Us)

TCDRS will always be waiting on the sidelines if you need to call a timeout and regroup on your retirement strategy. No matter what stage of the game you’re in, call TCDRS Member Services at 800-823-7782 and we’ll help steer you to victory if you have any questions about your TCDRS account.

You can also schedule an online counseling session to talk about your retirement benefits, get personalized estimates and review your payment options with one of our Member Services MVPs.

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