Retirement Readiness Checklist: How Prepared Are You? -

Q: How often should I redo this retirement readiness checklist?

Once a year is reasonable, or after any major life change such as a new diagnosis, a move, a change in income, or a family change.

Q: What if I can't check any of these boxes yet?

That's exactly what this tool is for, each unchecked item links directly to a guide or calculator to help you work through it, one at a time.

Retirement readiness isn’t one big decision — it’s a handful of smaller ones that are easy to keep putting off. I built this checklist to pull them all into one place so I could see where I actually stood.

Check off what you’ve already handled. For anything left unchecked, I’ve linked the specific tool or guide that covers it.

Retirement Readiness Checklist

I know my Social Security full retirement age and claiming strategy I know my Medicare Initial Enrollment Period timing I’ve estimated my retirement budget (income vs. expenses) I have a plan for potential long-term care costs I have a will and/or estate plan in place I have an emergency fund of at least 3-6 months of expenses I’ve reviewed my beneficiary designations recently I understand how my income affects my Medicare premiums (IRMAA)

Why a Retirement Readiness Checklist Helps

None of these eight items are complicated on their own. What makes retirement planning hard is that they’re scattered across different decisions, deadlines, and paperwork. A simple retirement readiness checklist puts them in one place so nothing quietly falls through the cracks.

What This Checklist Doesn’t Cover

This is a starting point, not a complete financial plan. It doesn’t account for your specific tax situation, investment allocation, or family circumstances. For anything with real financial or legal weight — especially estate planning and long-term care decisions — it’s worth a conversation with a licensed professional in addition to using these tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good retirement readiness score?

There’s no universal passing score, but checking 7 or 8 of these 8 items generally means you’ve covered the most common retirement planning gaps. Fewer checked items just means there’s a clear next step, not that you’re behind.

How often should I redo this retirement readiness checklist?

Once a year is reasonable, or after any major life change — a new diagnosis, a move, a change in income, or a family change like a marriage or death.

Do I need a financial advisor if I complete this checklist?

Not necessarily, but this checklist doesn’t replace personalized financial or legal advice. It’s a good way to walk into that conversation more prepared, though.

What if I can’t check any of these boxes yet?

That’s exactly what this tool is for — each unchecked item links directly to a guide or calculator to help you work through it, one at a time.

Is this checklist specific to any state?

No, it covers general retirement planning areas that apply nationally. Some specifics, like estate planning laws, vary by state, so double-check state-specific rules with a professional.

This checklist is for general education, not personalized financial or legal advice. See our affiliate disclosure.