Plan for happiness

It may sound simple, but thinking about what will bring you happiness in retirement is the key to getting more out of the next big chapter in your life. And that goes beyond just knowing you want to get out of the 9‑to‑5 grind or having a hobby to dabble in. Happiness in retirement is about doing more of what brings you true satisfaction — whether it be travel, pursuing a passion, spending time with family, volunteering, or even starting your own business. 

“Pre-retirees should consider what kind of lifestyle they would enjoy, both in the short term and the long term,” says Tyler Wilkinson, chief financial officer of Soltis Investment Advisors in St. George, Utah in an interview conducted by Athene. “That is really the crucial first step in planning for retirement.”

What kind of lifestyle will bring you joy in retirement? Take this quiz to help discover your personal path to happiness.

Dreaming up your vision for the future is the fun part, but a key to connecting emotional fulfillment and financial well‑being is balance. Once you have a clear picture of the kind of lifestyle that will bring you happiness in retirement, it’s essential to put a financial plan in place that can help support those goals.

Make your dreams a reality
Begin by taking inventory of what you have, shares Scott M. Sadar, CFP, executive vice president at Somerset Wealth Strategies in Portland, Ore in an interview conducted by Athene. “That includes assets you’ve earned or picked up along the way, and future income streams, like pensions.” Next, track your spending closely to help you identify places where you’re currently overspending. You can then figure out how much of that money you could put toward retirement instead.

Next, think about how much money you’ll need to fulfill your retirement dreams — both big and small. That means considering larger expenses, like a condo on the beach or that bucket-list trip to Australia, as well as your day‑to‑day needs. 

“The whole process of drilling down and really understanding how much you are going to need in retirement can be daunting,” says Sadar. But he emphasizes that planning is crucial to having the retirement you want.

Once you have a solid grasp of your current finances and your needs in retirement, it’s time to meet with your financial professional to help close any financial gaps you might have. “There’s still time to make some subtle or dramatic changes to your financial plans that can help support your happiness goals and feelings of success in retirement,” states Sadar.

This information is brought to you by Athene — where unconventional thinking brings innovative annuity solutions to help make your retirement dreams a reality.