Not Done Yet? Try Semi-Retirement Who says slowing down means stopping? While your 60s used to signal retirement was on the way, more and more people are using this time as a launchpad for a new kind of freedom: semi-retirement. Whether dialing back your 9-to-5, chasing long-held dreams, or turning a passion project into a new hustle, semi-retirement allows you to remain connected and do what you love while providing financial security. Scaling back and continuing to work can give you a additional contribution options, like catch- up contributions. Purpose Beyond the Paycheck Make Room for Life Without Ditching Work Completely
You may still enjoy your job or love the social setting of your office. Scaling back your hours rather than retiring completely has numerous emotional and mental health benefits. It can be difficult to abruptly make a huge change in your routines or suddenly lose the job-related identity you’ve possibly built over many years. Many people who opt for semi-retirement like the sense of purpose that continuing to work part time gives them. It allows you to continue fulfilling work and gives you a social outlet. Factors to Consider Semi-retirement isn’t for everyone, and there are various factors to consider when deciding whether to stay in the workforce. If you are thinking of going part time out of necessity, look over your finances to
sense of flexibility and safety. Stretch Your Retirement Dollars
determine how much you need to earn to cover your savings gap. It could also be a solid strategy to build more savings so you have a buffer for the unexpected or big plans like travel in the future. If you simply enjoy your work or want to pursue another passion, like freelance writing or running a small home business, semi-retirement could give you a flexible schedule to work with as you plan this exciting new time.
One of the main perks of holding off from fully retiring is the money. Though you will earn less income working part time, what you make allows you to build a larger nest egg, and even delay when you collect your Social Security benefits. You can continue contributing to your retirement accounts and 401(k). Workers 50 or older also get
n g e n c i e s H o l i d a y C o n
Ready to mix in some estate planning with your upcoming eggnog? With another holiday season fast approaching, the final quarter of 2025 promises to be both hectic and joyous. For many of us, the gift of spending time with loved ones during this time of year is preceded by weeks (or even months) of intense budgeting, travel arrangements, shopping, and other logistical mazes to maneuver. When the time finally comes for our families to gather, we can at last relax and mark the close of another year with those dearest to us. Although it may seem counterintuitive amid the festive spirits of the holidays, the next few months are the best to discuss and review your estate plan with family or ensure other members are secure and up to date with theirs. Here are a few legacy-related
pointers to consider adding to your holiday to-do list to ensure everyone involved in an estate can end 2025 confident that their plans are set. Review (and refresh) everyone’s responsibilities. Assuming your adult loved one(s) already have an estate plan, use your time with them over the holidays to confirm all beneficiaries and anyone assigned a specific role fully understand their obligations and benefits. Additionally, confirm whether this information is documented appropriately and stored in a way that ensures easy access. Chronicle critical changes in writing. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and relocations are some events that can drastically affect a person’s estate plan. If a significant change has recently
impacted a loved one, now is the time to help them ensure their documents reflect the most current status of their assets and represent their wishes under these new circumstances. Add light to life discussions. Estate planning is essential, but it’s not exactly on everyone’s list of cheery conversations. Discussing what happens when we or someone we love passes away can be deeply uncomfortable, especially when everyone’s more in the mood for carving turkey or watching TV. However, the holidays are still an ideal time to initiate an in-person talk about the future when everyone is relaxed and in good spirits. This doesn’t need to be a drawn-out discussion; sometimes, a simple check-in is all that’s necessary to ensure things are in order and the plan is poised for success.
2 floridaestateplanning.com
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