Creating a One-Year Action Plan for Retirement Confidence

Retirement is a major life transition, and approaching it with a clear plan can make all the difference. While long-term strategies are important, breaking your plan into actionable steps for the year ahead can provide focus, reduce stress, and build confidence in your retirement journey.

At Sound Retirement Solutions, we help individuals and couples create one-year action plans that align income, over 65 healthcare planning, and estate planning to support a secure and enjoyable retirement.

Start With Your Retirement Goals

The first step in any action plan is to clarify your goals. Are you hoping to travel more, downsize your home, or spend extra time with family? Understanding your priorities allows you to align your finances, healthcare planning, and lifestyle choices with what matters most.

By defining your goals for the year, you gain a roadmap for decision making and a framework for measuring progress.

Review Your Retirement Income

A critical component of your one-year plan is reviewing your income sources. This includes savings, pensions, Social Security benefits, and other streams of income. Assessing whether your income is structured to cover your current lifestyle and expected expenses is essential.

A retirement planner can help you create a plan that balances withdrawals, manages risk, and protects your long-term security. Annual income reviews ensure your plan adapts to changes in markets, spending, or life circumstances.

Evaluate Over 65 Healthcare Needs

Healthcare costs can be one of the largest expenses in retirement, and they often change year to year. As part of your one-year action plan, review over 65 healthcare options, prescriptions, and any upcoming medical needs.

Planning ahead for healthcare expenses helps prevent surprises and keeps your income plan on track. Coordinating healthcare decisions with your income strategy and estate planning ensures a more complete and resilient plan.

Update Estate and Legacy Plans

Retirement is also a time to review estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney. Life changes—such as marriage, birth of grandchildren, or changes in health—may require updates.

A one-year action plan includes a schedule for reviewing and updating estate planning documents so your wishes are clear and your loved ones are protected.

Set Timelines and Checkpoints

Breaking your plan into specific steps with deadlines can make the process manageable. Whether it’s scheduling income reviews, updating healthcare coverage, or meeting with a retirement planner, clear timelines create accountability and ensure progress.

Regular checkpoints throughout the year allow you to evaluate your plan, make adjustments, and stay on course toward your goals.

The Benefits of a One-Year Action Plan

A one-year action plan provides structure, reduces uncertainty, and gives you confidence that your retirement strategy is on track. By addressing income, healthcare, and estate planning in an organized way, you can move into retirement with clarity and peace of mind.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Creating a one-year action plan is a practical way to approach retirement with intention and control. It allows you to focus on what matters most while ensuring your financial and healthcare strategies are aligned with your lifestyle goals.

If you are preparing for retirement or already retired and want help developing a one-year action plan, we invite you to schedule a conversation with a retirement planner at Sound Retirement Solutions. Together, we can build a plan that supports your confidence, security, and enjoyment in the years ahead.