Five Questions to Ask Before You Retire
  
Retirement planning is often treated as a savings-number problem — hit the target, then retire. In practice, the questions that matter most come after the number: 
What will my monthly income actually look like?
Between Social Security timing, any pension, and portfolio withdrawals, the pieces need to work together — not just add up on paper.

How do I cover healthcare before Medicare?
If you're retiring before 65, this is often the single biggest planning gap. 

What's my withdrawal strategy — and does it flex?
A market downturn in your first few retirement years can affect a portfolio differently than the same downturn ten years in. 

Have I planned for taxes in retirement, not just savings?
Where your income comes from each year can matter as much as how much there is. 

Does my estate plan reflect where I am today?
Beneficiary designations and documents drafted years ago don't always age with your life. 

None of this replaces a conversation with someone who knows your full picture — it's a starting list, not a substitute for planning