If the time comes for you to retire and your partner is still working—or vice versa—it’s a matter of anticipating the natural changes ahead and then balancing and planning so both your needs can be met.
The age you retire may depend on the work you do, your employment arrangements, your health or a family member’s, or a combination of factors.
Naturally, the timing of your retirement may differ from your partner’s. And while it’s a time to look forward to, changes in routines established over many years can cause conflict.
What’s more, you may find your plans and aspirations—not to mention your spending intentions—come as a big surprise to your significant other.
Say one of you is imagining an active retirement, and plans to repaint the house or pull up the garden from day one. But the other is looking forward to selling and moving to a warmer climate to relax on the balcony.
It’s likely you both have specific plans and ideas.
It’s important that you discuss the specifics of what you’re imagining after your life winds down after work. That way, even though you may want different things, you’ll be able to work towards common ground.
The financial side of retirement is a key area to discuss early on. Once you’ve wound down from work, your lifestyle choices may depend on your super balance and pension entitlements.
Longer lifespans mean most people are expected to spend longer in retirement. And while that may present opportunities to enjoy hobbies or spend time with family, the longer you’re retired the more income you’ll need.
Use our retirement simulator to find out how much you’ll need. With an amount to aim for, the timing of your retirement may be easier to predict. One or both of you may choose to work in your job for longer or take up a new line of work.
And if your super balance is on the low side a transition to retirement strategy can help you boost your super or enable you to work less and maintain your income.
If you’re considering selling the house to help fund retirement earlier, use our home and retirement planner.
It’s never too early to start talking about retirement and putting plans in place. Speak with a financial adviser so you can consider:
Your eligibility for government entitlements
Boosting your super within contributions limits
A transition to retirement strategy to boost your super or reduce your working hours
How the family home fits in and whether you’ll:
– keep it or consider downsizing
– put it on the market after retirement
– draw on the equity in your home.
Any potential income streams to fund your lifestyle
Turning redundancy into retirement if you have the opportunity.
Source: AMP
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