Retirement can feel like a big question mark, especially when it comes to figuring out how personal savings, benefits, and future needs all fit together. One way people explore their financial outlook is by talking with a financial planner. Though “financial planner” isn’t an official designation, it’s often used to describe someone who assists with supporting financial decisions related to financial planning including retirement planning.
Here are some of the topics you may talk about when meeting with a financial planner about retirement planning.
What Retirement Topics May Come Up?
Retirement planning isn’t one-size-fits-all, and should consider more than just calculating how much money to save for retirement. For those exploring the topic, here are a few areas that may arise when speaking with a financial planner:
- Timing: When to stop working is a big decision. Factors like lifestyle, health, and income needs can all play a part in deciding when to retire.
- Social Security: The Social Security Administration offers full benefits between ages 66 and 67 for most people, though early filing starts at 62¹. Deciding when to begin collecting your Social Security benefit will affect the monthly amount you receive2.
- Healthcare: Medicare becomes available at age 653, but it may not cover everything, such as long-term care4.
- Taxes: Retirement income can come from several sources—some taxable, some not. Understanding how withdrawals from accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s, are treated by the IRS may help with planning.
- Longevity and Inflation: Estimating how long money needs to last can be difficult, especially with fluctuating inflation5 rates.
Depending on the individual, a financial planner may help organize these pieces, offer input about all areas of retirement planning, or review different options with you.
Who Might Consider Retirement Planning Support?
Retirement can look very different from one person to the next. Some people begin thinking about it early, while others may wait until later in their career. Here’s a general idea of how people at different stages may approach the topic:
| Life Stage | Possible Retirement Questions |
| 30s–40s | How much should I be setting aside for retirement? |
| 50s | At what age can I reasonably consider retiring? |
| Early 60s | Should I file for Social Security now or wait? |
| Already Retired | How can I manage income from multiple sources? |
This isn’t a checklist—just an example of how questions and concerns about retirement planning can shift over time. Someone in their thirties may focus more on savings, while someone in their sixties might ask about the timing of withdrawals on some retirement accounts. A financial planner may help frame these topics and introduce ideas that you hadn’t considered.
Retirement Isn’t Just About Money
Although the financial side of retirement often gets the most attention, the transition can also include lifestyle and identity changes. Some people continue working part-time or volunteering, while others explore travel or caregiving roles. No matter the path, having a sense of where money comes from and how long it might last can bring clarity to decision-making about retirement planning.
If you’re thinking about retirement—whether it’s far off or fast approaching—you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need a starting point. Thinking about your next steps? Contact Vantage Point today to learn how we can help you live retirement boldly and on your terms.
Citations
- SSA.gov, https://www.ssa.gov/retirement, April 2024
- SSA.gov, https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html, June 9, 2025
- MedicareResources.org, https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/when-does-medicare-coverage-start, June 9, 2025
- MedicareResources.org, https://www.medicare.gov/providers-services/original-medicare/not-covered, June 9, 2025
- InflationData.com, https://www.inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Rate/CurrentInflation.asp?reloaded=true, May 13, 2025
Investment advisory services are offered through Vantage Point Financial, a registered investment adviser. Registration with any regulatory body does not imply any particular level of skill. This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Working with a financial planner does not ensure financial success or prevent loss. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The scenarios presented are hypothetical and are intended for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future outcomes. Individual results will vary. Certain financial strategies may offer tax advantages, but outcomes depend on individual circumstances and are subject to change due to tax laws and other external factors. Vantage Point Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult a tax professional. Retirement outcomes depend on a variety of factors, including individual savings behavior, market performance, health events, and other considerations. Certain statements herein may reflect the firm’s current views, expectations, or beliefs, which are subject to change without notice. For additional information about our services, fees, and disclosures, please refer to our Form ADV Part 2A, available at https://vantage-point.mwdevsite.com or upon request at no cost.
