Start your "retirement paycheck."

You worked hard and have been planning for many years. Now it is time to pay yourself. Optimizing withdrawals in retirement is a complex process that requires a firm understanding of tax situations, financial goals, and how accounts are structured. Don’t go it alone, contact a Fidelity Workplace Planning Consultant who can help you make the most of Social Security and Medicare, help you manage taxes on withdrawals, and help you avoid penalties on distributions. Call 1-877-902-0006.

If you plan to work in retirement, know the effect on your benefits.

Do you plan to work for income after you retire? If you've begun taking Social Security benefits, you need to be aware of how your Social Security income may be taxed—and the earned income thresholds that determine the level of your taxes and any reductions in benefits, including Medicare.

Working into retirement can help in your retirement planning, especially if your savings are running a bit behind your goals. If you're exploring "second act" employment, consider seeking employment opportunities that offer health insurance or retirement savings opportunities for your "retirement job." Whatever your reason for considering working in retirement, it’s a good idea to know how doing so will affect your Social Security benefits and your tax bill.

Get help finding the right Medicare plan.

First American has created the Retiree Toolkit to assist you while planning for your retirement. This Toolkit can also be found on myFA under “Thinking About Retiring” and FA Live.

Develop a real estate strategy.

Here’s what to consider as you seek the perfect fit for your lifestyle, budget, and personal goals.

Where you choose to live in retirement can change your overall financial plan. The question, “Where do I want to retire?”, is one of the most basic and important questions people need to ask themselves when planning to leave the workforce.

Make an estate plan.

Use your estate plan to help protect your privacy, save on taxes, and minimize probate costs.

Having a well-conceived plan is more than worth the time and money it will take to build it. It will give your loved ones the authority and guidance they need to navigate tough situations.

Setting up an estate plan, can help minimize probate costs, protect your privacy, and possibly save on taxes. An estate plan helps you control the disposition of your assets upon your passing, ensuring that assets flow to your heirs according to your wishes and provides guidance for your loved ones regarding your preferences for end-of-life medical intervention.

Please check all beneficiaries to ensure nothing has changed and all are still current.  This includes retirement plans/accounts, HSA, life insurance (both with employer and personal policies), and AD&D insurance.

Find a volunteer opportunity.

Follow your passion. Volunteer Match¹ helps you find volunteer opportunities in your area.

Volunteering helps the organization you’re serving, but also provides several benefits to the volunteer, including keeping physically and mentally active, reducing social isolation and creating a stronger sense of community. Click 'Learn More' and enter your location in the search bar to find volunteer opportunities near you.

Make charitable giving part of your plan.

The tax code offers incentives for charitable giving, and you don't have to be wealthy to take advantage of them.

There are tremendous breaks and incentives written into the tax code for charitable giving, and you don't have to be wealthy to take advantage of them.

Keep in mind, most charitable-giving strategies require a fair amount of planning, paperwork, and set-up and maintenance costs. The tax benefits being what they are, though, it's may be worth the effort.

If you're considering making charitable giving part of your wealth plan, consult with a specialist, including a financial professional, a tax attorney and an estate-planning attorney with experience in charitable contributions. They can walk you through any complex legal matters, and around any obstacles that could get in the way of your success.