Most people understand the basic benefits of planning ahead for retirement, but they may not understand the specific cycles and important impacts of planning for retirement. The financial life cycle follows your general aging cycle and every decade it will play its part in your financial lifecycle. During your 20s, you’ll be primarily focused on building a foundation for any financial independence. As you get into your 30s, you’ll be looking at accomplishing goals such as building your wealth, debt reduction and career consolidation. 

It is commonly in the 30s that people may begin contemplating the benefits of asset protection planning. In the 40s, you’ll still be focused on wealth accumulation and paying down any necessary debts. During your 50s, however, you will likely need to remain fully employed to age 60, if you do not have an employer’s sponsored pension or were somewhat older when you had a child. Your 60s is the work optional, semi-retirement period of your life, followed by the golden years and traditional retirement of you 70s and beyond.

Consulting with an experienced estate planning lawyer is just one of the steps that you should take as you look forward to retirement. Having the necessary documentation in place to assist you if you were to suddenly become incapacitated as well as to protect the assets you have spent so much of your life working to build, is an important component for anyone. Your retirement plan is the focus of much of your working years, and likewise you should continue to revisit it and determine how it will be used during your golden years or passed on to loved ones. All of these are important steps you should consider taking.