Getting Close to Retirement? Let's Make Sure You're Ready

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Final steps before retirement

The Final Stretch Before Retirement Matters Most

When retirement is a year or two away, decisions start to feel more real-and more permanent. Questions about your 401(k), income, and healthcare can all come up at once, and it's not always clear what to prioritize. Community Choice helps you organize these decisions into a simple, step-by-step plan so you can move forward with confidence instead of uncertainty. Whether you meet on the Bricks in downtown Kearney or connect by phone or video anywhere in Nebraska, you'll get clear next steps tailored to your timeline.

Key retirement decisions to make

The Three Decisions That Shape Your Retirement

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What to Do With Your 401(k)

Leaving your employer means deciding what happens to your retirement account. Options include leaving it, rolling it over, or repositioning it based on your income goals.

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How to Create Retirement Income

Your focus shifts from saving to generating income. Building a "retirement paycheck" helps you understand how much you can rely on each month.

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How to Handle Health Coverage

If you're retiring before 65, you'll need a plan to bridge the gap to Medicare. Timing and coverage choices matter more than most people expect.

Mistakes a clear plan helps prevent

What a Clear Plan Helps You Avoid

Missing Important Deadlines

Enrollment windows and timing decisions can impact both costs and coverage.

Making Rushed Financial Decisions

Big transitions can lead to quick choices that aren't fully thought through.

Relying Too Heavily on Market Performance

Without a structured income plan, retirement can feel uncertain month to month.

Overlooking Healthcare Costs

Planning ahead helps prevent unexpected expenses from disrupting your strategy.

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A simple retirement timeline

A Simple Way to Think About the Transition

12-24 Months Out
Start reviewing your options, including rollover strategies, income planning, and healthcare coverage.

6-12 Months Out
Refine your plan and begin making key decisions about income timing and coverage.

Final Months Before Retirement
Put your plan in place so you're not making decisions under pressure after you stop working.

Common questions near retirement

Common Questions From Near-Retirees

  • What should I do with my 401(k) when I retire?

    You have multiple options, and the right choice depends on your income goals, flexibility needs, and overall plan. Reviewing these options ahead of time helps avoid rushed decisions.

  • How do I create income before I stop working?

    Planning early allows you to structure income so it's ready when you need it, rather than reacting after retirement begins.

  • What if I retire before Medicare starts?

    You'll need a bridge plan for health coverage. Understanding your options early helps prevent gaps or unexpected costs.

Take the First Step Today

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Most people don't need more information-they need a clear way to organize what matters. Community Choice helps you take all the moving pieces-income, accounts, and coverage-and turn them into a plan you can follow with confidence.

Whether you're in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Hastings, or Scottsbluff, you can meet in person, by phone, or by video to get answers and next steps.