--- title: 7 Steps to Help You Plan for Retirement description: Wealth preservation is essential for many individuals but warrants a specific focus for those nearing retirement. Understanding the complexities of wealth preservation is crucial, particularly for pre-retirees. image: https://thekeyfinancial.com/hubfs/morgan-housel-PcDGGex9-jA-unsplash.jpg --- [![The Key Financial (5)-1](https://thekeyfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-1.png?width=100&height=100&name=The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-1.png "The Key Financial (5)-1")](https://thekeyfinancial.com/) [![](https://thekeyfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-May-31-2024-12-36-01-8501-AM.png?width=150&height=150&name=The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-May-31-2024-12-36-01-8501-AM.png)](https://thekeyfinancial.com) [![](https://thekeyfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-May-31-2024-12-36-01-8501-AM.png?width=150&height=150&name=The%20Key%20Financial%20(5)-May-31-2024-12-36-01-8501-AM.png)](https://thekeyfinancial.com) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [ABOUT](https://thekeyfinancial.com) - SOLUTIONS - [Family Protection](https://thekeyfinancial.com/life-insurance) - [Retirement](https://thekeyfinancial.com/retirement-income) - TOOLS - [Premium Finance Estimator](https://www.myilia.com/agent-link/b43e1b43-4d4e-410e-b7f2-e72d901310f7) - [BLOGS](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy) # 7 Steps to Help You Plan for Retirement by [Aria Keyoumarsi](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/author/aria-keyoumarsi)   |   Jun 12, 2024 Wealth preservation is essential for many individuals but warrants a specific focus for those nearing retirement. Understanding the complexities of wealth preservation is crucial, particularly for pre-retirees. Today's pre-retirees may need a more detailed retirement plan, whether due to inheritance, accomplishment in the corporate world, or entrepreneurial fulfillment.  Regardless of how one acquires wealth, it's essential to understand that planning for retirement is unique to each individual. Here, we've compiled a checklist to help you prepare as you plan for retirement. ![Retirement Ahead sign](https://thekeyfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Retirement%20Ahead%20sign.jpg?width=273&height=177&name=Retirement%20Ahead%20sign.jpg) 1. Financial Education. Knowledge is power, so individuals must fundamentally understand financial concepts and practices. By understanding how to manage their money, they can confidently make informed decisions regarding their wealth. 2. Diversified investment portfolio. It is critical to reduce risk by diversifying uncorrelated investments in one's portfolio. A diversified investment portfolio strategy helps preserve wealth by spreading investments across various assets, reducing exposure to a single asset's poor performance. 3. Estate planning. Those nearing retirement must establish an estate plan to help preserve their financial independence and that of their loved ones. Estate planning may include drafting a will, setting up trusts, and naming beneficiaries for accounts and properties. In addition to the above estate planning documents, a power of attorney document, health care directive, financial power of attorney, and other essential documents may be relevant depending on individual circumstances. 4. Succession planning. Implementing a succession plan ensures a smooth business transition upon retirement, disability, or death for business owners. Additionally, implementing tax-efficient strategies can help manage any potential estate tax burden from the succession plan, helping to preserve wealth for future generations. 5. Philanthropy. Many are committed to giving back, and philanthropy is a preservation strategy to incorporate into one's estate plans. Structured giving through a donor-advised fund or a private foundation can provide substantial tax benefits and may help ensure their legacy. 6. Insurance planning. Insurance planning is vital because it addresses mitigating risk from financial loss while protecting assets, personal health, and wellness. Annuities and long-term care insurance may be effective strategies for generating lifetime income, helping manage potential healthcare costs in retirement, and protecting assets. 7. Working with professionals. Individuals must work with financial, legal, and tax professionals who understand their situation and financial goals. These professionals should be well-versed in the strategies discussed above and capable of providing tailored recommendations that reflect their client's circumstances and objectives. In conclusion, with financial education and a holistic wealth preservation strategy that covers investments, estate, and planning for their retirement, pre-retirees can comprehensively navigate their financial independence. In addition, they must surround themselves with knowledgeable professionals who can guide them in making suitable financial decisions for their situation, helping to preserve their wealth. SWG3343442-0124e. The sources used to prepare this material are believed to be true, accurate and reliable, but are not guaranteed. This information is provided as general information and is not intended to be specific financial or tax guidance. When you access a link you are leaving our website and assume total responsibility for your use of the website you are linking to. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at this website. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, websites, information and programs made available through this website.   Sources for compliance:  [https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2022/steps-to-take-before-you-retire.html ](https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2022/steps-to-take-before-you-retire.html ) - - - - #### About the author Aria Keyoumarsi [Follow me on my website](https://thekeyfinancial.com/) [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Ariakeyoumarsi.EFA) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariafinancialadvocate/) [Follow me on Twitter](https://x.com/FinancialAria) Topics:   [Retirement](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/tag/retirement) ,   [Financial Literacy](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/tag/financial-literacy) ,   [Financial Planning](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/tag/financial-planning) ### Related posts [Life Insurance: Essential to Financial Planning](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/life-insurance-essential-to-financial-planning) [Is Life Insurance Worth it?](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/is-life-insurance-worth-it) [7 Steps to Help You Plan for Retirement](https://thekeyfinancial.com/financial-literacy/7-steps-to-help-you-plan-for-retirement) **The Key Financial** Independent insurance solutions for families, pre-retirees, and business owners. We work for you — not an insurance company. [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Ariakeyoumarsi.EFA) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariafinancialadvocate/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/FinancialAria) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/aria.keyoumarsi.cff//) - [Life Insurance](https://thekeyfinancial.com/life-insurance) - [Retirement Income](https://thekeyfinancial.com/retirement-income) - [Long-Term Care](https://thekeyfinancial.com/long-term-care) - [Disability Insurance](https://thekeyfinancial.com/disability-insurance) (214) 494-1472 (888) 990-3204 [Info@thekeyfinancial.com](mailto:Info@thekeyfinancial.com) Serving Clients Nationwide [© 2025 The Key Financial · Aria Keyoumarsi · All rights reserved. Protection · Retirement Income · Long-Term Care · Disability Insurance The Key Financial is an independent insurance services firm. 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