Retirement is one of the biggest financial and personal transitions most people will ever make. Yet unlike buying a car or moving to a new home, you usually do not get much of a chance to try it before making the decision. You can estimate your expenses. You can review Social Security choices, investment balances, pensions, taxes, and healthcare costs. You can even build a detailed retirement-income plan. All of that is important. But a plan on paper cannot fully tell you what it will feel...

Most people spend years preparing financially for retirement. They think about investments, Social Security, taxes, healthcare, and how much they can comfortably spend. Far fewer think about a more practical question: If you were suddenly unable to manage your financial life, would your spouse or family know what to do? Even in households where both spouses participate in financial decisions, one person often takes the lead. That person may pay the bills, communicate with the financial...

For many people, summer is a season to slow down, enjoy vacations, and spend more time with family. While retirement planning may not be at the top of your summer to-do list, this quieter time of year can actually be one of the best opportunities to review your financial plan. Waiting until the end of the year often means competing with holiday schedules, year-end deadlines, and limited appointment availability. By reviewing your plan during the summer, you give yourself—and your advisor—time...