One of the most common questions I hear from people approaching retirement is simple — and surprisingly emotional:

“How do I know I’m really ready?”

Most people assume readiness is purely financial. They picture a perfect number, a perfect spreadsheet, or a perfect level of certainty they should feel before stepping into retirement.

But here’s the truth:

Retirement readiness is rarely a lightning-bolt moment.It’s a slow, steady accumulation of clarity — both financial and personal.

And in many cases, people are closer than they realize.

If you’ve been wondering whether retirement is around the corner for you, here are five encouraging signs that you may be more prepared than you think.

1. You’ve been picturing what your days will look like

For years, your schedule was likely structured by work — meetings, projects, commutes, deliverables. Retirement removes that structure, which is both freeing and disorienting.

One of the strongest indicators of readiness is something most people overlook:

You’ve started imagining the shape of your days.

That might look like:

• Morning walks and slow coffee
• Volunteering once a week
• A seasonal travel rhythm
• Time with grandkids
• Creative hobbies that finally get your attention

You don’t need a minute-by-minute plan — you just need a sense of where your energy wants to go.

A retirement that begins with intention tends to unfold with confidence.

2. You understand your income sources (even if you haven’t perfected the plan)

You don’t need to be a financial expert to retire well.

But you do need a clear picture of where your income will come from.

If you already know:

• When you may take Social Security
• What your pension or annuity options look like
• How much you might reasonably withdraw from savings
• What healthcare will cost in your first few years

…you’re far ahead of most pre-retirees.

Retirement success is less about having the “perfect” strategy and more about having a coordinated, predictable income foundation you feel comfortable relying on.

If you understand the basics, the fine-tuning can happen with an advisor over time.

3. You’re craving a new rhythm — not just an escape from work

Here’s something I see often:

People who want to run from work are rarely ready.

People who want to run toward something usually are.

If you’re feeling a pull toward a different pace of life — more freedom, more space, more alignment — that’s not restlessness. It’s readiness.

Common signs include:

• Feeling excited (not anxious) about slowing down
• Wanting more control over your time
• Feeling satisfied with your career and proud of what you’ve built
• Sensing that your next chapter deserves your attention

Retirement isn’t the absence of work — it’s the presence of a new rhythm. When you’re craving that rhythm, your internal clock is telling you something important.

4. You value freedom over structure

If you’ve reached a point where flexibility sounds more appealing than routine, it’s a meaningful psychological signal.

Many near-retirees begin noticing that:

• Weekends feel too short
• They want longer stretches of unplanned time
• Travel feels restricted by work schedules
• They’re ready for more spontaneity
• They’d like days dictated by energy, not deadlines

When freedom becomes more energizing than structure, you’re shifting into the mindset retirement thrives on.

This shift doesn’t happen overnight — but when it starts to feel natural, you’re closer than you think.

5. You want to step toward something — not simply stop working

This is the biggest sign of all.

Retirement is not a finish line.

It’s a doorway.

If you’ve begun thinking about:

• What you want this next chapter to feel like
• How you’ll stay connected and engaged
• What experiences or goals you’ve put off
• The identity you want to grow into
• How you can give your time and talents new meaning

…you’re already doing the emotional work that makes retirement successful.

Financial readiness is important — but identity readiness is what makes retirement fulfilling.

If this resonates with you, you may be closer than you realize.

The truth: retirement readiness is rarely all-or-nothing

Most people never feel 100% certain they’re ready.

But readiness isn’t perfection.

Readiness is alignment.

If you:

✔️ Have clarity about your income

✔️ Understand your healthcare path

✔️ Know your spending ranges

✔️ Have a vision for your daily life

✔️ Feel pulled toward a new chapter

…you’re far more prepared than you think.

Retirement is both a financial and emotional decision — and both deserve space in the process. When the numbers support your next step and your heart feels forward-leaning, the moment tends to reveal itself.

Final Thought

You don’t need a magic number or a perfect plan to step confidently into retirement.

You need clarity, intention, and a life you’re excited to step into.

If even a few of these signs feel true for you, your next chapter may be closer than you think — and it might be more fulfilling than you imagine.

Ready to explore your timeline?

A conversation today can bring the clarity you’ve been missing.

‍