What’s Your Retirement Goal—and Are You on Track?

Retirement isn’t just a number or an age—it’s a destination. The question is: Where are you headed, and are you on the right path to get there?

Whether you’re dreaming of quiet coastal living, international travel, or staying close to family with no financial worries, clarity is the key to confidence. That means knowing what you want and having a plan that aligns your income, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Define Your Ideal Retirement Lifestyle

Before you can build a financial plan, you need to visualize your retirement destination. Here are a few questions to guide your vision:

 

This exercise isn’t just about dreaming—it’s about making intentional financial decisions that support your goals.

Map Your Income Plan to Your Vision

Now that you’ve sketched your retirement vision, it’s time to evaluate your income sources. Ask yourself:

• What income streams will I have? (Social Security, pensions, annuities, investments)
• Are they guaranteed or market-based?
• Do they match the lifestyle I envision?

This step ensures your retirement income plan supports your real-world needs.

What Does Your Guaranteed Income Look Like?

One of the most important retirement questions is also one of the most overlooked:

How much guaranteed income do you really have—and is it enough to cover your needs?

Guaranteed income sources like Social Security and annuities provide stability no matter what happens in the markets. But many retirees find they have a gap between what’s guaranteed and what they actually need to feel secure.

Use the calculator below to see how much guaranteed income a Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) could provide based on your current savings and goals.

Guaranteed Lifetime Annuity Income Calculator 

This quick tool will help you understand:

• How much income you can expect from a FIA
• How it compares to your essential monthly expenses
• Whether a lifetime income rider might be right for your situation

Having a clear income floor changes everything—it reduces stress, improves decision-making, and brings lasting confidence to your retirement years.

Are You on Track—or Just Hoping for the Best?

It’s easy to delay these questions. But doing so puts your future at risk. A solid retirement plan:

• Fills income gaps
• Accounts for inflation and healthcare costs
• Builds in flexibility for the unexpected

A plan that isn’t stress-tested is a guess—not a strategy.

Your Next Step: Define and Align

If you haven’t clearly outlined your goals and matched them to an income plan, now is the time. Talk with a retirement income specialist who can help you:

• Clarify your retirement lifestyle
• Calculate your income needs
• Explore solutions like Fixed Indexed Annuities that offer guaranteed lifetime income

Final Thought

Retirement is one of the most rewarding phases of life—but only if it’s planned well. Make sure your finances support your vision, not limit it.

• Explore more retirement planning tools and guidance at SafeMoney.com or connect with a local advisor to build your roadmap.

Written by Brent Meyer, founder of SafeMoney.com. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in annuities and retirement planning, Brent is committed to helping Americans make informed, confident financial decisions.

Disclaimer: This article offers general retirement planning tips and is not personal financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making any decisions.

The post What’s Your Retirement Goal—and Are You on Track? first appeared on SafeMoney.com.