Retire on Your Terms — Building a Value-Aligned Retirement Plan
Aug 19, 2025
Retirement isn’t just a financial event — it’s a life redesign. For many people over the age of 50, it’s also a moment of reckoning:
- What do I want the next 20–30 years to look like?
- Do I want to work part-time? Travel? Start a second chapter?
- Will I outlive my money?
You don’t need to have it all figured out. But you do need a retirement plan that’s aligned with your values, not just your numbers.
Step 1: Define Your Vision
Forget formulas for a moment. Ask yourself:
- Where do I want to live?
- What kind of lifestyle feels nourishing?
- How do I want to spend my days?
This clarity becomes the compass for your financial plan.
Step 2: Take Stock of Your Resources
Now bring the numbers in:
- Pensions, RRSPs, employer plans
- Investments, property, savings
- Any passive income or part-time work you might want to include
List them, organize them, and notice any gaps.
Step 3: Align Your Money With Your Meaning
This is where the plan becomes powerful. Instead of just planning for sufficiency, plan for satisfaction.
That may mean:
- Downsizing to free up time and capital
- Investing in health and wellness for longevity
- Structuring withdrawals in a tax-savvy, sustainable way
You get to choose.
Step 4: Stay Flexible
Life will change. Markets will move. Your interests might evolve. A good retirement plan isn’t rigid — it adjusts with you.
With the proper support, you don’t have to fear retirement. You can design it. You can own it. You can live it on your terms.