Plain-English retirement briefings
Retire with clarity, not guesswork.
Unhurried, plain-English briefings on Social Security, Medicare, income that lasts, and the questions that keep you up at night — written for people at or near retirement.
Recently from the desk
The Case for a 'Test Retirement' Before You Make It Permanent
Before making retirement permanent, a genuine trial run can reveal what your finances never will — whether the daily texture of the life actually suits you.
How Social Security Determines Your Full Retirement Age Based on Birth Year
Social Security assigns a full retirement age of 67 to anyone born in 1960 or later, unless you were born on January 1, in which case SSA has you use the prior year's figure instead.
Living Near Family vs. Living Near Friends: The Retirement Relocation Trade-off
Relocating for retirement often comes down to a single trade-off: proximity to the people who share your blood, or the community that already knows you.
The Unretirement Trend: Why More Retirees Are Going Back to Work
More retirees are choosing to go back to work, and it's rarely about money. A look at why, and how to tell if it might be the right move for you.
The Couples' Conversation About What Retirement Actually Looks Like Day to Day
Financial alignment doesn't guarantee lifestyle alignment. The practical conversation couples need before both of them are home, every day, for good.
Turning a Hobby Into Modest Retirement Income, Without Ruining the Hobby
A practical guide to pricing, boundaries, and pacing that lets a retirement hobby earn a little extra money without turning into an unwanted second job.
The Storage Unit Trap: Why 'Just in Case' Boxes Rarely Get Opened Again
Bridge storage feels like a responsible compromise during a move, but it often becomes an expensive way to postpone a decision you were always going to have to make.
Browse by the question on your mind
Five quiet corners of retirement, each with its own running file of plain-English briefings.
Social Security
When to claim, spousal and survivor strategy, and the math behind waiting.
Medicare & Health
Parts A through D, Advantage vs. Supplement, and avoiding the late-enrollment traps.
Income & Withdrawals
Drawing income that lasts — withdrawal order, RMDs, annuities, and tax-smart sequencing.
Estate & Legacy
Wills, beneficiaries, trusts, and passing on what you've built without surprises.
Retirement Living
Where and how to live well — downsizing, purpose, travel, and everyday retirement life.
Plain answers to the questions readers send us
A running column of the questions we hear most — answered without jargon, the way we would explain it to a friend.
I turn 62 next year. Should I claim Social Security as soon as I can?
Rarely, if you can avoid it. Every year you wait past 62 raises your monthly benefit — by roughly 8% a year between full retirement age and 70. If you are in good health and have other income to bridge the gap, waiting is one of the few guaranteed raises left in retirement. Claim early only if you need the money now or have good reason to expect a shorter horizon.
Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan — how do I even start?
Start with the calendar, not the plans. Your Initial Enrollment Period runs for seven months around your 65th birthday, and missing it can mean lifelong penalties. Once you are enrolled in Parts A and B, the real choice is between Original Medicare with a Supplement versus an all-in-one Advantage plan. The right answer depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, and how much certainty you want in a bad year.
How much can I safely spend from my savings each year?
The old rule of thumb was 4% of your starting balance, adjusted for inflation. It remains a reasonable place to begin a conversation, but it is a starting point, not a promise. Your real number depends on how your money is invested, when you claim Social Security, and how flexible you can be in a down market. Spending a little less in weak years buys a great deal of peace of mind.
General information, not personalized financial advice. For decisions about your own situation, speak with a qualified professional.
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A short weekly note from the desk — what changed in the rules, what it means for you, and the one briefing we think you should read.
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Why readers trust The Retirement Blog
The Retirement Blog is a small editorial desk focused on one readership: people at or near retirement. We write calm, plain-English briefings on Social Security, Medicare, retirement income, and estate planning — the kind of guidance you'd want from a trusted friend who happens to know the rules. We are independent and we explain our reasoning, so you can make your own call with confidence.
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Plain English, always
No jargon, no scare tactics, no fine-print mazes. We explain the rules the way a patient friend would.
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Independent and unhurried
We are not selling you a plan or a product. We take the time to lay out the trade-offs and let you decide.
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We show our reasoning
Every recommendation comes with the why behind it, so you can check it against your own situation.