Before You Retire: 10 Things No One Tells You to Do (+1 Bonus Tip)
Let’s Talk Honestly About Retirement
Before you retire…
When people talk about retirement, the focus is usually on:
Finances
Travel
“What are you going to do with all your free time?”
All important.
But there’s a whole other side to retirement that rarely gets discussed:
👉 The transition.
The transition from your known routines—and all the little nuances of you that get you through your day practically on autopilot.
The minutia.
The piddly little details.
The things you never really think about…
Until they’re gone.
These are the practical, behind-the-scenes things that make your life easier…
Or could quietly complicate it if you don’t consider them before retirement.
I learned this firsthand when I retired in 2021.
So if you’re on the verge of retirement, these tips will help make your shift smoother.
If you’re within 6–12 months of retirement, this checklist will save you time, money, and stress.
Before You Retire, Make the Transition Easier
Retirement isn’t something you simply step into.
You move through it. Into it.
And the smoother you make that transition, the better everything that comes after will feel.
These tips are about reducing friction—so you can focus on what actually matters.
Here’s something worth keeping in mind before you go any further.
Most people don’t struggle in retirement because they don’t know what to do.
They struggle because they don’t act on what they already know matters—until it’s too late or much harder to fix.
Getting ahead of that now is what makes this transition smoother.
1. Use Your Benefits While You Still Have Them
If your employer offers benefits—use them.
All of them.
Get those new glasses (OMG, trifocals can be super costly 😄)
And don’t forget safety glasses if you’re covered
Book dental work
Replace orthotics or custom footwear
Once you retire?
Those costs are yours.
This is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress later.
2. Get a Mental Wellness Check-Up
This one matters more than most people expect.
If you’ve spent years in a high-stress or high-responsibility role, there may be things you’ve pushed aside.
In the fire service, we call this a:
👉 “neck up check-up”
Things like:
- cumulative stress
- burnout
- PTSD (especially in emergency services or healthcare)
Retirement doesn’t magically resolve those things.
In many cases…
it brings them into sharper focus.
Research shows that major life transitions—especially ones involving identity change—can increase psychological stress if not addressed proactively (American Psychological Association).
Organisations like the Canadian Mental Health Association offer excellent resources if you’re not sure where to start.
3. Get a Full Physical before Retiring
You’re about to enter a new phase of life.
Perhaps it’s not the most flattering analogy, but I thought of myself as a used car when I retired from the fire department.
Still in great shape…
But you don’t drive it off the lot without a full safety.
Starting retirement with a clear understanding of your health matters.
Preventive care guidelines emphasise early detection and baseline health assessments (Mayo Clinic).
Address anything that needs attention now
Establish a baseline
One small thing that rarely makes the list: get your hearing checked.
Research from Johns Hopkins has shown that untreated hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for dementia, not just because of the hearing itself, but because it increases cognitive strain and reduces social engagement over time.
This isn’t about worry—it’s about awareness and control.
4. Gather Any Occupational Health Documentation
Sticking with the theme of Occupational Health and Safety…
If your profession is associated with any specific occupational risks or diseases that are compensable, gather your documentation now.
There are forms of cancer linked to certain occupations.
Consider Asbestosis as one example.
You may not have an issue now.
But think ahead—to your future, and your family’s needs.
New conditions are regularly added to occupational disease lists.
This might include:
- employment records
- exposure documentation
- medical records
It’s much easier to access this while you’re still employed.
5. Download Your Contacts
This was a big one for me.
Your work phone and email likely hold more than just your “work” contacts.
Over time, they contain:
- personal connections
- trusted colleagues
- friends
Before you lose access…
Download everything.
Colleagues became friends a long time ago.
You’ll want their contact info.
👉 Share this with someone else who is 6–12 months from retirement
6. Save Your Photos
Same idea.
How many photos do you have sitting on your work phone?
Team events
Colleagues
Moments you didn’t think twice about at the time
Before you return that device…
Make sure those memories come with you.
7. Consider Getting a New Phone
If your employer has a partnership with a major provider, you may have access to corporate pricing.
This can apply to:
- new devices
- monthly plans
And sometimes those corporate rates beat so-called “senior discounts.”
Set up your own device now
Transfer everything properly
Avoid scrambling later.
8. Take Advantage of Corporate Perks
If you’re enrolled in subscription-style memberships—or thinking about joining something—do it now.
Because those discounts?
They’re usually tied to employment.
And they often disappear the moment you retire.
Think about:
- gym memberships
- golf clubs
- travel discounts
- learning opportunities
If you use it—lock it in.
9. Look Into Major Purchases Now
Similar idea.
You may currently have access to:
- Preferred pricing
- “Friends and family” programs
- Better financing
These benefits often disappear after retirement.
If you’re planning a larger purchase, consider doing it before you leave.
10. Set Up Credit While You’re Still Working
This one surprised me.
It did not matter that my retirement income met every requirement.
The word “retired” alone became a red flag.
Many lending decisions today are evaluated by algorithms first—not people.
And those systems often prioritise traditional employment status.
Resources from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explain how lenders assess income and risk (FCAC).
Even strong applicants can face challenges.
If you think you may need credit later…
Set it up before you retire.
Bonus Tip: Update Your Resume
You may not think you’ll need it.
But do it anyway.
While everything is still fresh.
Because you may want to:
- Consult
- Cork part-time
- Join a board
- Volunteer
Having your experience clearly documented gives you options.
What This Really Comes Down To
These aren’t just tasks.
There are ways to make your transition smoother.
Because retirement isn’t just about what you’re moving toward.
It’s also about how you leave…
And what you take with you.
There’s a saying in the fire service:
👉 Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
Controlled, steady movement leads to better outcomes.
And the same applies here.
Where This Leads
Most people underestimate how significant the transition into retirement can be.
Research consistently shows that structure, purpose, and engagement play a critical role in well-being after retirement.
But almost no one tells you how to build those things.
That’s exactly where the Retire Active Method comes in.
Where to Go From Here
If you’re getting close to retirement—or you’ve just stepped into it and things feel a bit off—you’re not alone.
The next step isn’t to figure everything out.
It’s time to start moving forward.
One step at a time.
👉 Start here: Retire Active — Your 7-Day Starter Plan
A simple, practical way to:
- regain structure
- reset your mindset
- move through the transition
Final Thought Before You Retire
No one hands you a roadmap for this part.
But that doesn’t mean you have to figure it out the hard way.
🔗 References
This article is informed by research in psychology, health, and retirement transitions, including:
- American Psychological Association — Stress and life transitions
👉 https://www.apa.org/topics/stress - Mayo Clinic — Preventive health screenings
👉 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/health-screenings/art-20046737 - Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Credit and lending assessment
👉 https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score.html
Cynthia Ross Tustin retired early to pursue her passion for writing. Turns out, she's equally passionate about retirement! This author has spent 1000s of hours researching all the best that retirement has to offer. What you'll find here is a well-curated resource of amazing places to go and fun things to do as your retirement approaches. Not retired, no problem! There's plenty here for all of us that are "of a certain vintage"!
