According to the Employee Benefits Institute’s 2022 Retirement Spending Survey, just over half (53%) of retirees report strong satisfaction with their retirement lives.

“I am a firm believer that one way to be happy in retirement or semi-retirement is to stay active and engage with the world,” says Paul Dillon, a 78-year-old grandfather from Durham, North Carolina. increase.

Since retiring in 2006, Dillon has been an adjunct professor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, a veterans affairs consultant, writer, and conference presenter.

Setting goals and planning ahead can help you cope with challenges as you age and prepare for new opportunities.

Here are four tips from the experts on aging, retirement, and financial management.

1. Test drive your retirement income

Will you save money when you retire? Best to know in advance.

“Before you actually retire, take a ‘retirement test drive’ to see if your income is good enough,” Scott Jensen, a certified financial planner in Queen Creek, Arizona, wrote in an email.

Here’s how to try retirement.

• Identify sources of retirement income such as Social Security, 401(k), IRA plans, annuities, annuities, and other savings.
• Calculate your retirement income based on these sources — NerdWallet’s Retirement Calculator can help.
• Live on your estimated retirement income for a while.

If you’re having trouble with your retirement life, it’s a sign that you may not be ready yet. Therefore, we recommend that you reconsider your budget and plans with the help of your financial advisor.

2. Plan your day

Patti Black, CFP in Birmingham, Alabama, said: Purpose and connection are key, she says.

Black interviewed a client about his retirement. She found that people sometimes struggle when they are focused on when to stop working and have no plan for what happens next. were people who took a purposeful approach and remained involved in community organizations, caring for their grandchildren, etc.

“They didn’t schedule the week, but at least they had some things planned,” says Black. Of course, retirement planning doesn’t have to be elaborate or costly, but “pre-planning is very helpful.”

3. Prepare for health changes

Nearly one-third of adults age 65 and older have at least one disability, according to data from the US Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.

These health problems become more common as we age. For example, survey data shows that people over the age of 75 are disabled at least twice as often as people aged 65 to her 74.

Prepare in advance for changes in health and abilities.

Medicare It covers some things, but not all. Other help is available through programs such as the Aged Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and Aged Community Agencies that provide community services and support.

For example, the ADRC in Dane County, Wisconsin has staff to assist seniors with home safety, vision and lighting, social isolation, memory screening, meal provision, medication review, falls, mobility, and emergency preparedness. and resources. All ADRC services are free and there are no income or wealth restrictions.

You can use. Elderly Care Locatoris a national service administered by the US Administration on Aging that allows you to find programs and services near you.

4. Use your talent

“It’s very important to stay engaged with the world, and there are many ways to do it,” says Dillon.

Retirement isn’t always a sharp break, and you’ll never work again. Nearly 26% of adults aged 65 to 74 are working or looking for a job, according to 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That number is expected to increase to almost 31% by 2031. Over the age of 65 and working is just one option. There are many formal and informal ways to help the community and try new things.

“Regardless of what you’ve done in your career, whether it’s manufacturing, accounting or retail…you’ve amassed a lot of talent. See how the world is.” See what needs to be done,” says Dillon. “Use these talents. Use the skills you have acquired for the benefit of others.”

The article 4 Tips for a Meaningful and Successful Retirement originally appeared on NerdWallet.