Over the past little while, events in my life have taught me the most important thing that must not happen before you retire. I view it as the most critical part of your retirement planning.
I have noted a lot of folks talking about the importance of putting money into your RRSP and others talking about the importance of being out of debt before you retire. Others talk about the importance of an excellent pension plan, and this is something else that you should put in your retirement arsenal of tools. Still, others push the importance of retiring early. However, my concept is still even more important than this if you genuinely want to enjoy your retirement.

What Must You do Before You Retire ?
What is this crucial thing that you must not do before you retire? Die, don’t die before you retire, or all your savings and hard work will be for no good reason.
It seems like a frivolous and relatively obvious statement. Still, given my age, I am finding out and seeing more and more of my peers getting ill and passing away, and the only folks who are benefiting from their hard work in setting up for their retirements are their families (if they have any).
Too Simple ?
Yes, in some ways, but I am trying to make that I would much rather be 85 years old and in debt than dead at age 52 with no debt. No, I am not espousing blowing all your money because life is short (to be trite). I am saying your health is more important than your money.
How to stop dieing before your retirement?
- See your Doctor regularly, and especially before you try to start to lose weight or exercise.
- Exercise regularly (after seeing your doctor) and start slowly (blowing your knee the first week is not as good as you think).
- Eat a good diet
No, the best defence there is to look both ways before crossing the street, but it will better your odds of making it to an enjoyable retirement.
Health first, then make sure your financial house is in order to enjoy your retirement.
And you don’t want to die early if annuities are in your portfolio because your $ will default to the insurance company.