Retirement Looks Different When You’re Living It
After spending years helping people prepare for retirement, I can tell you this with total confidence. Retirement looks one way on paper and another way in real life.
Many of the high-net-worth families I work with have built successful businesses or careers, saved consistently, invested wisely, and done everything they were “supposed” to do. Their numbers are strong and their portfolios are ready. But when the time comes to actually step away from work, they find themselves thinking, “Now what?”
That is why I encourage my clients to do what I call a “retirement rehearsal”. Just like you wouldn’t buy a new car without taking it for a spin, you shouldn’t commit to a completely new way of life without trying it out first.
What Is a Retirement Rehearsal?
A retirement rehearsal is a short-term experiment where you live as if you’re retired, even if you’re still working or only partially retired. The idea is to test drive the lifestyle, the spending habits, the schedule, and the financial flow before you make any permanent decisions.
For some, this might mean taking a month off from work or transitioning to a part-time role. For others, it might mean blocking off two weeks to live exactly how you would if you were already retired.
It’s not just about checking whether you can afford it. It’s about seeing how it feels, how it fits, and where the gaps are. A retirement rehearsal brings clarity in ways spreadsheets never can.
Test Your Spending in Real Life
One of the most common questions I get is, “Will I have enough to retire?” What people really mean is, “Will I be able to live the way I want without running out of money?”
We can build beautiful projections and retirement income plans, but nothing compares to seeing what happens when you actually spend at your expected retirement level. That’s what a rehearsal allows you to do.
Are your projected monthly expenses realistic? Are you dining out more? Traveling less? Did you underestimate how much you’d spend helping your grandkids or on hobbies like boating or golfing?
A retirement rehearsal lets you find those blind spots before they become long-term problems. You can refine your budget and income plan based on what retirement actually costs you, not what you thought it might.
Find Out If the Lifestyle Works for You
The second benefit of a retirement rehearsal is learning whether the lifestyle fits your personality and routine.
Many people are surprised to find that without a work schedule, they feel a little lost. That sense of purpose or structure they had while working doesn’t automatically show up in retirement.
I’ve had clients tell me that during their rehearsal, they realized they needed more social interaction or wanted more travel in their plans. Others discovered they were happiest when volunteering, starting a side business, or mentoring younger professionals.
You won’t know how retirement fits you until you try it on. A rehearsal gives you that chance in a low-pressure, flexible way.
Strengthen the Emotional Side of Retirement
For many successful individuals, work is not just a paycheck. It is part of their identity. Letting go of that role can bring unexpected emotions.
During a retirement rehearsal, you might experience what it feels like to not be the one making business decisions, leading meetings, or solving problems every day. That transition can be emotional, especially if you’ve spent decades in that leadership space.
Giving yourself a practice run helps you process those changes with your feet still on the ground. It also opens the door to talk through things with your spouse or family so everyone’s on the same page when the real transition comes.
Evaluate Your Income Strategy in Real Time
A rehearsal is also a great time to test your income plan. Instead of reinvesting everything or pulling only from work paychecks, try living off the planned retirement income sources.
This could include:
- Drawing from investment accounts
- Using rental income
- Receiving dividends or annuity payments
- Making mock withdrawals to simulate real ones
See how it feels to receive income on a fixed schedule. Test how easy it is to access funds when you need them. Check how your tax situation changes. These little details are often overlooked until it’s too late.
How to Run Your Own Retirement Rehearsal
You don’t need a full sabbatical or a complete work break to do this. You can start small. Here’s how:
- Pick a time period: 2 weeks to 1 month works well.
- Follow your expected retirement routine: Wake up, exercise, eat, travel, volunteer, or relax the way you would in full retirement.
- Spend like you’re retired: Use your expected retirement budget. Pay for things out of your savings or mock income accounts.
- Reflect: Journal or take notes on what feels good, what feels off, and what you would change.
You’ll be amazed by how much you learn in just a few weeks of living the life you’re planning for.
Make Retirement a Confident Decision, Not a Leap of Faith
Retirement should not feel like jumping off a cliff. It should feel like walking through a door you’ve already opened and explored.
A retirement rehearsal helps take the fear out of the unknown. It gives you time to tweak the plan, align your lifestyle with your values, and make sure you’re truly ready when the time comes.
If you’re considering retirement in the next 1 to 5 years, I highly recommend testing it first. And if you want help designing a retirement plan that supports both your numbers and your life, I’d be honored to help guide that journey.
You only retire once. Let’s make sure it feels just right.