There’s a special stretch of time in most people’s lives - about five to ten years before retirement - when decisions matter more than ever. If you’re in that window, you still have enough time to shape your path. You’re close enough to retirement to see it clearly, but not so close that you’re locked into one outcome.
Families who act during this window tend to feel less rushed, have more options, and involve their adult children in meaningful ways.
You’re Running Out of Time but Not Out of Opportunity
In 2025, many households report low savings or unclear plans. According to one study, the average retirement savings per household is approximately $114,435, though the variation by state and income is wide.
Only about 54 % of U.S. households report having retirement account assets, and many of those have less than $100,000 saved.
When you’re within that five-to-ten-year stretch, those numbers should serve as motivation, not panic. Because this window gives you time to act.
What That Window Allows
Starting action now gives you clarity and flexibility in three key areas:
- Timeline adjustments – If you wait too long, your retirement date becomes a fixed endpoint. In the 5–10 year window, you still get to choose what age feels right.
- Tax and investment strategy – With time, you can test scenarios and make moves that could save thousands.
- Family involvement – This is when you can include your adult children in the conversation so everyone knows roles, expectations, and where documents are.
Questions Families Should Ask Now
Use this list to guide your next discussion (with spouse, partner, or adult children):
- Where are our key documents stored, and do our adult kids know how to access them?
- What does our ideal retirement life look like (where we live, how we spend time) and does our plan reflect that?
- If something unexpected happens, who will act on our behalf and do they know their role?
- Have we reviewed our account types, beneficiaries, and legal documents in the last year?
- Are our children clear on how they might be involved—or not involved—in the future?
Why Starting Now Makes a Difference
When I work with families in that window, something shifts.
Instead of talking about someday, they start saying, “We should,” “We will,” and “We have.”
Because there’s still time. Not unlimited time—but enough to shape what’s ahead.
When documents are organized, children are informed, and decisions are made thoughtfully, the path forward feels lighter, not heavier.
Action Steps You Can Take Today
- Open your binder or planning file and confirm one key section is up to date (for example: beneficiaries or power of attorney).
- Schedule one meeting with your adult children (even 30 minutes) to walk through one piece of the plan.
- Download and use your Beneficiaries Handbook + Checklist to guide the conversation.
- Review your retirement timeline and ask: Would retiring even one year earlier still work?
- Make a list of two tax or investment moves you could make now to create more flexibility.
Conclusion
If you’re five to ten years out from retirement, you’re at one of the most important stages of planning. There’s still enough time to make meaningful changes, involve the people you love, and create a path forward that reflects your goals.
Begin with clarity. Begin with conversation. Begin with the window you have now.