Why the Best Retirement Planning Starts 1–2 Years Before Clients Leave Work
Rhonda Fekete, ICF PCC
Executive & Retirement Coach (ICF PCC, CPRC) | Career Strategy • Leadership Development • Non-Financial Retirement Coaching
September 18, 2025
Opening Insight
Financial planning typically focuses on what happens after the retirement party. But the real opportunity for advisors is engaging clients in the 1–2 years before retirement begins. This is when fears surface, routines start shifting, and identities are tested.
Core Insight – The Hidden Gap
Most clients only prepare for the financial side of retirement. Few prepare for the lifestyle transition. By the time they’ve retired, it’s often too late to smooth out the rough edges.
Why 1–2 Years Out Matters
• Clients can test-drive routines before leaving work.
• They can address fears about identity, purpose, and relationships before they hit.
• Advisors who initiate these conversations early position themselves as holistic partners — not just investment managers.
The “Vacation Abroad” Analogy
Clients will spend months planning a costly vacation — flights, hotels, excursions, even outfits. Retirement deserves at least that much intentional planning. Positioning retirement as a ‘trip of a lifetime’ helps clients understand the need to prepare thoughtfully.
Mini Tool / Conversation Guide for AdvisorsMini Tool / Conversation Guide for Advisors
3 Pre-Retirement Questions to Ask Clients 12–24 Months Out:
• What’s one routine or habit you want to experiment with before retirement begins?
• What do you anticipate missing most about work — and how could you replace it?
• What relationships (colleagues, community, family) do you want to nurture more intentionally in this next chapter?
Call to Action
For Advisors: Want to test a pre-retirement planning approach with one client family? I offer co-branded “Life-After-Work Previews” — a structured conversation you can add to annual reviews for clients 1–2 years away from retirement.
👉 Book a short call with me to explore a retainer model that helps you deepen client trust before retirement begins. Direct message me to learn more.
Connect on LinkedIn to learn more about partnering opportunities: linkedin.com/in/rhondasfekete
About the Author
Rhonda Fekete is an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach, Certified Professional Retirement Coach, and Leadership Development Coach. She spent 9 years with a Fortune 100 financial services firm as a Sales Coach & Leadership Development Consultant and now partners with advisors to help clients thrive beyond money.
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=rhondasfekete
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