4 Reasons to Hold a Retirement Dress Rehearsal
Before you sell your house and buy that golf course condo or move down the street from your grandkids, take some time to try it out to see if reality lives up to the dream.
One of my clients fell in love with Belize. He and his wife had vacationed there and thought it would be the perfect tropical retirement paradise. They decided to move, but luckily they also took my advice to hold a “rehearsal” before making the move permanent.
They rented a home for six months before buying, and soon found that the reality of living in Belize was much different than their romanticized vacation memories. They didn’t actually enjoy living the resort lifestyle year-round, and more important, they didn’t like being so far away from family.
Another client had retirement dreams closer to home. An avid tennis player, he decided to work as a tennis instructor at his local club after retiring. Again, I suggested he try out his new job before fully committing. He soon learned that his knees weren’t happy with full-time tennis, and the rest of him wasn’t crazy about having to be on the courts during the hottest days of a Texas summer.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
I think everyone who wants to make a substantial change after retirement should hold a “dress rehearsal.” By trying out your new lifestyle, you can:
1. Get a better idea of your new expenses.
Sure, once you quit work you won’t have to pay for a career wardrobe or work lunches or gas for the commute, but there will probably be new expenses. You may want to travel, or to join a gym or a club. You may want to buy season passes to the zoo for you and the grandkids, or season tickets to the opera for you and your spouse. You may need to add a cushion for extra health care expenses or insurance payments into your budget, too.
2. See if your body agrees with your retirement plans.
You may want to sail your own boat to the Bahamas, or watch the grandkids full-time, or play tennis all day, but you may be basing your expectations on the way you felt in your 40s, not your 60s. By rehearsing, you’ll be able to determine your current energy level and plan accordingly.
3. Find out if your hobbies are still fun full-time.
Golfing all day may sound like bliss until you actually do it. You may find out that you get too tired to pursue certain hobbies full time, or need some variety, or just want to pursue your activities in smaller doses, so they remain special to you.
4. Learn how much closeness or distance you want from family.
I’ve known retirees who moved away from their families only to learn they missed them more than they anticipated. I’ve known others who found themselves worn out by too much togetherness. A trial period can help you decide how much family time you want.
If you’re thinking about moving to a new town (or country), there are even more reasons to rehearse. You can learn for yourself about:
- Expenses
- Availability of health care
- Climate
- Recreational opportunities
- Access to transportation (area airports, major highways, etc.)
- Community and potential friendships
- Ease of visiting family (or visa versa)
I believe your retirement should be fun, like a second childhood without parental supervision, but change is always difficult. Skip the stress as much as possible by rehearsing your retirement ahead of time. I bet you’ll be happy you did.
-
Your Guide to Buying Art OnlineFrom virtual galleries to social media platforms, the internet offers plenty of places to shop for paintings, sculptures and other artwork without breaking the bank.
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for $4.99 a Month: A Closer Look at Verizon’s DealVerizon’s aggressive pricing makes Samsung’s top-tier phone tempting, but the real cost depends on your plan and how long you stay.
-
I'm 59 with $1.7 million saved and lost my job. Should I retire?We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
-
A Wealth Adviser Explains: 4 Times I'd Give the Green Light for a Roth Conversion (and 4 Times I'd Say It's a No-Go)Roth conversions should never be done on a whim — they're a product of careful timing and long-term tax considerations. So how can you tell whether to go ahead?
-
A 4-Step Anxiety-Reducing Retirement Road Map, From a Financial AdviserThis helpful process covers everything from assessing your current finances and risks to implementing and managing your personalized retirement income plan.
-
The $183,000 RMD Shock: Why Roth Conversions in Your 70s Can Be RiskyConverting retirement funds to a Roth is a smart strategy for many, but the older you are, the less time you have to recover the tax bite from the conversion.
-
A Financial Pro Breaks Retirement Planning Into 5 Manageable PiecesThis retirement plan focuses on five key areas — income generation, tax management, asset withdrawals, planning for big expenses and health care, and legacy.
-
4 Financial To-Dos to Finish 2025 Strong and Start 2026 on Solid GroundDon't overlook these important year-end check-ins. Missed opportunities and avoidable mistakes could end up costing you if you're not paying attention.
-
Are You Putting Yourself Last? The Cost Could Be Your Retirement SecurityIf you're part of the sandwich generation, it's critical that you don't let the needs of your aging parents come at the expense of your future.
-
I'm an Insurance Pro: It's Time to Prepare for Natural Disasters Like They Could Happen to YouYou can no longer have the mindset that "that won't happen here." Because it absolutely could. As we head into 2026, consider making a disaster plan.
-
The Future of Philanthropy Is Female: How Women Will Lead a New Era in Charitable GivingWomen will soon be in charge of trillions in charitable capital, through divorce, inheritance and their own investments. Here's how to use your share for good.
