3 Scenarios That Could Derail Your Retirement

Even the best-laid plans for retirement can suddenly go awry if a major life event strikes.

Pensive senior woman leans against a fence
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Even the best-laid plans for retirement can suddenly go awry if a major life event strikes. For example, a sudden job loss, a marital break-up or becoming a caregiver for an ailing parent or spouse can wreak havoc on finances – potentially for years. But even if you’re hit with one of these life events, you can get your retirement back on track.Here are three major retirement derailers, as well as resources and strategies to overcome them.

Kimberly Lankford
Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.