The years around retirement create a long list of decisions, and most do not have one universal answer. These FAQs explain the major variables in plain language so you can understand what may deserve a deeper conversation for your own situation.
The information is educational and should not be treated as individualized tax, legal, investment, Social Security, or Medicare advice.
Reviewed by Tyler Brown, CFP®. Published September 11, 2026. Last reviewed September 11, 2026.
Related: Social Security and Medicare planning. For program rules, use the Social Security Administration and Medicare.gov as primary sources.