Plan ahead and retire your way: Practical retirement planning advice

The best time to plant a tree may have been 20 years ago, but the second-best time is today.

Some of the biggest decisions we make in life don’t come with clear instructions. Buying a home. Raising a family. Changing careers. Planning for retirement. Each decision builds on the last, and the impact often stretches far beyond the moment you make it.

Financial decisions work the same way. What you decide today can shape your options years down the road. That’s why many people look for guidance, not just information, when it comes to planning for the future.
Your financial life deserves the same care and attention as the other long-term decisions you make.
Starting early and starting where you are

The best time to plant a tree may have been 20 years ago, but the second-best time is today. The same idea applies to retirement planning. In an ideal world, you may have started saving regularly early in your career. If that didn’t happen, you’re not alone and it doesn’t mean that planning for the future isn’t still possible.
“Start early, be disciplined, and make it painless. Every time you get paid, take some money and put it away,” says Manish Kaushal, Associate Vice President Wealth and Business Solutions with SCU and Wealth Advisor at Aviso Wealth.

When life changes the plan

Most people begin with good intentions. Then life happens.
Student loans may be higher than expected. A family might come sooner than planned. Everyday expenses can take priority, and choices have to be made. In those moments, focusing on today often comes before planning for tomorrow.
If your retirement savings haven’t followed a straight path, that’s okay, you’re not alone. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s steady progress guided by a plan that reflects your reality today and your future goals.

Getting clear on what retirement means to you

Retirement planning isn’t about fitting into a predefined picture. It’s about understanding what matters to you and what’s realistic for your life.

Thoughtful retirement planning at every stage of life

• Writing down your goals gives you something tangible to work toward and adjust over time. 

• An honest assessment helps set expectations that feel achievable.

How do you want to live day to day?

• Trying out a retirement-style budget can help you understand future spending and priorities.

How might your health influence your plans?

• Considering health early can help shape more resilient plans.

Is travel important to you?

• Some people choose to travel earlier in retirement, when health and insurance costs may be more manageable.

How do you balance the future with today?

• Planning for tomorrow shouldn’t mean putting life on hold now.

These conversations form the foundation of a plan that can adapt as your life changes.


Why time still matters

“If you wait until you’re 60 years old to map out your retirement, you’re probably not going to be able to do everything you wanted to do,” Kaushal says, noting you may have to take a more aggressive approach with your investment mix than if you had started early.

That’s why retirement planning works best as an ongoing process rather than a last-minute exercise. “Every situation is different and changes throughout your life. The amount you can put away can change as your kids grow up and leave the house. There’s more money you can save for your nest egg,” he says. As your circumstances change, your plan should change with you.


Planning for the next generation

For some families, planning extends beyond their own retirement.

If you’ve got the means, Kaushal recommends helping your kids get started with a savings plan, too. Even small contributions, plus getting your children involved in the process, can help build strong habits over time.
Kaushal also recommends applying for your child’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) and setting up RESP contributions for your kids (Registered Education Savings Plan) as soon as they’re born. “That should be automatic. Education is getting more and more expensive. Parents who can, should try to help them out with that. If you start when they’re newborns, you can take advantage of tax credits as you go along. Give them a path,” he says.

“If you don’t save for it now, you’ll pay for it later.”


Retirement planning that evolves with you

There’s no single “right” way to retire—only what’s right for you.
Whether you’re just beginning to plan, adjusting along the way, or refining your approach for the years ahead, having guidance can help you make informed decisions and adapt with confidence.


Retire your way.

Book an appointment and start a conversation about what retirement looks like on your terms.