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How to Retire: 20 Lessons For a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement
What are the secrets to a healthy, happy, and wealthy retirement?
To answer that question, longtime Morningstar columnist and podcaster Christine Benz asked 20 retirement thought leaders to go deep on a single lesson that they believe contributes to success in retirement.
These lessons range from nitty gritty financial matters to quality-of-life considerations that help pre-retirees and retirees maximize their “time on earth” allocations.
On the financial side of the ledger, the book delves into knowing your retirement income style (Wade Pfau), understanding how your spending might change in retirement (David Blanchett), and organizing your portfolio to support in-retirement cash flows (William Bernstein).
Other interviews probe softer but no less important considerations, such as how to spend in order to optimize happiness (Ramit Sethi), the value of burnishing relationships later in life (Laura Carstensen), and living life so that you have no regrets in the end (Jordan Grumet). These lessons help soon-to-retire and already-retired individuals and their advisors tackle retirement with confidence, wisdom, and a specific plan for maximizing their financial and human capital.
To answer that question, longtime Morningstar columnist and podcaster Christine Benz asked 20 retirement thought leaders to go deep on a single lesson that they believe contributes to success in retirement.
These lessons range from nitty gritty financial matters to quality-of-life considerations that help pre-retirees and retirees maximize their “time on earth” allocations.
On the financial side of the ledger, the book delves into knowing your retirement income style (Wade Pfau), understanding how your spending might change in retirement (David Blanchett), and organizing your portfolio to support in-retirement cash flows (William Bernstein).
Other interviews probe softer but no less important considerations, such as how to spend in order to optimize happiness (Ramit Sethi), the value of burnishing relationships later in life (Laura Carstensen), and living life so that you have no regrets in the end (Jordan Grumet). These lessons help soon-to-retire and already-retired individuals and their advisors tackle retirement with confidence, wisdom, and a specific plan for maximizing their financial and human capital.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2024
802 people are currently reading
1498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
August 13, 2025
While this book seems intended for people closer to retirement, it actually has a lot of good information for everyone regardless of whether you are at the start or nearing the end of your career. Chapters presented as 20 conversations help to make the information and concepts discussed much more digestible and understandable to a broad audience.
The book does delve into financial and tax topics that can be somewhat technical but it also addressees many areas one might not have even considered with regard to decisions that one will need to make as they approach retiring. Some topics seem like they should be taken into consideration long before retirement like living wills to clarify how you want things taken care of if you are incapacitated. I found the last chapter in the book that focuses on how to live your life so you don't have regrets to be the most impactful, which is excellent advice to follow throughout one's life.
The book does delve into financial and tax topics that can be somewhat technical but it also addressees many areas one might not have even considered with regard to decisions that one will need to make as they approach retiring. Some topics seem like they should be taken into consideration long before retirement like living wills to clarify how you want things taken care of if you are incapacitated. I found the last chapter in the book that focuses on how to live your life so you don't have regrets to be the most impactful, which is excellent advice to follow throughout one's life.
September 9, 2024
If you're within 5 years of retirement, this book is a "must-read." Christine's credibility in the retirement space (she's the Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar) and her unique approach to this book (she interviewed 20 experts in the field and asked each one pointed questions in their area of expertise) resulted in an innovative way to address the question all of us ask as we're approaching retirement, "How To Retire."
The book focuses on both the financial and non-financial aspects of how to retire successfully and isn't afraid to discuss those tough-to-answer questions. I love how some of the experts disagree with each other (whether or not you should buy annuities, should you continue to work in some fashion), allowing the reader to see both sides of an argument as they decide for themselves how to chart their course through retirement.
If you're on the fence, buy this book. You won't regret it, and your retirement will be better as a result.
(In full transparency, I am one of the 20 "experts" interviewed for the book, so my opinion of the book may be a bit biased. Wink. Having said that, on 9/17/24 I'm publishing a full review of the book on my blog, The Retirement Manifesto, and am strongly recommending it to my readers)
The book focuses on both the financial and non-financial aspects of how to retire successfully and isn't afraid to discuss those tough-to-answer questions. I love how some of the experts disagree with each other (whether or not you should buy annuities, should you continue to work in some fashion), allowing the reader to see both sides of an argument as they decide for themselves how to chart their course through retirement.
If you're on the fence, buy this book. You won't regret it, and your retirement will be better as a result.
(In full transparency, I am one of the 20 "experts" interviewed for the book, so my opinion of the book may be a bit biased. Wink. Having said that, on 9/17/24 I'm publishing a full review of the book on my blog, The Retirement Manifesto, and am strongly recommending it to my readers)
October 6, 2024
Retirement planning – yes I am that old – is a complex subject. It’s easy to think that it’s all about money but this book acknowledges that it’s about much more. Christine Benz interviews a number of experts in different fields to deliver 20 chapters on various aspects of retirement.
Some of the financial stuff is very US-focused so will be of limited value to readers elsewhere. The other topics though, around lifestyle adjustments, housing needs, spending changes, portfolio choices, etc, has pretty universal resonance.
This has the potential to be quite a dry topic but here it’s presented in a very readable and entertaining way. Whether you’re hurtling towards retirement or merely contemplating it from afar you should find some useful takeaways here.
Some of the financial stuff is very US-focused so will be of limited value to readers elsewhere. The other topics though, around lifestyle adjustments, housing needs, spending changes, portfolio choices, etc, has pretty universal resonance.
This has the potential to be quite a dry topic but here it’s presented in a very readable and entertaining way. Whether you’re hurtling towards retirement or merely contemplating it from afar you should find some useful takeaways here.
March 23, 2025
Each of the chapters interviews an expert in different aspects of retirement planning. Many different perspectives are laid out so, yes, there are some contradictions. Which goes to prove there is no right or wrong way. I learned a lot, although I could have benefited from some of the info during pre-retirement planning, rather than waiting for retirement to read it. I will definitely be putting some of the recommended practices in place.
December 1, 2024
Christine Benz’s How to Retire is one of the most unique books I’ve come across in the retirement planning space. Instead of the usual single-author approach, this book is built around 20 interviews with leading experts in their fields. Each expert brings something valuable to the table, covering topics like Roth conversions, relocation and downsizing strategies, tax planning, long-term care insurance, estate planning, and even choosing the right retirement home options.
The diversity of voices makes this book stand out—it’s like having a panel of top advisors in one place, each giving you their best advice. What’s great is that the information is both practical and easy to follow, so whether you’re a professional in the industry or a DIY retiree, you’ll find plenty to take away.
This book doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into the topics that matter most for retirement. It’s a refreshing, well-rounded resource that goes beyond financial advice to help readers think about the full picture of retirement. Truly a must-read for anyone planning for this next chapter in life.
The diversity of voices makes this book stand out—it’s like having a panel of top advisors in one place, each giving you their best advice. What’s great is that the information is both practical and easy to follow, so whether you’re a professional in the industry or a DIY retiree, you’ll find plenty to take away.
This book doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into the topics that matter most for retirement. It’s a refreshing, well-rounded resource that goes beyond financial advice to help readers think about the full picture of retirement. Truly a must-read for anyone planning for this next chapter in life.
January 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Christine is one of the brightest minds in the retirement planning space. In her new book, she curates a diverse group of subject matter experts to help prepare folks for navigating retirement. While there is some pie charts and math, what I love about her work is how much of a focus she brings to the non-financial, qualitative aspects of a major life transition. Bravo!
Christine is one of the brightest minds in the retirement planning space. In her new book, she curates a diverse group of subject matter experts to help prepare folks for navigating retirement. While there is some pie charts and math, what I love about her work is how much of a focus she brings to the non-financial, qualitative aspects of a major life transition. Bravo!
August 6, 2024
Christine Benz's "How to Retire" offers a comprehensive look at the multifaceted aspects of retirement planning through interviews with 20 thought leaders in the field. This anthology-style approach provides readers with a wide array of expert insights, covering everything from financial strategies to quality-of-life considerations.
The book's structure, featuring 20 chapters each dedicated to a different expert, allows for a broad exploration of retirement topics. While this format provides diverse perspectives, it may leave some readers wanting more depth in certain areas and less in others. The financial aspects of retirement are particularly well-covered, with in-depth discussions on retirement income styles, spending changes, and portfolio management.
Benz doesn't neglect the non-financial aspects of retirement, touching on subjects like optimizing happiness, nurturing relationships, and living without regrets. However, these "softer" topics receive less attention compared to the financial planning elements, which might disappoint readers seeking a more balanced approach.
One of the book's strengths is its practical focus, with each chapter concluding with valuable "takeaways" that summarize key points. These summaries serve as excellent quick-reference guides for readers looking to revisit specific advice.
While some chapters can be slow-paced and dry due to the nature of the subject matter, the variety of topics covered—from visualizing retirement lifestyle to maximizing social security and managing health concerns—keeps the overall reading experience engaging.
This book is recommended for individuals seeking a well-rounded understanding of retirement planning, particularly those interested in the financial aspects of this life transition. The expert insights and practical takeaways make it a worthwhile read for anyone looking to approach retirement with confidence and wisdom.
A big thank you to Harriman House and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book's structure, featuring 20 chapters each dedicated to a different expert, allows for a broad exploration of retirement topics. While this format provides diverse perspectives, it may leave some readers wanting more depth in certain areas and less in others. The financial aspects of retirement are particularly well-covered, with in-depth discussions on retirement income styles, spending changes, and portfolio management.
Benz doesn't neglect the non-financial aspects of retirement, touching on subjects like optimizing happiness, nurturing relationships, and living without regrets. However, these "softer" topics receive less attention compared to the financial planning elements, which might disappoint readers seeking a more balanced approach.
One of the book's strengths is its practical focus, with each chapter concluding with valuable "takeaways" that summarize key points. These summaries serve as excellent quick-reference guides for readers looking to revisit specific advice.
While some chapters can be slow-paced and dry due to the nature of the subject matter, the variety of topics covered—from visualizing retirement lifestyle to maximizing social security and managing health concerns—keeps the overall reading experience engaging.
This book is recommended for individuals seeking a well-rounded understanding of retirement planning, particularly those interested in the financial aspects of this life transition. The expert insights and practical takeaways make it a worthwhile read for anyone looking to approach retirement with confidence and wisdom.
A big thank you to Harriman House and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2025
Wow, I was not expecting to like this book so much. The format of Benz interviewing 20 experts on different aspects of retirement was genuinely engaging and fun; it felt like a "best of" episode of a great podcast. It was refreshing to see so much data-backed advice around long-term care insurance, medical insurance, social security, and just overall retirement satisfaction. She's also willing to quote interviewees who have competing views on controversial subjects like annuities, and I appreciated the nuance rather than the certainty that you often see in books like this.
I also loved that she directly attacks difficult subjects like concerns for women who might outlive their partners, preparing for both physical and cognitive decline, and the legal frameworks that surround end-of-life concerns. I guess "How to Retire" is more uplifting than "How to Plan to Die", but that really is a large component of the book.
Lastly, while a good chunk of the book addresses financial and legal concerns, she doesn't short-change issues like finding purpose, building relationships, and simply filling the time in retirement.
I also loved that she directly attacks difficult subjects like concerns for women who might outlive their partners, preparing for both physical and cognitive decline, and the legal frameworks that surround end-of-life concerns. I guess "How to Retire" is more uplifting than "How to Plan to Die", but that really is a large component of the book.
Lastly, while a good chunk of the book addresses financial and legal concerns, she doesn't short-change issues like finding purpose, building relationships, and simply filling the time in retirement.
April 8, 2025
Ok, sure, it might seem like I’m a little young to be thinking about retirement already, but I am nothing if not a planner. And with the international development job market decimated, it seems like I should at least know my options…
This is a short read with a conversational tone. In some chapters I felt like they were assuming too much baseline knowledge on my part, but overall I learned a lot and gave me plenty to think about. Worth reading if retirement is in your future in the next 10-15 years (or less).
This is a short read with a conversational tone. In some chapters I felt like they were assuming too much baseline knowledge on my part, but overall I learned a lot and gave me plenty to think about. Worth reading if retirement is in your future in the next 10-15 years (or less).
June 25, 2025
A very basic, yet interesting, view into 20 different perspectives related to retirement. Interesting to see what one ‘expert’ believes fully, the next does not. For some, the financial aspect of retirement is paramount, while to others it is social relationships or purpose. A good reminder that everyone’s retirement journey is different.
The one negative I would point to is that the financial chapters didn’t seem to speak to the ‘average’ person with modest means, but instead to the more privileged. It is possible I read into something that wasn’t there.
The one negative I would point to is that the financial chapters didn’t seem to speak to the ‘average’ person with modest means, but instead to the more privileged. It is possible I read into something that wasn’t there.
January 17, 2025
This book is obviously kind of niche - it’s aimed at people who are approaching retirement or early retirement who have a fair amount of financial acumen.
But I liked the format - each chapter was set up as a conversation with a different retirement expert with a summary of takeaways at the end. It is focused on both financial and non-financial aspects of retirement, and it doesn’t prescribe any one course. It is informative without getting too wonky. (a feat for a book with multiple chapters on taxes!)
It’s a good thought provoking look at the options and considerations around retirement approaches. Highly recommend.
But I liked the format - each chapter was set up as a conversation with a different retirement expert with a summary of takeaways at the end. It is focused on both financial and non-financial aspects of retirement, and it doesn’t prescribe any one course. It is informative without getting too wonky. (a feat for a book with multiple chapters on taxes!)
It’s a good thought provoking look at the options and considerations around retirement approaches. Highly recommend.
November 20, 2024
A great informative, easy to follow insight from lots of folks that are experts in their field (finance and retirement). My biggest take away moment is how it tells us to not hang on for the weekend during our transition to retirement but rather do things on a week night, so your life isn’t hanging on for the weekend. I loved this idea, so many hours (evenings) as we think we can’t go out on a school night.
Having said that, the majority of the book is completely skewed to American information and would not be relevant in any other country.
Having said that, the majority of the book is completely skewed to American information and would not be relevant in any other country.
November 5, 2025
A great book for anyone who is within 10 years of retirement.
March 20, 2025
An interesting and provocative look at various aspects
of the retirement equation! There is not only one correct answer. Contributions from many highly qualified individuals! Worth a look!
of the retirement equation! There is not only one correct answer. Contributions from many highly qualified individuals! Worth a look!
August 23, 2025
Highly practical
Highly practical. Not timely for me personally, but good to think about things we’ll likely encounter as our parents age.
Highly practical. Not timely for me personally, but good to think about things we’ll likely encounter as our parents age.
August 11, 2025
This is far and away the best book I've ever read on the subject of "designing your retirement". It treats retirement as a personal redesign project, rather than a one-time math problem. If you are in 50s, I'd strongly recommend that you read this.
April 29, 2025
I picked it on an impulse as I found it curious to have a book on such a topic. Add to it, the idea that you interview a few experts in the area. However, I found the book super boring and a lot of the lingo used and the discussions are US centric. If they wanted it to be global, the author should have put more effort into making it generic for the world. I’m very surprised they are just selling the same book in the Indian subcontinent.
The US specific lingo notwithstanding if one can be patient about grasping the concepts, there are quite a few interesting perspectives brought up. Some chapters are worth going back for.
The US specific lingo notwithstanding if one can be patient about grasping the concepts, there are quite a few interesting perspectives brought up. Some chapters are worth going back for.
April 21, 2025
Heard a lot of good things about this book but wasn’t overly impressed. Maybe if I was 50 and hadn’t given retirement a great deal of thought yet, I’d have appreciated it more. But as someone who’s gone through extensive financial and tax planning for retirement already, it didn’t offer much to me.
August 26, 2025
Christine Benz’s How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement is a standout resource for anyone planning their transition into retirement. As Morningstar’s director of personal finance and a recognized voice in retirement planning, Benz brings both authority and approachability to this indispensable guide. This book both broadened and deepened my view of what it really means to be financially—and personally—ready to retire, and I’m very glad I read it.
Benz structures the book around 20 key lessons, each focused on crucial aspects of retirement. Her approach is refreshingly comprehensive: she goes far beyond the technical elements like withdrawal rates, Social Security, and tax strategies, exploring the deeply personal and non-financial dimensions of retirement.
Topics include:
Visualizing your in-retirement lifestyle
Laying financial groundwork and nurturing relationships
Social Security claiming strategies and spending rules like the 4% rule
Health insurance (Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage), IRMAA, and long-term care planning
Housing choices, estate planning, and tax efficiency
Purpose, happiness, and maintaining healthy habits
Each lesson concludes with Benz's clear takeaways and offers resources and references for deeper exploration, which is especially helpful for readers who want to take action or dive into certain chapters.
The book includes the insights from 20 top retirement experts—one per lesson. She draws on interviews with thought leaders such as:
Jonathan Clements (personal finance columnist, foreword contributor)
Dr. Jordan Grumet (hospice doctor and author)
Jamie Hopkins (retirement planning specialist)
Michael Finke (professor of wealth management)
Carolyn McClanahan (healthcare and financial planning expert)
Laura Carstensen (longevity researcher)
These expert voices create a conversation, sometimes even disagreements, which adds depth and nuance to the material. Benz herself is also interviewed for a chapter, making the process both collaborative and introspective.
What sets this book apart is its actionable nature: every chapter ends with curated resources—articles, podcasts, tools, and original research—for readers to consult if they wish to explore a topic further. This feature makes it not just a one-time read, but an excellent long-term reference.
How to Retire surprised me. While I expected a robust investing guide, Benz gave me far more: tools to shape a purposeful, well-rounded retirement, attention to the vital “soft” side of life after work, and a compelling range of expert opinions. The book is exceptionally well-organized, deeply practical, and always inviting for further self-study. I highly recommend it to anyone within even a decade of retirement—or just hoping to retire smarter.
Benz structures the book around 20 key lessons, each focused on crucial aspects of retirement. Her approach is refreshingly comprehensive: she goes far beyond the technical elements like withdrawal rates, Social Security, and tax strategies, exploring the deeply personal and non-financial dimensions of retirement.
Topics include:
Visualizing your in-retirement lifestyle
Laying financial groundwork and nurturing relationships
Social Security claiming strategies and spending rules like the 4% rule
Health insurance (Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage), IRMAA, and long-term care planning
Housing choices, estate planning, and tax efficiency
Purpose, happiness, and maintaining healthy habits
Each lesson concludes with Benz's clear takeaways and offers resources and references for deeper exploration, which is especially helpful for readers who want to take action or dive into certain chapters.
The book includes the insights from 20 top retirement experts—one per lesson. She draws on interviews with thought leaders such as:
Jonathan Clements (personal finance columnist, foreword contributor)
Dr. Jordan Grumet (hospice doctor and author)
Jamie Hopkins (retirement planning specialist)
Michael Finke (professor of wealth management)
Carolyn McClanahan (healthcare and financial planning expert)
Laura Carstensen (longevity researcher)
These expert voices create a conversation, sometimes even disagreements, which adds depth and nuance to the material. Benz herself is also interviewed for a chapter, making the process both collaborative and introspective.
What sets this book apart is its actionable nature: every chapter ends with curated resources—articles, podcasts, tools, and original research—for readers to consult if they wish to explore a topic further. This feature makes it not just a one-time read, but an excellent long-term reference.
How to Retire surprised me. While I expected a robust investing guide, Benz gave me far more: tools to shape a purposeful, well-rounded retirement, attention to the vital “soft” side of life after work, and a compelling range of expert opinions. The book is exceptionally well-organized, deeply practical, and always inviting for further self-study. I highly recommend it to anyone within even a decade of retirement—or just hoping to retire smarter.
March 19, 2025
[In case anyone sees this who knows me and knows I don't have a kindle, I actually read the paperback, but goodreads isn't offering that as an option, and i'm too lazy to try to start it]
20 fairly short chapters on various aspects of retirement prep, each consisting of an interview by author with an expert on that subject--majority financial (how to maximize social security; tax-smart ways to spend your nest egg; purportedly superior [to classic "4% rule"] methods of figuring out how much you can afford to spend each year) but some more psychosocial [e.g., finding purpose in your days as a retiree]
It seemed realistic (and complicated, to say the least) in that most of the experts acknowledge that best approach to, say, whether to annuitize some of your savings or put property in a trust or buy long-term care insurance "depends" on specifics of your situation, but at least they go on to speak a little about factors to consider.
I'd love to get a note from God (signed manually, not with an autopen) saying how long I'm going to live, how long my wife will live, and with what health conditions for how long. Then I could ignore lots of these brain-cramping details, do the math based on range of reasonable estimates for investment returns and inflation, and get back to discovering new puzzle games on the internet. But assuming that's not forthcoming, this book was useful.
One quibble -- perhaps this is a fair assumption about who's reading this particular book and a reflection of who are the clients of the financial planning types she interviewed, but as a general statement about retirement planning..........it's heavily focused on people who are at least somewhat well off. The chapter about getting comfortable with spending, and what a copout it would be to underspend and force your heirs to figure out what to do with a huge pile of cash, etc. seemed particularly tone-deaf in that regard. From the research I've seen on adequacy of average American's retirement savings, I'd say there is a very sizable percentage for whom inadvertently leaving too much unspent is a remote consideration.
20 fairly short chapters on various aspects of retirement prep, each consisting of an interview by author with an expert on that subject--majority financial (how to maximize social security; tax-smart ways to spend your nest egg; purportedly superior [to classic "4% rule"] methods of figuring out how much you can afford to spend each year) but some more psychosocial [e.g., finding purpose in your days as a retiree]
It seemed realistic (and complicated, to say the least) in that most of the experts acknowledge that best approach to, say, whether to annuitize some of your savings or put property in a trust or buy long-term care insurance "depends" on specifics of your situation, but at least they go on to speak a little about factors to consider.
I'd love to get a note from God (signed manually, not with an autopen) saying how long I'm going to live, how long my wife will live, and with what health conditions for how long. Then I could ignore lots of these brain-cramping details, do the math based on range of reasonable estimates for investment returns and inflation, and get back to discovering new puzzle games on the internet. But assuming that's not forthcoming, this book was useful.
One quibble -- perhaps this is a fair assumption about who's reading this particular book and a reflection of who are the clients of the financial planning types she interviewed, but as a general statement about retirement planning..........it's heavily focused on people who are at least somewhat well off. The chapter about getting comfortable with spending, and what a copout it would be to underspend and force your heirs to figure out what to do with a huge pile of cash, etc. seemed particularly tone-deaf in that regard. From the research I've seen on adequacy of average American's retirement savings, I'd say there is a very sizable percentage for whom inadvertently leaving too much unspent is a remote consideration.
August 26, 2025
As with most retirement books, this one is 95% about finances. I was hoping there would be more information on healthcare, housing, activities, etc, the "softer" side of retirement. Those were covered, but more from a financial view. I don't like the Q/A format which this is in, and I tended to skim over the nitty-gritty portfolio strategies after many chapters on those. Really, if someone is getting into detailed procedures, they probably already have an advisor and wills/trusts set up already.
A couple quibbles with the information presented--this is really aimed for white collar workers. A few comments such as, "well, if you need the money and have to file SS early, then there's no option, but..." My biggest issue was the continued mention of getting a part time job "to keep you active" and bring in additional money. Very very few people can find a fulfilling part-time job at any time in their life, let alone after 65. Add in physical demands and pay that makes it worthwhile limits any options further. I'd venture to say that if you buy a car to go to your retirement job, that right there might erase all your earnings. And isn't the whole point of retirement to explore your interests, not locking yourself back into a 20-25 hour work schedule?
I did research some things such as the RMD of retirement accounts changing from 73 to 75. One expert had a great idea, saying that if you haven't claimed SS when you're 70 why doesn't SS just do it for you? The idea of putting a huge amount of money in a travel "bucket" made sense too, since most travel in early retirement...and that was interesting info about the disappointments of filling bucket list travel goals.
A couple quibbles with the information presented--this is really aimed for white collar workers. A few comments such as, "well, if you need the money and have to file SS early, then there's no option, but..." My biggest issue was the continued mention of getting a part time job "to keep you active" and bring in additional money. Very very few people can find a fulfilling part-time job at any time in their life, let alone after 65. Add in physical demands and pay that makes it worthwhile limits any options further. I'd venture to say that if you buy a car to go to your retirement job, that right there might erase all your earnings. And isn't the whole point of retirement to explore your interests, not locking yourself back into a 20-25 hour work schedule?
I did research some things such as the RMD of retirement accounts changing from 73 to 75. One expert had a great idea, saying that if you haven't claimed SS when you're 70 why doesn't SS just do it for you? The idea of putting a huge amount of money in a travel "bucket" made sense too, since most travel in early retirement...and that was interesting info about the disappointments of filling bucket list travel goals.
September 28, 2024
I met the author, Christine Benz, when we both worked at Morningstar and was struck by her poise, understated confidence, and popularity among our readers. However, financial topics were never my cup of tea, so I read only a few of her pieces. After a few years, I left Morningstar and returned to my previous company, Encyclopaedia Britannica. A couple of weeks ago, I saw the announcement of a book by Christine, and this time, the topic and the time were just right. I am at that point where I have to think about retirement seriously, and due to my lack of interest in financial matters, I realized I am totally unprepared. So, I decided to learn from one of the best experts on retirement.
The book is divided into 20 chapters, each covering some essential aspects of this challenging topic. In each chapter, Christine interviews an expert in that area and then adds her comments. What surprised me was that many chapters were not about the financial aspects of retirement. I was naively expecting a book about the economic dimension of retirement, but finance is just a tiny part of the puzzle. There are huge emotional issues, health and death considerations, and questions about caregivers. In other words, this is a very complex phase of our lives that happens suddenly. Without adequate preparation, it can only lead to disappointments and unpleasant surprises.
I am extremely happy I picked up this book and feel a little more prepared. More importantly, now I know what I don't know and can learn more. If you are contemplating retirement, especially in the US, I highly recommend this book. If you are like me, you will learn something new or discover a new perspective in almost every chapter.
The book is divided into 20 chapters, each covering some essential aspects of this challenging topic. In each chapter, Christine interviews an expert in that area and then adds her comments. What surprised me was that many chapters were not about the financial aspects of retirement. I was naively expecting a book about the economic dimension of retirement, but finance is just a tiny part of the puzzle. There are huge emotional issues, health and death considerations, and questions about caregivers. In other words, this is a very complex phase of our lives that happens suddenly. Without adequate preparation, it can only lead to disappointments and unpleasant surprises.
I am extremely happy I picked up this book and feel a little more prepared. More importantly, now I know what I don't know and can learn more. If you are contemplating retirement, especially in the US, I highly recommend this book. If you are like me, you will learn something new or discover a new perspective in almost every chapter.
February 28, 2025
Most retirement-oriented books, as well as the VAST majority of finance/investment books, are so basic that they offer little new and virtually nothing profound. Christine Benz, instead of pontificating her opinions, provides a series of interviews with true experts in different fields. I found the format and information valuable and, within reason, full of interesting perspectives.
I would give this book five stars except for some conflicting and potentially confusing information. Ex: While one "expert" suggests very little or no stock holdings for older retirees, another goes virtually the opposite direction and notes he continues to hold 80% stocks in retirement. I think she could have picked a side, so to speak, because novices may come away confused.
What works very well here is the author's clear humanity/caring. Having seen her numerous times on Morningstar videos, this is what she emanates. She's not showing off her "wisdom"; she's simply providing a lot of great information from experts in their respective fields followed by her own summary/thoughts after each topic.
As someone who's successfully lived off their portfolio since retiring long ago at 53, I think there is a lot of wisdom to glean from this book and I highly recommend it.
I would give this book five stars except for some conflicting and potentially confusing information. Ex: While one "expert" suggests very little or no stock holdings for older retirees, another goes virtually the opposite direction and notes he continues to hold 80% stocks in retirement. I think she could have picked a side, so to speak, because novices may come away confused.
What works very well here is the author's clear humanity/caring. Having seen her numerous times on Morningstar videos, this is what she emanates. She's not showing off her "wisdom"; she's simply providing a lot of great information from experts in their respective fields followed by her own summary/thoughts after each topic.
As someone who's successfully lived off their portfolio since retiring long ago at 53, I think there is a lot of wisdom to glean from this book and I highly recommend it.
April 27, 2025
"How to Retire" is the most valuable retirement book I have read (and I have read quite a few). I am grateful to the author for covering such a broad range of useful topics on retirement and for presenting the information in an easy-to-understand conversation with subject-matter experts.
This book answered many questions that have been rattling around in my mind about different aspects of retirement, both financial and non-financial. The author Christine Benz does a wonderful job in interviewing 20 experts on different topics regarding retirement. The text is very conversational and easy to read and understand. Her thoughtful questions included many I might have asked plus other important questions that I wished I had thought of. There is clarification on many complex topics as well as different points of views on other topics such as using annuities for guaranteed income. The information is well-explained, and in some cases, you just need to form your own opinions based on the information presented. Some of the information provided I found useful in the creation of a roadmap for asset allocation to support cash flows in retirement. There was lots of useful discussion on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) that helped clarify strategies for me as well.
This book answered many questions that have been rattling around in my mind about different aspects of retirement, both financial and non-financial. The author Christine Benz does a wonderful job in interviewing 20 experts on different topics regarding retirement. The text is very conversational and easy to read and understand. Her thoughtful questions included many I might have asked plus other important questions that I wished I had thought of. There is clarification on many complex topics as well as different points of views on other topics such as using annuities for guaranteed income. The information is well-explained, and in some cases, you just need to form your own opinions based on the information presented. Some of the information provided I found useful in the creation of a roadmap for asset allocation to support cash flows in retirement. There was lots of useful discussion on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) that helped clarify strategies for me as well.
February 9, 2025
Professional career coach review
Reviewed by Marty Speight
My coaching work for Darden’s ACS often focuses on helping late career alumni find meaningful work in retirement, and I’ve come to understand being well-informed in all areas of the retirement puzzle truly helps in tackling that topic. For anyone in mid-to-late career contemplating the various notions of “retirement,” I highly recommend How to Retire by Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar.
The book offers a wealth of insights through twenty interviews with leading experts on a wide range of retirement topics—including investing/finances, housing, eldercare, legacy planning, and most importantly, how to spend your time. Benz’s interviews highlight the interconnected nature of these areas, providing practical advice, fresh perspectives and many additional resources for diving deeper in each topic area.
For MBA alumni who thrive on informed decision-making, this book is an invaluable resource for building peace of mind that comes from understanding and addressing the full spectrum of retirement considerations.
Reviewed by Marty Speight
My coaching work for Darden’s ACS often focuses on helping late career alumni find meaningful work in retirement, and I’ve come to understand being well-informed in all areas of the retirement puzzle truly helps in tackling that topic. For anyone in mid-to-late career contemplating the various notions of “retirement,” I highly recommend How to Retire by Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar.
The book offers a wealth of insights through twenty interviews with leading experts on a wide range of retirement topics—including investing/finances, housing, eldercare, legacy planning, and most importantly, how to spend your time. Benz’s interviews highlight the interconnected nature of these areas, providing practical advice, fresh perspectives and many additional resources for diving deeper in each topic area.
For MBA alumni who thrive on informed decision-making, this book is an invaluable resource for building peace of mind that comes from understanding and addressing the full spectrum of retirement considerations.
August 7, 2025
This book is the type of book that you need to own. You need to read. And you need to gift (not your copy...you should keep this book and reread chapters as needed as you journey towards retirement). I knew it was a 5-star book early on...and this helped me think about things I had not considered yet, or even things I had in a new light. It was so enjoyable that I started a journal writing down the points I didn't want to forget, and I already bought two copies to gift to others. I have always been interested in retirement, but I think it is one of those things people do not talk about and don't often get enough guidance on. This book breaks down 20 chapters so you can read right now the ones you need...and skim the ones that are too far ahead for you. The takeaways at the end of each chapter also further cement this book as my all-time favorite on the subject matter. A good friend gifted it to me, and I cannot wait to sit with him and discuss his thoughts. I only speak on retirement with 5 friends as it can be a sensitive issue for so many, but this helps educate on that tough topic!
May 13, 2025
So I read a lot about saving for retirement and I thought that this book which is a collection of short interviews with experts in the retirement field, many that I follow, would be interesting but I wasn’t expecting any “big” takeaways, but I was surprised how many little nuggets that I took away from this book. Christine Benz did a great job of summarizing the salient points and also taking all these experts, with differing views and who sometimes get father down into the weeds than necessary for the average investor, and bringing them all together with an actionable plan at a level anyone can implement. This covers the total gamut of retirement, from wellbeing, purpose, finances and end of life preparation. Also, there are references after every chapter if you want to learn more about a topic. This was such a good book, that after reading the copy from the library, I went out and bought a copy. Can’t recommend this book enough. It is a keeper.
March 2, 2025
The 20 lessons cover a variety of parts of retirement, including planning for retirement, the last phases into retirement, living in retirement, how to be happy in retirement, aging and other topics. The topics should help a person see that accumulation and spending in retirement are only two of several factors a persons needs to address in retirement. Some of the factors can be addressed by advisors, but some will require self reflection.
Benz has a regular podcast called the Long View and the chapters are transcripts of the podcasts. If you listen to the podcasts while walk, commutting or other activities, there are fewer opportunities to pause and ponder the points of a topic being discussed. This is where the book has an advantage. You can take a note, reflect or have a discussion with a spouse or advisor with the book as the reference.
Benz has a regular podcast called the Long View and the chapters are transcripts of the podcasts. If you listen to the podcasts while walk, commutting or other activities, there are fewer opportunities to pause and ponder the points of a topic being discussed. This is where the book has an advantage. You can take a note, reflect or have a discussion with a spouse or advisor with the book as the reference.
October 9, 2024
Very well structured and highly readable. Each of the twenty lessons is set up as a conversation between Christine Benz and a leading expert in a distinct aspect of retirement. Each lesson finishes with a summary of 'key take-aways' and a 'related resources' section (featuring additional links to podcasts, pdfs etc. with further detailed information). Although some of the finance bits are quite US-specific (US Social Security, US tax etc.), the general principles and 'behavioural' suggestions on how to ensure a happy retirement make this book well-worth reading for those considering retirement in the next few years. Special thank you to Harriman House & NetGalley for a no obligation digital advance review copy.
January 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️, rounded up. I've read lots of retirement books over the years and none have covered the broad range of topics in the depth and breadth that this book does. Every chapter contains at least one valuable nugget. While I would've like to see a few more chapters devoted to the emotional side of retiring, thus the 1/2 star penalty, that's not something anyone who isn't already retired ever thinks about in very much detail.
I look forward to seeing Ms Benz's follow-on book on retirement, because there's a lot more to say about this topic. I hope she will write it post her own retirement, featuring lots of interviews with fellow already-retired experts discussing their now-lived experiences.
I look forward to seeing Ms Benz's follow-on book on retirement, because there's a lot more to say about this topic. I hope she will write it post her own retirement, featuring lots of interviews with fellow already-retired experts discussing their now-lived experiences.
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