Every new year brings its own set of worries, hopes, and unexpected surprises, but 2025 feels like one of those years where everything is shifting all at once. The economy is sending mixed signals, technology is changing faster than ever, and the average retiree, or soon-to-be retiree, has more questions than answers about what the future might hold.

When I talk with friends, neighbors, or readers of this blog, I keep hearing the same anxieties rise to the surface. Sure, we’ve always worried about things like money, health, and how to make retirement meaningful. But in 2025, the conversation feels more urgent, more layered, and sometimes a little more complicated. That doesn’t mean retirement planning has to be frightening or impossible. It just means we need to pay attention to the themes shaping people’s decisions this year and adjust accordingly.

One of the biggest things on people’s minds right now is inflation. It’s been hovering like a dark cloud for years, and while things may not be quite as painful as they were back in 2022 and 2023, prices are still noticeably higher than they used to be. I can’t be the only one who nearly fell over when I saw the cost of fresh produce lately. Retirees know better than anyone that fixed incomes don’t stretch quite as far when prices keep climbing. I’ve had more conversations this year with people looking for ways to inflation-proof their retirement savings than ever before. That might mean shifting part of their portfolio into Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), dividend-paying stocks, or real estate investments that historically hold their value when prices rise. Others are choosing more practical solutions, like cutting back on unnecessary expenses, cooking more at home, or picking up small part-time work.

Making ends meet is the goal – what is the solution?

Healthcare is another topic that refuses to leave the retirement planning stage. It’s the great unknown that looms in the background of every financial plan. I know plenty of people who are healthy now but still worry about what happens if, in ten or twenty years, they need expensive long-term care or sudden surgery. In 2025, the rise of telehealth, wearable devices that monitor our vital signs, and artificial intelligence in medicine are reshaping the way healthcare looks. That sounds great, but it also raises some scary questions about cost and coverage.

Will Medicare keep up with the pace of innovation? Will new treatments be affordable? Many retirees I’ve spoken with are building a healthcare cushion into their budgets, treating it like its own category of retirement savings. It’s not exactly fun to think about, but it’s a lot less stressful than pretending the problem doesn’t exist.

Another major issue weighing heavily this year is longevity. People are living longer than ever, and while that’s something to celebrate, it also means your money has to last a lot longer. It’s no longer safe to assume that retirement will last ten or fifteen years. These days, plenty of people expect to live into their nineties, and some even to one hundred or beyond. That changes the way we think about Social Security, savings withdrawals, and even housing choices. I know more retirees who are considering annuities, delaying Social Security until age 70, or creating spending plans that adjust as they get older. Longevity planning isn’t about fear—it’s about flexibility. The good news is, living longer gives us more time to enjoy retirement, try new hobbies, and build deeper connections. The challenge is making sure the money doesn’t run out before the birthdays do.

Is big Tech really the godsend that some are touting?

Technology is both exciting and intimidating for retirees in 2025. On one hand, it’s never been easier to track expenses, automate savings, or consult with a virtual financial advisor. AI-powered tools can crunch numbers in ways that would have taken a human days to calculate. On the other hand, there’s a certain uneasiness about putting too much trust in technology. I’ve heard more than one retiree say, “I don’t want a robot telling me what to do with my life savings.” That’s fair. For me, I see technology as a tool that can make retirement planning easier but shouldn’t replace human judgment or the reassurance of a trusted financial advisor. And yes, I’ll admit, I still write down some of my passwords on a sticky note despite every expert in the world warning me not to. Retirement is personal, and planning should feel that way too.

Interestingly, lifestyle choices are also front and center in 2025 retirement planning conversations. It’s not just about “how much money do I need?” but “what kind of life do I want to live with the money I have?” That’s a healthy shift. Some people are choosing to downsize, move closer to family, or even explore international retirement options where their dollars stretch further. Others are setting aside what I like to call “fun funds”—money earmarked specifically for travel, hobbies, or experiences. I’ve always believed retirement should be about more than paying the bills. It should also be about joy. That means planning not just for emergencies and healthcare, but also for that cooking class you’ve always wanted to take, that dream trip to Italy, or even just spoiling the grandkids once in a while.

Another topic popping up in retirement conversations this year is work—or rather, the new idea of what work looks like in retirement. In the past, retirement meant stopping work altogether. Now, many people are choosing to work part-time, not because they have to, but because they want to. Some are picking up flexible jobs that provide extra income and social interaction. Others are starting small businesses, consulting, or even exploring the gig economy. I know retirees who drive part-time, tutor kids online, or sell crafts they make at home. The extra income helps cushion against inflation, but perhaps more importantly, it gives retirees a sense of purpose and keeps them active. I like to say, “Retirement doesn’t mean you stop working—it means you finally get to work on what you actually enjoy.”

Family is another major consideration shaping retirement planning in 2025. Retirees are thinking more than ever about legacy, not just financially but emotionally. They want to be there for their children and grandchildren, whether that means helping pay for college, babysitting regularly, or simply being part of their lives. At the same time, there’s a recognition that sometimes retirees will need to lean on family, especially as healthcare needs increase. This is leading to more conversations about multigenerational living, estate planning, and making sure family members are on the same page about financial decisions. In my experience, open communication about these topics avoids a lot of heartache later on.

Is it a when – not if – the economy tanks this year?

Of course, the elephant in the room for 2025 is the economy (can you say tariffs?) Markets are unpredictable, interest rates remain a hot topic, and geopolitical events continue to ripple through financial plans whether we like it or not. Retirees are paying close attention to the Federal Reserve, bond yields, and whether the stock market can deliver the returns they’ve come to expect. The old advice of “just stick with the 60/40 portfolio” is being completely revised. Many people are diversifying more than ever—mixing stocks, bonds, real estate, and even alternatives like commodities or precious metals. The theme I see is caution combined with curiosity. Retirees want their money to grow, but they’re not willing to take unnecessary risks.

At the heart of all these conversations is one simple truth: retirement planning in 2025 is less about predicting the future and more about staying adaptable. None of us has a crystal ball. We can’t say for sure what inflation will do, how healthcare will evolve, or what new technology will arrive in the next five years. What we can do is create plans that bend without breaking. That might mean building in buffers, maintaining flexibility in housing choices, or simply being willing to adjust spending as circumstances change.

I like to think of retirement as less of a destination and more of a journey. And like any good journey, there will be surprises along the way. Some will be good, like grandchildren you didn’t expect, hobbies that become passions, or opportunities you never saw coming. Others may be challenges, health setbacks, market downturns, or rising costs. But with thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt, retirement in 2025 can still be everything you’ve hoped for and more.

So, as you think about your own retirement this year, ask yourself: What’s truly on your mind? Is it the fear of outliving your money? The desire to travel more? The question of whether to trust technology with your finances? Or maybe it’s simply how to balance the serious side of retirement planning with the joy of living each day fully. Whatever it is, know that you’re not alone in asking those questions. We’re all figuring it out together, one year and one plan at a time.

And if nothing else, take comfort in this: planning for retirement may never be perfect, but it’s a whole lot better than winging it. Now, excuse me while I go update my budget spreadsheet and sneak in a little extra for that trip I’ve been daydreaming about. After all, what’s retirement planning without a little dreaming?

Don’t wait until it’s too late, get your financial house in order today!

Happy retirement planning!