5 Signs It’s Time to Retire: Why Health, Time, and Relationships Matter More Than Money
Retirement isn’t just a financial decision it’s a life decision. While having enough money in the bank is essential, financial readiness is only one piece of the puzzle. I want to emphasizes that health, relationships, and the value of time often play a bigger role in determining when it’s the right moment to step away from work. Here are five powerful signs to consider that it may be time to retire.
1. Time Is the Only Non-Renewable Currency
Unlike money, which can be earned, saved, and invested, time is finite. Many people delay retirement waiting for one more bonus, one more milestone, or one more “goalpost.” The danger is that years slip away while opportunities to enjoy family, travel, and personal passions are lost. Its “goalpost planning” always pushing retirement further out and sacrificing your healthiest, most vibrant years. The truth: money has no value if you don’t have time to enjoy it.
2. Your Health Can’t Wait
Work stress, long hours, and burnout take a toll on physical and mental well-being. Too often, retirees step away only to find their health compromised, limiting their ability to enjoy the freedom they’ve earned. Depression, anxiety, and chronic conditions are common among those who put health last. Retire while you’re still strong enough to hike that mountain, take that trip, or simply enjoy a stress-free morning. Health span the years you live in good health is what truly matters, not just lifespan.
3. Relationships Deserve Priority
Spouses, children, friends, and loved ones are the anchors of a happy retirement. Yet too many people sacrifice time with them in the name of career commitments, commutes, and endless to-do lists. Strong, nurturing relationships are proven to increase both happiness and longevity. If your job is preventing you from strengthening these connections, it may be a sign it’s time to retire and reinvest your time where it matters most.
4. Maximizing Health Span vs. Lifespan
The average health span in the U.S. is just 66 years meaning many people develop chronic conditions soon after that age. Working into your late 60s or 70s can rob you of the best years for travel, adventure, and active living. James encourages people to consider retiring earlier to maximize their healthiest years, rather than waiting until age or illness limits their options. Retirement is about quality, not just quantity.
5. Working for Work’s Sake
For many, work becomes part of identity a reason people keep working even after achieving financial independence. But if your career no longer brings joy, fulfillment, or purpose, and instead brings stress and obligation, it may be time to reevaluate. Retirement doesn’t have to mean stopping work completely; it can mean shifting to part-time, volunteering, or pursuing passion projects. The key is to stop running on the hamster wheel just because it’s familiar.
Finding the Balance
Retirement readiness is about more than a dollar figure. Yes, you need financial security, but you also need to ask deeper questions: Am I healthy enough to enjoy my dreams? Am I giving enough to my relationships? Am I valuing my time as much as my money? When the answer to these questions points to life outside of work, it may be time to take the leap.
You should always consult a financial, tax, or legal professional familiar about your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions. This material is intended for educational purposes only. Nothing in this material constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Any mentioned rates of return are historical or hypothetical in nature and are not a guarantee of future returns.
Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Future returns may be lower or higher. Investments involve risk. Investment values will fluctuate with market conditions, and security positions, when sold, may be worth less or more than their original cost.
