Is a “Retirement Gap Year” a Good Idea?
We often hear about gap years for students — those intentional pauses between high school and college when young adults take time to grow, explore, and figure out what comes next. But what if that idea wasn’t just for 18-year-olds? What if you took a gap year before retirement?
The leap into retirement is bigger than you think
Think back to that transition from high school to college. It wasn’t just about switching classrooms. You were suddenly responsible for your schedule, your meals, and your time, while juggling a brand-new academic and social landscape. Retirement brings a similar kind of shift.
Only this time, it’s not about midterms or roommates. It’s about leaving behind the structure, identity, and routine of a full-time career; going from saving and accumulating to spending and living off your assets; and figuring out how you want to fill it. That transition can be exhilarating, but it’s rarely seamless. And that’s where a “retirement gap year” comes in.
What is a retirement gap year?
A retirement gap year is simply a pause — a time of low (or no) expectations between leaving full-time work and fully settling into your retirement lifestyle. It’s a chance to recalibrate.
Maybe you work part-time. Perhaps you can consult or volunteer. Maybe you travel, rest, or pursue a long-postponed passion project. The key is this: you give yourself breathing room to transition thoughtfully, not abruptly.
Why it might be the smartest part of your retirement plan
Retirement isn’t just a financial milestone. It’s a significant life change. Taking a gap year gives you time to:
Maintain structure without the pressure
Moving from 10+ hours a day of meetings, deadlines, and emails to wide-open days can be jarring. A gap year helps you ease into a new rhythm, giving you a chance to maintain some structure without the full pressure of work.
Explore what fulfills you
You’ve spent decades climbing ladders and delivering results. Now you get to ask: What brings me joy? A gap year creates space to experiment, explore, and dream before you commit to a new routine.
Evaluate your cash flow in real time
There’s a big difference between a spreadsheet and real life. During a gap year, you can observe how your spending changes when you’re not working full time—what you miss, what you don’t, and what it costs to live the life you want.
Align your plan with your values
Retirement isn’t just about not working — it’s about living a purposeful life. A thoughtful transition can help you clarify your goals and assess whether your financial plan is aligned to support them.
At OpenPlan, we believe financial planning is about more than investment returns and tax optimization. It’s about helping you live in line with your values—with the confidence and clarity to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to build.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as individualized advice or a recommendation for any specific product, strategy, or course of action. Brighton Jones, its affiliates, and employees do not provide personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice through this communication. This material is not intended to, and does not, create a fiduciary relationship under ERISA or any other applicable law. For individualized advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult with your adviser.
