If you’ve worked with financial planners or read books about your retirement finances (books like “Die With Zero,” by Bill Perkins that I’ve referenced here before) you’ve likely heard them talk about retirement in three distinct stages:

• The Go-Go Years – when you’re healthy, active, and eager to travel, volunteer, or start that side hustle.
• The Slow-Go Years – when you still enjoy life, but prefer routines, closer-to-home activities, and maybe a nap in the afternoon.
• The No-Go Years – when health and mobility issues begin to narrow your world of choices.

But here’s the thing: you don’t know how long your Go-Go years will last. That’s why it’s so critical to think about and plan for winding down your work in a way that preserves your health, your energy, and your time. Phased retirement gives you that option.

Phased retirement is the intentional slowing down of your work life — reducing hours, taking on fewer responsibilities, or shifting into consulting or freelance roles — before fully exiting the workforce. It allows you to enjoy the flexibility and freedom of retirement while still staying connected, purposeful, and financially supported.

It’s not about quitting early. It’s about living deliberately. It’s about protecting those precious years when you’re still able to explore, try new things, and be present for what matters most.

Many of us have been focused on our career life (and family obligations) for decades. We push off travel, hobbies, relationships, and rest for “someday.”  We dream about open calendars and catching our breath.  Phased retirement helps shift that mindset.

It gives you that breathing room to do what you want to do while you still can. Whether it’s hiking, travel, time with grandchildren, or taking that painting class, guitar lesson or Spanish coaching you’ve always dreamed of. My advice: don’t wait too long!

My wife and I recently met a couple while traveling, and we got to talking about retirement. They had just come off a cruise and after I related the notion of the “go-go” years, they were laughing about a similar saying they heard onboard: “On cruises, there are three kinds of people — the newlyweds, the over-feds, and the nearly deads!” It was funny, yes — but also sobering.

Because let’s face it: we don’t want to wait until we’re in that last group to start living.  So again, don’t wait too long. The Go-Go years won’t last forever — and you deserve to enjoy every moment of them while you can.