Free Guides and Checklists for Retirement Planning

Five free guides covering the decisions most families put off too long. Enter your email and we will send whichever one you need directly to your inbox.

Last updated: June 2026

Free Guides and Checklists for Retirement Planning

Each of these guides covers one of the major decisions in a retirement transition: where to live, how Medicare works, what legal documents you need, how to downsize a family home, and how to make your current home safe enough to stay in. They are free, no purchase required, and no strings attached.


The Complete Senior Living Transition Checklist

Planning a senior living transition means making dozens of decisions across healthcare, finances, legal documents, housing, and logistics, often all at once. This master checklist walks through every major step, from the first family conversation to move-in day.

What is inside:

  • How to approach the initial family conversation and what to agree on first
  • A care needs assessment framework covering daily and instrumental activities
  • Senior housing comparison: all five types with cost ranges
  • Financial planning checklist covering assets, insurance, Medicare, and home equity
  • Legal and estate planning checklist: all 9 critical documents
  • Downsizing, moving coordination, and healthcare transfer checklists
  • A 30-day settling-in checklist for after the move

Free Download: Senior Living Transition Checklist
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Estate Planning Checklist: 10 Documents Every Senior Needs

Most seniors have at least one critical estate planning document missing: a will that has not been updated in years, a power of attorney that does not meet current requirements, or beneficiary designations that no longer reflect their wishes. This checklist shows you what you have, what you are missing, and when to review it.

What is inside:

  • The 5 core legal documents every senior needs
  • Financial and property documents most people overlook
  • A review schedule so your plan stays current after life changes
  • A direct link to vetted estate planning attorneys near you

Free Download: Estate Planning Checklist for Seniors
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Medicare in Plain English: Your Complete Guide

Parts A, B, C, and D, plus Medigap, Medicare Advantage, enrollment windows, and late enrollment penalties, explained clearly without the jargon. This guide gives you everything you need to make confident Medicare decisions before your enrollment window opens.

What is inside:

  • The four parts of Medicare, A, B, C, and D, explained simply
  • Medigap: what it covers and when to buy it
  • Enrollment windows and how to avoid permanent late penalties
  • Medicare vs Medicare Advantage: the honest trade-offs
  • What Medicare does not cover, including the long-term care gap

Free Download: Medicare in Plain English
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Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist

Moving from a family home to a smaller space means making hundreds of decisions about what to keep, donate, sell, or let go. This room-by-room checklist takes the overwhelm out of downsizing with a practical framework for every room in the house.

What is inside:

  • A room-by-room sorting framework for every space in the home
  • The four-category system: Keep, Donate, Sell, Toss
  • Guidance on what to do with furniture, documents, and sentimental items
  • A timeline for starting 3 to 6 months before move day

Free Download: Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist
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Aging-in-Place Home Safety Checklist

Most homes need some changes before they are truly safe for the long term. The question is which ones to fix first. This room-by-room checklist walks through every area of the home so you can spot what needs attention and address it before a fall or injury makes the decision for you.

What is inside:

  • A room-by-room safety assessment covering entryways, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas, bedroom, and stairways
  • The bathroom and stairway fixes that matter most, because those are where most home falls happen
  • A technology and emergency preparedness section
  • A reference guide showing which contractor handles which modification

Free Download: Aging-in-Place Home Safety Checklist
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