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I am retiring in the next 12 months

Use this checklist

By Wouter Fourie
CEO of Ascor® Independent Wealth Managers and co-author of The Ultimate guide to Retirement in South Africa

Proper preparation can make your retirement planning discussion more effective and stress-free.

A structured approach ensures a smooth retirement planning process.

This article follows up on my previous piece on Moneyweb, published on 9 January 2025, titled I am retiring in the next 12 months: What should I do?

I received many questions from readers, one of the most frequent being how to prepare for a meeting with a certified financial planner (CFP) to discuss my retirement planning.

To assist you, I’ve prepared a user-friendly checklist in table format. This checklist ensures you’re well-prepared for your first meeting with an independent certified financial planner (CFP).

Category	Documents/information to bring	Notes
Personal information	Valid ID or passport	Ensure it is not expired.
	Proof of residence	A recent utility bill or bank statement not older than 3 months.
	Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)	To reflect marital status accurately.
	Names and ages of dependents	For financial planning purposes.
Income information	Recent payslips (if employed)	At least 3 months’ worth of payslips.
	Rental income statements (if applicable)	Include lease agreements, if available.
	Investment income reports	Dividends, interest statements, or other income sources.
Expenses and liabilities	Monthly expense breakdown or budget	Categorize fixed and discretionary expenses.
	Mortgage statements	Include outstanding balance and monthly payment amount.
	Credit card statements	Provide the most recent statements.
	Loan agreements (e.g., personal, vehicle, student loans)	Include outstanding balances and payment schedules.
Assets and investments	Recent bank statements (all accounts)	Include savings, checking, and fixed deposits.
	Pension/provident fund statements	Get the latest benefit statement from your employer.
	Retirement annuity and investment statements	Ensure all policies and investments are accounted for.
	Property valuations	Include rental properties, if applicable.
	Unit trust and/or direct share portfolio fund statements	Include statements showing the current value.
Insurance policies	Life insurance policy documents	Include all active policies.
	Medical aid details	Provide plan name and coverage information.
	Disability insurance or long-term care policy	Provide details on terms and coverage.
Estate planning	The latest version of your will	Ensure it reflects your current wishes.
	Trust deeds (if applicable)	Include all active trusts.
	Power of attorney or similar legal documents	Necessary for healthcare or financial decisions.
Tax documentation	Recent tax returns (last 2 years)	For tax planning purposes.
	Latest tax assessment from Sars	Ensure you have all relevant tax documents.
Retirement planning	Estimated retirement budget	Include projected expenses.
	Desired retirement age and lifestyle goals	Consider lifestyle, hobbies, and travel plans.
	Statements from any retirement savings accounts	Pension, provident, or retirement annuities.
Miscellaneous	Prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements (if applicable)	If applicable.
	Business financial statements and valuations (if self-employed)	For clients who own businesses or partnerships.

Preparation tips

Organise all documents in a labelled folder. Digital copies can be sent in advance if preferred.
List any questions or concerns about retirement planning to help guide the meeting effectively.
Consider purchasing the comprehensive guide on retirement, The Ultimate Guide to Retirement in South Africa (now in its third edition)
Visit the website www.retirementplanning.co.za for information on where to purchase the book and to get insights into articles written by Bruce Cameron, Wouter Fourie, and Dr Eriaan Oelofse.

This article first appeared on moneyweb.co.za at https://www.moneyweb.co.za/financial-advisor-views/i-am-retiring-in-the-next-12-months-use-this-checklist/

Contact Ascor®Independent Wealth Managers for retirement planning advice.

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https://www.moneyweb.co.za/financial-advisor-views/i-am-retiring-in-the-next-12-months-what-should-i-do/

Share this post

I am retiring in the next 12 months

Use this checklist

By Wouter Fourie CEO of Ascor® Independent Wealth Managers and co-author of The Ultimate guide to Retirement in South Africa

Proper preparation can make your retirement planning discussion more effective and stress-free.

A structured approach ensures a smooth retirement planning process.

This article follows up on my previous piece on Moneyweb, published on 9 January 2025, titled I am retiring in the next 12 months: What should I do?

I received many questions from readers, one of the most frequent being how to prepare for a meeting with a certified financial planner (CFP) to discuss my retirement planning.

To assist you, I’ve prepared a user-friendly checklist in table format. This checklist ensures you’re well-prepared for your first meeting with an independent certified financial planner (CFP).

Category

Documents/information to bring

Notes

Personal information

Valid ID or passport

Ensure it is not expired.

Proof of residence

A recent utility bill or bank statement not older than 3 months.

Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)

To reflect marital status accurately.

Names and ages of dependents

For financial planning purposes.

Income information

Recent payslips (if employed)

At least 3 months’ worth of payslips.

Rental income statements (if applicable)

Include lease agreements, if available.

Investment income reports

Dividends, interest statements, or other income sources.

Expenses and liabilities

Monthly expense breakdown or budget

Categorize fixed and discretionary expenses.

Mortgage statements

Include outstanding balance and monthly payment amount.

Credit card statements

Provide the most recent statements.

Loan agreements (e.g., personal, vehicle, student loans)

Include outstanding balances and payment schedules.

Assets and investments

Recent bank statements (all accounts)

Include savings, checking, and fixed deposits.

Pension/provident fund statements

Get the latest benefit statement from your employer.

Retirement annuity and investment statements

Ensure all policies and investments are accounted for.

Property valuations

Include rental properties, if applicable.

Unit trust and/or direct share portfolio fund statements

Include statements showing the current value.

Insurance policies

Life insurance policy documents

Include all active policies.

Medical aid details

Provide plan name and coverage information.

Disability insurance or long-term care policy

Provide details on terms and coverage.

Estate planning

The latest version of your will

Ensure it reflects your current wishes.

Trust deeds (if applicable)

Include all active trusts.

Power of attorney or similar legal documents

Necessary for healthcare or financial decisions.

Tax documentation

Recent tax returns (last 2 years)

For tax planning purposes.

Latest tax assessment from Sars

Ensure you have all relevant tax documents.

Retirement planning

Estimated retirement budget

Include projected expenses.

Desired retirement age and lifestyle goals

Consider lifestyle, hobbies, and travel plans.

Statements from any retirement savings accounts

Pension, provident, or retirement annuities.

Miscellaneous

Prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements (if applicable)

If applicable.

Business financial statements and valuations (if self-employed)

For clients who own businesses or partnerships.

Preparation tips

Organise all documents in a labelled folder. Digital copies can be sent in advance if preferred.

By Wouter Fourie
CEO of Ascor® Independent Wealth Managers and co-author of The Ultimate guide to Retirement in South Africa