For many people, retirement isn't something that happens overnight. The five years leading up to retirement are some of the most critical years of your financial life. Decisions made during this period can impact your taxes, investment strategy, healthcare costs, and retirement income for decades to come.

Here are 10 financial moves worth considering as you approach the retirement finish line.

When I was a college professor, I only contributed to the 401(a) — the mandatory defined contribution plan my university offered. It felt like enough. I was saving for retirement, the university was contributing, and I assumed someone would have told me if there was something else I should be doing.

No one told me.

It wasn't until later that I discovered I also had access to a 457(b) and a 403(b) — two additional retirement accounts I could have been maxing out the entire time. I was leaving thousands of dollars in tax savings on the table every year without realizing it.

Is your 2026 retirement plan optimized for the current tax landscape? From "Super Catch-Up" contributions to leveraging Florida's state-tax-free income, here are five high-impact moves every Tampa Bay resident needs to consider this year.

Deciding when to enter the USF DROP program is a high-stakes math problem. Compare the benefits of starting your "paper retirement" now to earn 4% interest versus waiting to build a higher pension base for your life in the Tampa Bay area.

Don't let your family's biggest asset get stuck in Pasco County probate court. Learn how to use a Lady Bird Deed to maintain control of your home while ensuring your heirs receive a tax-saving "Step-Up in Basis" on your Land O' Lakes property.

USF faculty face a major decision between the SUSORP and the FRS Pension. Whether you are an "academic nomad" or planning a long-term career in Wesley Chapel, learn how to choose the retirement path that offers the most flexibility and security for your future.

Inheriting a pre-tax IRA in 2026 can be a tax nightmare for your children. Discover why a Roth IRA is the ultimate legacy gift for your heirs in Land O' Lakes, and why your Traditional IRA is actually the perfect asset to leave to a Tampa charity.