An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Key Retirement Decisions

Couple in kitchen discussing Retirement concerns (Slide 1)

PAUSE

RESUME

I'm looking forward to the retirement we've been dreaming of. But Jenny, I'm really worried that we won't have enough money.

Yeah, me too. I've been reading scary articles about people who haven't saved enough for retirement. And I don't want to be an old, poor, lonely widow, like Liz's mom.

Couple in Kitchen planning Retirement strategy (Slide 2)

Yes, they're an inspiration! You know Bob we'll feel much better about our future if we do our homework and develop a plan.

Good Idea! They did a lot of homework about dogs when they picked me.

It really bothers me to think you might be poor when you're old. I hope we can enjoy a retirement like my aunt and uncle's. They don't worry about money, they've traveled a lot, and they're still going strong in their 80's.

About Steve Vernon background illustration

People approaching retirement face several critical decisions as they transition into retirement and live the rest of their lives.

These decisions are more complex, with higher stakes, than the financial decisions they made earlier in their lives.

Retirement Illustrated helps you understand the importance of these decisions and develop strategies that help you live long and well in retirement.

An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Key Retirement Decisions

Seniors discussing their fears and concerns about retirement.

Seniors discussing their need to plan for retirement.

Plan a Healthy, Financially Secure, and Fulfilling Retirement

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What People Are Saying

Retirement Illustrated takes one of the most stressful phases of financial life and makes it feel approachable—even enjoyable. Steve Vernon’s visual storytelling simplifies complex retirement decisions, helping you navigate this chapter with less anxiety and more confidence.

Jean Chatsky

personal finance expert and author of The Forever Paycheck, out September 8, 2026

In Retirement Illustrated Steve Vernon offers a playful, innovative and actionable guidebook to help everyone envision how to navigate their most important retirement decisions.

Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D.

CEO of Age Wave, author of What Retirees Want, Radical Curiosity, The Power Years and Age Wave

Retirement Illustrated is a breakthrough guide that uses vivid, engaging illustrations to show how real people navigate the pivotal decisions of retirement. Blending research-backed strategies with relatable stories, Steve Vernon makes complex choices simple, memorable, and actionable—helping readers build a secure, fulfilling, and financially confident life after work.

Wade Pfau, Ph.D., CFA, RICP

author of Retirement Planning Guidebook

I LOVE this stuff!

Don Ezra

Author of Life Two: How to Get to and Enjoy What Used to be Called Retirement

I’ve followed several of your recent Retirement Illustrated postings and was curious but not sure about them at first. I must say that I see the value of them now and understand how these appeal to a segment of the population you might not otherwise reach through simple text. It’s very engaging and easy to understand. Kudos to you!

Julie W.

retired Human Resources professional

I’ve known many people in the retirement finance field, and I’ve always found Steve Vernon’s knowledge not just reliable but encyclopedic. Most important, though, his advice is always thoughtful and attuned to the real-world decisions people face.

Retirement Illustrated is a perfect embodiment of Steve’s gifts. It uses brief, graphic, story-driven chapters to walk readers through the retirement choices that matter most. He covers not just financial security, but also health and lifestyle, with constant attention to the emotions that can get in the way of clear-headed decisions. Instead of drowning you in text, Vernon introduces relatable characters, asks the kinds of questions people actually face, and then backs it up with practical detail at the end of each chapter.

If you (or someone you love) are approaching retirement, already in it, or simply trying to make smarter “rest-of-life” decisions, this creative online guide could be just the tool you need.

Eric Schurenberg

Editor in Chief of Money and CBS MoneyWatch

Hi, I’m Steve. I understand—retirement planning can be scary and confusing. I’m an actuary who designs retirement plans, an author, and researcher. My wife and I are retirees in our early 70s and we’re planning our own retirement. We’re sharing what we’ve learned through our company Rest-of-Life Communications. We aim to help people make critical retirement decisions and navigate the rest of their lives.

Learn more about Steve

Graphics by Richard Sheppard: Art Studios