These 5 things vanish once you retire. Are you prepared?

Group 1: Home Equity and Financial Flexibility - Homeowners can leverage a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to access tax-free cash from their home equity, which averages around $315,000 as of Q3 2024, with a national aggregate of $17.6 trillion in homeowner equity, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase [1][2]. - HELOCs provide a flexible source of liquidity, allowing homeowners to borrow against their equity as needed, making them suitable for renovations or debt consolidation [6][7]. Group 2: Retirement Financial Challenges - Over 80% of older adults face financial struggles or risk economic insecurity in retirement, exacerbated by inflation affecting fixed incomes [3]. - The transition from a steady paycheck to managed withdrawals from retirement accounts and Social Security represents a significant change in retirement income dynamics [3][9]. Group 3: Retirement Planning Considerations - Key aspects that may disappear in retirement include a steady paycheck, employer-sponsored benefits, and a sense of purpose, which can lead to feelings of unpreparedness if not planned for [4][15][18]. - Financial planners emphasize the importance of tracking expenses and adjusting spending habits during retirement to maintain financial stability [12].