Planning for Retirement

Saving for retirement is one of the biggest and most important financial investments plan members face.  No wonder they can feel unsure of where or how to get started!  This page is dedicated to helping you provide your plan members with guidance and answers to some of the most common and pressing retirement questions.

Typically, a plan member will align to one of three stages for retirement - learn, plan and do. The specific timing of each Pre-Retirement Planning Stage will vary by member. Since retirement looks different for everyone, these stages aren’t based on age or career level but rather where the member is on their own retirement journey.

Stage 1: LEARN - This is the stage where members start to think and learn about retirement planning and why it’s important. 

Stage 2: PLAN - This stage is when members move away from the theoretical and start to actually plan for their retirement. 

Stage 3: DO - In this stage, members are creating their own reality by implementing their plan, reviewing it, and staying on course so their reality can match the vision.  

Below you’ll find resources that may be helpful for members in all 3 stages.  Use these pieces as stand-alone resources or link them together in a pro-active campaign. 

NEW! Retirement campaigns are available with some pre-written content and resources you can use to help members. Click here to get started.

Common retirement questions & links to resources to help answer them

As a member starts to think about retirement, this is often their starting point. These links and resources have information that can help. 

As a member approaches retirement, it’s important for them to think about how to turn their savings into retirement income. Here are some links to share with information on the main vehicles for retirement income:

Help members learn what these pensions are, and what they should keep in mind before tapping into them. Share these links below:

Help your members step into retirement by preparing them for what changes need to be made to their investments. Share these links to answer some common retirement income questions.

Being financially prepared it important, but there are other areas a member should consider when planning for and moving into retirement.

  • Help your members make every day a little healthier with our coaches’ advice on setting goals, building routines, nutrition, fitness, mental health, and more. Share this link to Sun Life Healthy You.
  • Help members consider what “living in retirement” might look like and how to prepare for the changes ahead.  

Decumulation Hub

While there is no single way to solve the decumulation challenge, Sun Life has the expertise to help navigate to and through this phase. Review this site for ongoing guidance, advice, tools, advocacy and thought leadership – for you and your employees. 

Additional Resources:

  • Our free Financial Wellness webinars can help plan members grow their knowledge and take control of their money, no matter how much they already know. Use  this email template to promote these webinars or encourage plan members to register for sessions by visiting sunlife.ca/mymoney
  • Learn more about Sun Life Choices