Other things to consider if you want to work longer:

❚ Don’t use your default retirement age. From a preretiree’s perspective, rather than using the default retirement age in your retirement plan, override it with a realistic date of retirement based on actual occupation and any health issues, Keady said. ❚ Create a detailed budget. Create a detailed budget to better understand actual projected expenses in retirement rather than a default income replacement ratio. “Be sure to include health care expenses and any changes to projected lifestyle — such as downsizing of the home,” Keady said. “In some cases, reduced spending may be an alternative to working longer.”

❚ What’s your plan B? Regardless of occupation, Keady said it’s always a good exercise for somewhat older employees to ask: If I have to retire tomorrow, what does it look like in my retirement plan? “Insight is the first step to building a Plan B — just in case,” he said.

❚ Get help. The planning required to work longer and achieve retirement security can be complicated. You may need to work with a professional, Keady said.

Powell contributes regularly to USA TODAY, TheStreet, and “The Wall Street Journal.” Got questions about money? Email rpowell@allthingsretirement.com.