It has already happened due to slight unforeseen medical problems. There are a couple of things I would like to say about it. Rule 1 is always make your bed as soon as you get out of it otherwise you will crawl right back in and spend the rest of the day lounging (unless of course you have someone you desire in there with you and you are going to be performing acts that make staying in bed worth it.). Next, well before you are going to be receiving Medicare, research it and if possible talk to someone who knows the bare bones about it. If you are going to be getting a pension, generally there is someone who is associated with the pension that will help you. I would imagine that human relations departments at companies have a similar set-up. They probably can't give legal advice but can talk about how it is set up. Remember that Medicare is not free. You will be paying for the fund itself and then you will (if you are smart) sign up for a supplemental health insurance policy. The companies that you will be able to choose from for that policy will have a dizzying array of choices regarding out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles. I found that it was a great help to find someone you trust (or many individuals) and see what company they chose and why. Finally you will have to choose a company who will supply your drugs, if you are taking them. Each company available often have different amounts for every drug. Moreover for all this stuff it can change year to year so it becomes like one bad marriage after another. One can see why the single payer system has become more and more acceptable in general, among the young and old. Finally, work all this into the budget (realistic) you sit down and write for yourself to make sure you really can afford to retire. Also, I have found that you have to keep your mind and body tuned as much as you can or you will go crazy. Keep in touch with friends and family, work out when possible, and plan on volunteering for an organization(s) that you think can use your help. It help others a lot and makes you feel really good about yourself. Any way sorry for blathering but those were some short notes about things I found on my way to and just after I retired.