This article appears as part of Casey Weade's Weekend Reading for Retirees series. Every Friday, Casey highlights four hand-picked articles on trending retirement topics and delivers them straight to your email inbox. Get on the list here.

Key considerations for managing staggered retirement include:

📌 Health Insurance: Early retirees may need coverage until they qualify for Medicare at 65. Options include COBRA, joining the working spouse’s employer-provided plan, or purchasing insurance through state exchanges.

📌 Social Security: Staggered retirement allows one spouse to delay claiming Social Security benefits, increasing payouts. However, couples must be mindful of potential tax implications and the Social Security earnings test if the retired spouse works part-time.

📌 Financial Planning: Revisiting your household budget is essential as spending patterns often increase during early retirement ("go-go years"). You must decide the most tax-efficient withdrawal strategies from various accounts while considering long-term sustainability.

📌 Communication and Expectations: Differing retirement timelines can strain relationships. You should openly discuss expectations, including household responsibilities, lifestyle changes, and whether the retired spouse might consider part-time work.

📌 Maximizing 401(k) Contributions: Coordinate your contributions to employer-sponsored plans to maximize employer matches.

Key Takeaways: When you focus on effective planning, clear communication, and coordinated financial strategies, you can better navigate the complexities of staggered retirements while maintaining financial stability and your relationship harmony.