Well, it’s official – I am a soon to be member of the retired club.

This week, my kids pulled off a delightful surprise by throwing me a fabulous 55th birthday bash, and we got to talking about my next milestone, retirement! After dedicating years to the grind and building my career, I'm now at a point where I'm eagerly anticipating the next chapter, a brand new journey in my life. But before I dive headfirst into this exciting phase, there's one critical task on my to-do list: getting my financial retirement plans in order. But first let me introduce myself; I'm Miriam, a proud member of the CAAT Pension Plan and a Pensionality Composer result.

Retirement is a chapter that's been on the horizon for what feels like forever, and now I'm right on the brink of it. I've got a bucket list brimming with plans for my retirement years – from exploring the charming corners of Europe to giving my home a stylish makeover. And yes, I've even fantasized about having my own Martha Stewart moment in the kitchen.

But to be able to retire I need to give the financial aspects some serious thought. After all, I want to make sure I have the funds to be able to transition into this new chapter and be able to enjoy the down time without worrying about finances. Which is why I am so glad I’ve got a defined benefit pension.

I became a CAAT member a little later in my career and it brought me an unexpected sense of peace about my future. In my previous jobs, I had the opportunity to benefit from an employer-matched RRSP, which was certainly a positive aspect. However, there was always this underlying stress about having to navigate complex investment decisions and the fear of running out of money during retirement. But now, with my defined benefit pension, I don’t have to worry about that, and I can relax knowing that the pension payments I'll receive in the future are for life. It's a reassuring safety net that allows me to focus on other retirement preparations without the stress of financial uncertainty.

While I know there is still a lot to do, having a defined benefit pension sets me on the right path to get started. And I am so excited to take you along this adventure with me. Whether you are in a similar journey, or merely curious about the intricacies of retirement planning, I hope you find valuable insights here. Together we’ll navigate the path to a secure and fulfilling retirement.