Veteran Forward HQ Resources
Retirement Readiness Scorecard
A 10-point assessment to determine if your mission is ready for launch.
Section 1 — The 10-Point Readiness Assessment
Be honest with yourself. For each item, check 'Yes' only if you have a completed, documented plan in place. 'I think so' or 'Mostly' counts as a No.
| Mission Requirement | Completed? (Yes/No) | Notes / Gaps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Monthly retirement income gap calculated? | ||
| 2. Debt-free or have a documented payoff plan? | ||
| 3. Emergency fund (3-6 months) fully funded? | ||
| 4. Estate documents (Will, POA) current & located? | ||
| 5. Beneficiaries audited on all accounts? | ||
| 6. Long-term care plan in place? | ||
| 7. Investment allocation reviewed in last 12 months? | ||
| 8. Social Security strategy (when to file) decided? | ||
| 9. VA benefits maximized and inventory complete? | ||
| 10. Spouse/Family briefed on the full plan? |
Section 2 — Scoring Your Mission
Tally up your 'Yes' answers from Section 1 and find your readiness level below.
- •8-10 Points: MISSION READY. You have a solid foundation and clear plan. Focus on minor adjustments and maintaining momentum.
- •5-7 Points: IN PROGRESS. You have some key pillars in place, but significant gaps remain that could jeopardize your retirement security.
- •Under 5 Points: URGENT ACTION NEEDED. Your retirement mission is at high risk. Priority 1 is filling the gaps in your scorecard immediately.
Section 3 — Clarity in the Chaos
Sergeant First Class Reynolds felt overwhelmed by the transition. 'There were a thousand things to do,' he said. 'I was paralyzed because I didn't know which one mattered most.'
He used this scorecard and realized he scored a 3. While he had a good TSP balance, he had no estate plan, no emergency fund, and had never calculated his income gap. 'The score of 3 was a wake-up call,' Reynolds said. 'But it was also a relief. I stopped trying to do 1,000 things and just focused on getting that score to a 5, then a 7.'
Six months later, he hit an 8. 'The clarity was the best part,' he said. 'I wasn't guessing anymore. I knew I was ready.'