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Start with part one

Each guide builds on the one before it.

  1. 1Part 1
    Crutches and a medical walking boot beside a packed work bag in a home entryway

    What Would Happen to Your Retirement Plan If You Couldn’t Work?

    An illness or injury can interrupt income, retirement contributions, employer matching and health coverage at the same time. Learn how to protect the plan.

    Read this guide
  2. 2Part 2
    Mid-career woodworker reviewing benefit documents in a working studio

    Should You Buy Long-Term Disability Insurance? What to Check Before You Decide

    Employer disability coverage may replace less income than expected. Calculate your real gap and learn which policy terms matter before buying more protection.

    Read this guide
  3. 3Part 3
    Mid-career worker placing a box of office belongings into a car after leaving a job

    Health Insurance After Leaving a Job: Your Main Options Explained

    Leaving a job can trigger several health-insurance deadlines. Compare a spouse’s plan, COBRA, Marketplace coverage, Medicaid and Medicare before a window closes.

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  4. 4Part 4
    Mid-career industrial worker reviewing a separation envelope in a workplace locker room

    How a Layoff Can Affect Your Retirement—and What to Do First

    A layoff can interrupt income, insurance and retirement contributions at once. Use this calm first-30-days plan before making an irreversible 401(k) decision.

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  5. 5Part 5
    Midlife woman arriving for an evening technical training class as part of a career change

    Changing Careers in Midlife Without Derailing Your Retirement

    A midlife career change can improve your life without wrecking retirement. Compare the whole job, protect vested benefits and restart saving deliberately.

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  6. 6Part 6
    Mid-career woman wearing a wrist brace reviewing medical-leave paperwork at her kitchen table

    Taking Medical Leave From Work: What Happens to Your Pay, Health Insurance and Retirement?

    Medical leave can affect your paycheck, insurance premiums, retirement contributions and 401(k) loan at the same time. Use this practical checklist before, during and after leave.

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  7. 7Part 7
    Mid-career woman returning to work through a bright office lobby

    Returning to Work After a Health Setback: How to Rebuild Your Paycheck and Retirement Plan

    Returning to work does not always restart every benefit automatically. Use this practical checklist to verify your paycheck, insurance, accommodations, retirement contributions and any plan loan.

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  8. 8Part 8
    Mid-career nursery employee arranging plants at an adjusted-height work station

    Working With a Chronic Health Condition: How to Adjust Your Career and Retirement Plan

    A chronic health condition may change your hours, income and benefits without ending your career. Learn how to adjust work and retirement planning together.

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  9. 9Part 9
    A midlife bus driver places her work jacket in a depot locker at the end of a shift.

    When Health Forces You to Retire Early: What to Check Before You Stop Working

    Health can make retirement arrive earlier than planned. Before you stop working, check disability benefits, health insurance, Social Security, pension choices and the income bridge that will support you.

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  10. 10Part 10
    A midlife woman ties her walking shoe before beginning her day.

    Your Healthy Working Years Checkup: 10 Steps to Protect Your Health, Income and Retirement

    Use this one-hour annual checkup to review work capacity, workplace benefits, health coverage, emergency savings, retirement progress and the plan your household would follow if health interrupted work.

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