Know Where You Stand: Reassessing Your Financial Journey

You’ve saved, you’ve planned, and you’ve made smart decisions. But as you enter this stage of your life, career shifts, family needs, market fluctuations, and evolving personal goals can all impact your financial journey. That’s why a financial check-up is so important. It’s not about starting over — it’s about fine-tuning your strategy to make the most of the critical years ahead.

Here are key steps to help you evaluate where you stand financially to optimize your path to retirement:
1. Evaluate Your Financial Picture:

• Review your current savings, investments, and debts to calculate your net worth and get a clear snapshot of your financial health.
• Consult a Financial Advisor for guidance on your investment portfolio to ensure your strategy aligns with your age, risk tolerance, and retirement goals.
• Optimize your savings by redirecting any extra income toward retirement savings, and review and maximize contributions to retirement accounts.

2. Make Informed Financial Decisions:

• Evaluate major purchases and consider their impact on your retirement plans before you spend.
• Practice discipline by weighing the long-term consequences of financial choices against short-term desires.

3. Set Clear Retirement Goals:

• Define what you want your retirement to look like.
• Estimate the income you’ll need to support your desired lifestyle.

By taking these steps, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of your financial position and be better equipped to make decisions that support your retirement goals. Remember, knowing where you stand today is the first step in planning for a secure tomorrow.

Get the Support You Need

ZOLL is committed to supporting your financial wellness no matter where you are in your journey. We’ve partnered with two trusted organizations to provide you with comprehensive financial support:

CAPTRUST: Your Personal Investment Guide

• Independent investment advisory firm with over 25 years of experience providing personalized investment advice to help employees navigate retirement benefits:
  • CAPTRUST will assist you with investment questions, retirement planning, and other financial matters.
  • Ready for guidance? Click here to schedule a FREE 30-minute appointment with a CAPTRUST counselor.

Fidelity: Your Financial Administrator

• Administers ZOLL’s 401(k) Plan and Health Savings Account (HSA), and Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
  • If you are enrolled in an HSA, Fidelity shares tips for using your HSA in retirement to help you avoid penalties once you transition to Medicare.
• Offers a financial wellness checkup to help you:
  • Understand your current financial health
  • Manage debt effectively
  • Create and stick to a budget
  • Work toward your money goals
• Visit NetBenefits.com to access your accounts and explore their financial wellness resources.

According to Forbes, the top indicator of a financially successful 40-something household is a personalized method for handling finite inflows and seemingly limitless outflows.
No matter what your age, the key to financial success in midlife is effectively managing your income and expenses. Here’s how to start:

• Develop a budgeting system: Find a method that works for you, whether it is a spreadsheet, an app, or on paper. Tracking income and expenses reveals your spending patterns.
• Build emergency reserves: Aim for three months of expenses but start with one month as a realistic goal and build from there. Use windfalls like tax refunds or bonuses to jumpstart this fund.
• Automate savings: Whether your goal is to have three months of emergency reserves or to save for a home down payment, set up automatic transfers to help meet your financial goals. This allows guilt-free spending of remaining funds.
• Prioritize expenses: You can’t fund everything, and you don’t want to go broke trying. Choose wisely between competing priorities like college savings, family vacations, or children’s activities.
• Tackle high-interest debt: Having high interest debt can keep you from reaching your goals. The interest is a heavy toll and the sooner you can remove that burden the better. Focus on reducing your debt. Your total debt should be on the decline at this stage of your life.
• Plan for spontaneity: Being smart with your budget does not mean you can’t be spontaneous. Include a “fun fund” in your budget for unexpected opportunities.
• Give to a cause: Charitable giving not only benefits the recipient, but it can also provide personal fulfillment and perspective on your own financial situation.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll be better prepared for both present needs and future goals.

As you reach midlife, you’re likely at the peak of your earning potential and facing a mix of financial responsibilities and opportunities. It’s a critical time to ensure that your financial plans align with your long-term goals. By focusing on key areas such as retirement savings, education planning, investment management, and estate planning, you can set yourself up for financial stability and peace of mind. Here’s how to plan ahead:

• Maximize Retirement Savings: Maximize your 401(k) contributions, especially employer matches to ensure you are getting all the free money on the table, which helps to significantly boost the compounding of your retirement savings.
• Reap the Reward of Auto-escalation: Commit to gradually increasing your retirement savings rate each year through auto-escalation. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can save thanks to compounding interest, without feeling a significant impact on your current lifestyle.
• Pre-Plan Education: If you have children, consider opening and contributing to 529 plans for their education, and encourage family members to contribute at holiday time.
• Have the College Talk: Set clear expectations with your children about what you can realistically contribute to their college education. As a parent, you want to take care of your children, but retirement advisors agree: saving for your retirement should be your top priority.
• Investment Management: Meet with your investment advisor to regularly review and rebalance your investment portfolio for optimal asset allocation.
• Prepare your estate plans: Review CAPTRUST’s 25 Documents for guidance in preparing your estate plans, including wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. And remember to review your designated beneficiaries on a regular basis.

By focusing on these areas, you’ll be better prepared for both your later years and any unexpected life events. Remember, planning now can significantly impact your financial security in the future.

Investing in physical fitness today sets the stage for a healthier, more vibrant future.

Maintaining physical fitness throughout your life is one of the best investments you can make for your future. It may seem unusual to think about how your current health habits will shape your well-being in later years, but this forward-thinking approach can lead to a healthier future. Good health in retirement isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s the result of consistent effort and smart choices made over decades. By staying active and prioritizing fitness at every age, you can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, maintain mobility, and enjoy a higher quality of life in your golden years.

In midlife, your body begins to experience natural changes such as slower metabolism, hormonal shifts, and reduced muscle mass. Staying active during this time is critical to managing these changes and preparing for a healthy retirement.

Regular Check-ups and Screenings

As we age, we may start to notice age-related health changes such as muscle loss (sarcopenia), slower metabolism and risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and arthritis.

Annual physical exams are essential for preventive care and early detection of potential health issues. All ZOLL medical plans include free in-network preventive care and prescription drug coverage through OptumRx to support your best health.

These regular check-ups allow your doctors to:

• Monitor changes in your health over time.
• Assess potential health risks based on family history.
• Address early signs of joint pain or stiffness with physical therapy or low-impact exercises.
• Perform necessary preventive screenings to track blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other key metrics.

In addition, consider these proactive tips to prevent or delay the onset of various health conditions:

• Stay up to date with vaccinations.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking or tobacco products.
• Protect your skin from sun damage.

By prioritizing your health today, you’re laying a strong foundation for better health in your later years.

Establish Healthy Habits

Your lifestyle choices during these years can significantly impact your long-term health.

• Stay active daily. Work with a health coach to customize a consistent exercise routine based on your needs and goals.
• Follow a balanced, nutritious diet and stay hydrated. A health coach can help you adapt your diet as your body changes to focus on lean proteins to support muscle repair and maintenance and increase calcium-rich foods to support bone health.
• Managing stress effectively.
• Ensuring adequate sleep to lessen your risk of serious health conditions and improve your overall well-being.

Healthy Hearts! Healthy You! Provides Free Support

ZOLL’s free wellness program, Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!, is designed to give you an accurate picture of your current health and provide you with a roadmap for how to maintain or improve your well-being. You can participate in free health coaching, take a Home Sleep Apnea Test, and access personalized support to meet your wellness goals. You do not need to be enrolled in a ZOLL medical plan to participate. All ZOLL full-time employees (30+ hours per week) and spouses are eligible to participate in the program and earn rewards. In addition, by participating in and meeting the requirements, you and your spouse could each earn points toward an annual reward of $500.

Remember, the habits and choices you make now can have a lasting impact on your future well-being. By combining the proactive benefits of annual checkups with the personalized support of health professionals like coaches and nutritionists, you can build a strong foundation for a healthier future.
 

Learning how to enjoy life outside of work is essential for a smoother transition into retirement, as it helps prevent the abrupt adjustment that many experience when leaving the structured routine of a career. Midlife offers an opportunity to reassess priorities, experiment with new activities, and establish a balance between work and leisure. By developing these habits, you can maintain a sense of purpose, stay socially engaged, and embrace retirement as an exciting new chapter rather than a daunting change. As you progress into midlife, these activities can provide a sense of fulfillment, help manage stress and create a healthy balance between professional ambitions and personal happiness.

You may already have hobbies or activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, but if you’re looking to expand your horizons or discover new passions, there are countless options to explore. Engaging in hobbies outside of work can enhance your well-being, provide a creative outlet, and help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether you’re single, have a family, or are nearing retirement, incorporating loved ones into your leisure activities can be incredibly rewarding.

Activities to help you foster balance and prepare for retirement:

• Reassess your priorities: Reflect on what brings you joy and aligns with your values, then identify activities that blend purpose with pleasure (e.g., mentoring, volunteering).
• Experiment with new hobbies to reduce stress:
  • Creative outlets: Painting, photography, or writing.
  • Physical activities: Yoga, hiking, or dance classes.
  • Intellectual pursuits: Join a book club, learn a language, or take online courses.
• Strengthen your social connections: Schedule regular meetups with friends, join community groups, or participate in team sports or group fitness classes to combine socializing with exercise.
• Volunteer or Mentor: Share your expertise with younger professionals or community organizations and engage in causes that resonate with your values (e.g., environmental groups, education initiatives).

Why It Matters:

By integrating these activities into your midlife routine, you’ll build resilience, nurture relationships, and cultivate interests that ensure retirement feels like a natural progression rather than a sudden shift. This proactive approach helps you stay energized, purposeful, and ready to embrace the next chapter with confidence.

ZOLL offers free support through Healthy Hearts! Healthy You! and Modern Health. Review the support resources at the bottom of the page.

Strong relationships and community connections are essential for a happy, healthy life — especially as you juggle career, family, and new life stages in midlife. Staying socially engaged can help reduce stress, combat loneliness, and boost your overall well-being. A solid support network also makes it easier to navigate life’s changes and can even support better long-term health.

Simple ways to make connections part of everyday life:

• Start a walking or workout group with friends or neighbors.
• Spend quality time with your partner, family, or close friends.
• Join a club, class, or group that matches your interests.
• Volunteer for causes that matter to you.
• Attend local events, festivals, or community gatherings.

Investing in your relationships now helps you stay balanced, resilient, and fulfilled as you move through midlife and beyond. Small, everyday connections can have a big impact on your happiness and health.

Midlife often brings unexpected changes — whether in your career, family, or personal goals — and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. But this stage of life is also a powerful opportunity to make change work for you. By embracing a “growth mindset,” you can turn challenges into steppingstones for greater happiness and success.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset means seeing change as a chance to learn and improve, not as a setback. It’s about viewing mistakes as valuable lessons and believing you can adapt and grow, no matter where you start.

How to make change work in your favor:

• Stay open-minded: Approach new situations with curiosity. Rather than fearing the unknown, look forward to fresh possibilities and solutions.
• Focus on the positive: Seek out the silver linings in every challenge. Focusing on what you can gain or learn helps you keep moving forward.
• Build resilience: Strengthen your ability to bounce back from setbacks. Practicing mindfulness can help you stay calm and grounded, even when life feels unpredictable.

By adopting these habits, you can make midlife changes work in your favor — transforming challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth and setting yourself up for a fulfilling next chapter.

ZOLL offers free support through Healthy Hearts! Healthy You! and Modern Health. Review the support resources at the bottom of the page.

Midlife and mid-career can feel like a high-wire act: you’re juggling leadership roles, guiding teens or young adults, and supporting aging parents — all while questioning if your current path still fulfills you. Burnout can loom large, and it’s natural to wonder, “Is this all there is?”

This stage is an opportunity to pause, reassess, and realign your life and career with your evolving values and vision for the future. By embracing emotional agility, you can navigate transitions like empty nesting or caregiving, and shift from simply climbing the ladder to building a meaningful legacy. Now is the time to audit your priorities, nurture your relationships, and cultivate the flexibility and purpose that will carry you into a healthy, fulfilling retirement.

To help you make the most of midlife and lay the groundwork for the future you — and your retirement — focus on these key areas:

• Reassess your priorities: Regularly review whether your career and commitments align with your core values and aspirations. Are your relationships thriving, or just running on autopilot?
• Define your legacy with purpose: Think about how you can go beyond just reaching your own goals — like helping others, starting a project you care about, or finding ways to make a positive impact that lasts even after you retire.
• Reframe your mindset: Approach midlife transitions with openness, reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and renewal.

Take advantage of free, confidential coaching from Modern Health. Certified coaches will use evidence-based techniques to help you maintain accountability and work through your personal and professional goals.

In this busy stage of life, it’s especially important to stay flexible and keep your mind engaged to maintain mental agility and overall well-being. With the many demands of work, family, and life transitions, finding simple ways to keep your brain active can help reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve focus. Doing this now helps prepare you for whatever comes next.

Try these easy habits to boost your mental agility:

• Stay curious: Read about topics that interest you or try something new.
• Keep learning: Take a class or workshop to pick up new skills.
• Get creative: Write, draw, or play music to relax and think differently.
• Challenge your brain: Play puzzles or games that make you think.
• Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes to breathe deeply or meditate to clear your mind.

These small steps can make a big difference in how you feel and think today — and in the years to come.

If you’re in your midlife years, you know firsthand how challenging it can be to juggle your career, family, and everything else on your plate. With so many responsibilities pulling you in different directions, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to manage stress and stay mentally flexible. By building healthy habits now — like setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and staying open to new experiences — you’ll be better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs, both at work and at home. Taking care of your mental agility isn’t just about surviving the busy years; it’s about thriving through them and setting yourself up for a fulfilling future.

Make Self-care A Priority

No one knows you better than you do. Tuning in to your emotions is key to maintaining well-being. When you notice how you feel, you’ll know when it’s time to reach out for support. Try these self-care suggestions to help you stay balanced and resilient:

• Prioritize rest and nourishment: Chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to depression and anxiety and can impair cognitive functions like decision-making and problem-solving. Aim for seven to nine hours of consistent quality sleep. And to further support your mind and body, eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  Do you have a sleep condition? You may be eligible to participate in a free Home Sleep Apnea Test through Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!
• Stay active and engaged: Regular physical activity, creative hobbies, and mentally stimulating activities like puzzles help reduce stress, boost your mood, and keep your mind sharp.
• Practice mindfulness and set boundaries: Use mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing to calm your mind and protect your energy by saying no to draining commitments.
• Take breaks and practice gratitude: Step away from work regularly to recharge. Take time each day to appreciate the positives in your life to build optimism and resilience.
• Connect and know when to seek support: Spend time with loved ones, join community groups. If you find yourself feeling more stressed or anxious than normal, ask for help.

Reach out to Modern Health for free, confidential support with a coach or therapist.

ZOLL offers free support through Healthy Hearts! Healthy You! and Modern Health. Review the support resources at the bottom of the page.

Your ZOLL benefits include free resources designed to help you navigate life’s challenges, manage stress, set meaningful goals, and build confidence in your daily decisions. Take advantage of these tools to support your well-being and empower your journey every step of the way.

Modern Health

Modern Health offers mental wellness support to you and your dependents, including access to personalized one-on-one, group, and self-serve resources for your well-being, so that you can be the best version of yourself — at home, at work, and in your relationships. Modern Health coaches can help you manage a wide range of situations that may come your way, including stress, relationships, parenting, personal growth, financial well-being, and professional development, among many others. Should you need additional support, licensed professionals are available to assist one-on-one with more serious concerns such as depression and anxiety.

Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!

ZOLL’s free wellness program, Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!, is designed to give you an accurate picture of your current health and provide you with a roadmap for how to maintain or improve your well-being. You can participate in free health coaching, take a Home Sleep Apnea Test, and access personalized support to meet your wellness goals. You do not need to be enrolled in a ZOLL medical plan to participate. All ZOLL full-time employees (30+ hours per week) and spouses are eligible to participate in the program and earn rewards. In addition, by participating in and meeting the requirements, you and your spouse could each earn points toward an annual reward of $500.