Do you like surprises? You might like the surprise of getting some money in the mail that you weren’t expecting or the surprise of a visit from a dear friend you’ve not seen in years.

But how about an unpleasant surprise? What if you’re surprised to learn that your retirement income has fallen short of replacing your paycheck and you realize that the only solution is to work longer or continue with your plan to retire and then learn to live on less.

A far better solution is to be prepared so that retirement is not filled with unpleasant surprises but is a planned event with the plan starting early in your career. Between your starting date and ending date, some twists and turns may take you off course, but with a plan, you can get back on track to find your way to a financially secure retirement.

Compare planning for retirement to planning your next vacation. Most of us don’t wake up and say, “It’s time to go on a vacation today.” For some of us, the fun is in the planning. How are we going to get there? What do we need to pack? What are we going to do once we get there? How much is it going to cost? The answers to these questions might require a plan to save money well ahead of the vacation to cover the cost of the trip. We may need to compare when we shop for airfares, rental cars, and hotels. Exploring travel websites will take time to learn the best places to visit and how much the activities will cost. If you enjoy the details of planning a vacation, then preparing for retirement might become more manageable for you. For others, retirement planning can be tedious and considered a complicated chore.

When you plan for your retirement, you will enjoy the following benefits. Here are some ways to get started or to check to be sure that you are on track:

1. Plan your retirement date: Do you know when you become eligible for an “immediate, unreduced” retirement benefit under FERS?  Do you understand how your length of service will be determined and how much credit you’ll receive for sick leave that is leftover at retirement?  Explore the retirement planning resources at the Office of Personnel Management’s Retirement Center. Learn more by attending a pre-retirement or midcareer planning program, if available at your agency.  You can also find webinars online through the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, The National Institute of Transition Planning, and other online training events.