close to retirement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to retirement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is nearing the age or time when they plan to stop working. Example: "After decades of dedicated service, she is now close to retirement and looking forward to her next chapter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Avoiding losses in the future can be important to a person getting close to retirement or already retired.

Forbes

Several of the main invertebrate specialists have retired or are close to retirement and few are being replaced.

Plosone

365 individuals responded, 86 of whom were close to retirement, 279 of whom were already retired.

Personality and Individual Differences

I'm getting close to retirement.

The New York Times - Sports

For people close to retirement, the problem is acute.

The New York Times

He is close to retirement, but has two small children.

The Economist

Those close to retirement do not have that luxury.

The New York Times

Plus, at 35 he was close to retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

It is understood that Mitchell was close to retirement age.

The Guardian

Close to retirement, he had become the head of Coward-McCann.

The New Yorker

I would say he would be close to retirement for him to be governor.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clear and precise writing, replace vague terms like "older workers" with the more specific phrase "workers close to retirement" when you're talking about retirement options.

Common error

Do not assume that all individuals "close to retirement" have similar financial situations or retirement plans. Acknowledge the diversity in their circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to retirement" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often 'person', 'worker', or a pronoun). It describes the state of being near the end of one's working career. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in sentences discussing financial planning, career transitions, and retirement benefits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close to retirement" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe someone nearing the end of their career. Ludwig AI data reveals it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, avoid making broad generalizations about individuals in this stage of life. Remember, related phrases like "nearing retirement" or "approaching retirement" can offer subtle variations in meaning. It's important to acknowledge the diversity in financial situations and expectations of people close to retirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing retirement

Emphasizes the process of approaching retirement.

approaching retirement

Similar to "nearing retirement", highlighting the imminent arrival of retirement.

about to retire

Directly states the imminence of retirement.

on the verge of retirement

Indicates a position very near the point of retirement.

soon to be retired

Emphasizes the short amount of time before retirement begins.

getting ready to retire

Focuses on the preparation and anticipation of retirement.

retirement is on the horizon

Presents retirement as a future event that is becoming increasingly visible.

preparing for retirement

Highlights the active steps being taken to transition into retirement.

in the homestretch of their career

Uses a metaphorical term to indicate the final phase of one's working life.

in the twilight of their career

Uses a more poetic term to signify the end of one's professional journey.

FAQs

What's the difference between "nearing retirement" and "close to retirement"?

Both phrases are similar, but "nearing retirement" often implies a slightly longer timeframe than "close to retirement", which suggests retirement is imminent.

How can I rephrase "close to retirement" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using "approaching retirement" or "on the cusp of retirement" instead of "close to retirement".

What are some financial strategies for someone "close to retirement"?

Individuals "close to retirement" might focus on preserving capital, reducing investment risk, and ensuring a stable income stream. Consulting a financial advisor is always recommended.

Is it correct to say "closely to retirement" instead of "close to retirement"?

No, the correct phrase is "close to retirement". Using "closely" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.