Often, we think of retirement only as we are leaving our employment. This week’s article suggests we think about it when we evaluate a job offer, and that we factor in the value to a job offer what an employer’s retirement benefits can add. How is that evaluated? The article suggests you ask yourself four questions: Are employees offered retirement savings vehicles? Does the company match contributions? What is the vesting period? And, Are the retirement offerings sufficient for your retirement goals? Call us if you have any questions about how the answers to these questions may impact on you other retirement savings needs. We may know of options you haven’t thought about.
CALCULATORS
This week we thought to share various Money and Retirement Tools in order to assist you in determining your financial resources and needs. It is a good idea to always have a clear understanding of your income and expenses so that you can better determine if your retirement planning seems on track. So when you get a chance, we suggest you plug your personal numbers into the Health Care Costs Calculator, Retirement Calculator and Social Security Benefits Calculator provided here, and then call us to talk about the results. We are always here to suggest options that may help you achieve your retirement goals.
Work, Retirement and Financial Security in the 21st Century
This week’s article, written by the President of the Transamerica Institute and Executive Director of the Aegon Center for Longevity is called “Work, Retirement and Financial Security in the 21st Century”. The author ask the question “Should retirement be a fixed moment in time? A more flexible approach would enable us to extend our working lives, gradually transition and fully retire at an older age. It would afford the ability to stay active and continue earning income while saving for the day when we stop working altogether.” We might have some options that would help you reach your goal of additional income in retirement, and we would love to speak with you about them. Call us, we are always here to help.
PREDICT THE FUTURE?
“Rather than attempting to predict the future, why not alleviate risk with a diversified retirement plan? FIAs are reliable products that can provide peace of mind and balance to anyone’s portfolio.” This week’s article caught my attention as it included several reasons why you might want to include FIAs as part of your retirement plan. After you have read it, give me a call. It might be time to review your plans and determine what can be done to help you accomplish your goals. We’re always here and look forward to hearing from you.
TAKEAWAYS
Following up on a presentation in DC where industry professionals and policy makers addressed “major challenges Americans face today when it comes to planning for retirement and responsibly managing their money during stock market swings”, this week’s article remarked that “Retirement plans come in all different shapes and sizes, based on your own unique needs, current finances, and dreams for the future. No matter the direction you plan to take your journey, keeping a balanced portfolio with risk and conservative options, like FIAs, and referencing tips shared by the event’s panelists, can set you on a path to a successful and enjoyable retirement.” We’ve given you the link to the full panel event should you wish to hear more. Call us if you have any questions. We’re always here to help.
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AGING IS NOT A TREND, IT IS HERE TO STAY
I was caught by one of the statements made in an article I heard this week and thought to share it with you here. “The smart investor will look beyond the ”baby boomer bulge” headlines and recognize that aging is not a trend but a revolutionary transformation.” Did you know that there will soon be 1 billion of us over 60? This makes me reflect on what seems to be a greater need for more and more people to find options for income that will last a much longer life time. Call us if you’d like to discuss what options we think might work for you. We’re always here to help.
WEATHERING THE STORM
This week’s article references a forum that was held this past week called “Weathering the Storm: Forum on Volatile Markets” which “discusses the challenges of today’s financial market, and more importantly, to explore ways Americans can plan for a secure retirement, despite market swings and ever-change workplace structures.” Call us if you would like to discuss some options for providing income in your retirement planning. We’re always here to help.
ARE YOU FULL RETIREMENT AGE NOW OR IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS?
We believe it is important for you to be informed, and wanted to provide you with this week’s article because it is time sensitive and discusses strategies phased out as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. The article states that “Those who are full retirement age or those who will reach it in the next six months will still have the opportunity to file-and-suspend before the crackdown takes effect after April 29, 2016. Furthermore, anyone who was born in 1953 or earlier (or Jan. 1 of 1954) will still be able to do a restricted application for spousal (or divorced ex-spouse) benefits, even if the filing doesn’t occur until years from now.” We’re always here to help, so please call us if you want to talk about this strategy.
BENEFITS GUIDE
If you’re anything like me, you may like to have hard copies of documents that discuss topics that are important to you so that you can refer back to them when you have questions. That’s why I thought to share this week’s article with you because it is an in depth resource guide to What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement Benefits. Take a look and call if you have any questions you think we can help you with. We always enjoy hearing from you.
MANAGING RISK
This week’s article discusses managing risk with Fixed Indexed Annuities. The author writes that in “the past decade, the financial market has experienced extreme swings and with such volatility, Americans are rethinking traditional retirement income and investment sources.” Further, the author goes on to say that “many financial experts see this return to a high volatility market as being the new normal, with the expectation of another large market correction looming on the horizon, an inevitability driven by competing economic factors.” In response to this need for a way to protect savings from volatility over the long-term, the article identifies the Fixed Indexed Annuity as being a “product which allows clients to participate in gains generated within the market, while limiting exposure to losses.” Call us if you would like to learn more about this product. We’re always here to help.