Optimism that Threatens
I thought to share with you this week’s article because it provided an abstract of a study done that concludes that “a disturbingly large number of investors think they are on a path toward a comfortable retirement, but they are unlikely to reach their destination due to their unrealistically optimistic growth forecasts for their retirement savings”. Call us if you are evaluating your retirement plan, we may have ideas for obtaining an income that will continue over your lifespan, regardless of what happens in the market. We’re always here to help.
Convert Savings into Spending
The Brookings Institute recently published a study where they reported that “in a recent nationwide poll, 73 percent of Americans said they do not have the financial skills to manage their money in retirement. Converting retirement savings balances into a stream of retirement income creates difficult choices. The necessary decisions – made in the presence of uncertainty about investment returns, future healthcare expenses, lifespan, and other factors – must balance the twin desires to boost current living standards and to avoid outliving one’s assets. For many people, the solution will involve some form of guaranteed lifetime income – benefits that will be paid regularly as long as the individual survives. Social Security benefits, for example, provide lifetime income, as do payments from defined benefit (DB) pension plans. However, Social Security only provides a modest income for most people, and DB pensions are disappearing in the private sector.” The solution – according to them needed to involve an annuity. Call us if you would like to know more about income streams you can’t outlive. We’re always here to help.
Receive What You are Entitled to
This week’s article reminds us “given that an employee may have worked for several employers, who may have merged, sold their plans, or gone bankrupt, it is very difficult for the average person to know where to get help in finding out whether or not he or she is receiving all of his or her pension benefits.” If this strikes home for you, we want to let you know of a program that assists older Americans in accessing information about their retirement benefits and helps them to negotiate with former employers or pension plans for due compensation. Click on this week’s link and take a look. If you need any help, call us. We’re always here for you.
Some Differences to Reflect on
As you enter a new year thinking of the changes you will make in the months to come, I thought to share with you an article that discusses differences that may relate to decisions you will make in your retirement planning. This week’s article tells us “Both annuities and life insurance should be considered in your long-term financial plan. While both include death benefits, you buy life insurance in the event you die too soon and an annuity in case you live too long. In other words, life insurance provides economic protection to your loved ones if you die before your financial obligations to them are met, while annuities guard against outliving your assets.” Call us if you would like to talk about this. We’re always here to help.
Holiday Season
During this holiday season it is important to take a moment and acknowledge that no matter where we are in our retirement planning, we are joined together with gratitude at celebrating the beginning of a new year. We remain committed to working with you planning a better retirement, where your future years are less stressful, and you feel better about your retirement strategies. Call us, we are always here to help. Happy Holidays.
A Growth Vehicle plus Guaranteed Income
This week’s article discusses something we don’t always focus on when it comes to our retirement objectives; we want both growth and income. While for sure we don’t want to lose any of our initial investment in whatever product we choose, we still want it to grow. A fixed-index annuity offers “both a potential source of guaranteed income in retirement and a growth vehicle that may outperform bonds — without the risk of loss of the initial investment.” Call us if you are still researching how to get all that you want with your retirement money. We’re always here to help.
Silver is the New Green
When I saw the phrase “Silver is the new green” in this week’s article I knew I had to share the article with you. “Aging is”, as the article says, “an opportunity”, and “the changing landscape offers significant rewards for those with the foresight to adapt.” Part of that adaptation includes evaluating where you stand with having income in your retirement that you won’t outlive. Call us if you’d like some ideas for how to achieve this goal. We’re always here to help.
Identifying Retirement Income Gaps
Commentary:
This week’s article provides a budgeting exercise “to identify potential income shortfalls” so that you can think about what options you have to cover life’s unexpected expenses. Call us after you have taken a look so that we can discuss some choices you may have. We’re always here to help.
Game Ready
Commentary:
“Just like many big life moments such as getting married, or expanding your family, you need a plan and check-ups along the way. Retirement is no different. Your financial health can use a check-up on the road to retirement. With the right tools and proper planning, you can be Game Ready.” This week’s article provides some useful tips on getting retirement ready. Call us if you need any help reviewing your financial retirement plans, we’re always here to help.
Family Ready
Commentary:
Many think of a fixed indexed annuity only as it relates to themselves and as a way to obtain an income they can’t outlive in our retirement; but this week’s article tells us to be “Family Ready to celebrate all life can offer, with those who matter most. A fixed indexed annuity can help you get started.” There is more than one reason to look at this product. Call us, we’d love to explain how it might fit into your long term plans. We’re always here to help.