Planning

The retirement that you’ve always wished for won’t happen on its own. Unless you’re independently wealthy, or have a wealthy benefactor, it takes discipline and thought to save up for and plan retirement. Planning takes much more than one act, one decision, or one goal. It’s a lot of actions that evolve over time, ending…

Preparing for retirement can be a daunting task, so it helps to know what advice the best financial advisors have to offer. Here is retirement planning advice from 10 of the best-known personal finance experts. Suze Orman: Prepare for the Emotional Aspects of Retirement Suze Orman suggests that at least part of the decision about…

Whether you’re new to planning or have a few years under your belt, a retirement advisor can help you meet your unique goals. A financial advisor and retirement advisor are the same in many ways. But there’s one significant difference. Where a financial advisor is concerned with your finances and goals generally, a retirement planner…

Retirement calculators give you a quick peek at what you will need to retire, and how your current plan is helping you reach that goal. But it’s more than just a snapshot tool. The real benefits come in the insight they offer. Retirement planning is more than following a step-by-step procedure to get from point…

“You will never retire.” Those are four dreaded words no person wants to hear, especially those nearing retirement — even those who have not saved for retirement have hopes of retiring. One in five people who are near retirement age have no money saved, according to a survey last year from the Federal Reserve. The…

With the world and our culture being more uncertain than ever before, it is exponentially more important to begin thinking about life after retirement, as well as the lives of our loved ones after we’re gone. And while it may be impossible to predict what the economy may be like down the line, all the…

The tools for financial independence are at your fingertips, as long as you know where to find them. In this interview, Mark H. of SimplePlanning.net talks about financial planners and calculators and how they can help individuals plan for retirement, college, and just about anything else. But savings isn’t all these planners and calculators help…

If you’re like many Americans, you probably have concerns about your retirement plan. But research shows that those who work with a financial planner are often better prepared for retirement and have more confidence in their savings plans. There are many different types of financial advisors. However, taking those first steps toward meeting with a…

The U.S. is in the midst of a growing retirement crisis, and it’s only getting worse as an increasing number of Americans are less prepared to live on their savings than ever. According to “The Reality of the Retirement Crisis,” a report released this year by the Center for American Progress (CAP), more than 50…

If the thought of retirement has you furrowing your brows in anguish, you’re not alone. The possibilities of high medical bills, running out of savings and not being to afford daily expenses are Americans’ top three concerns around retirement, a recent Bankrate.com survey reveals. Other factors like the viability of Social Security weigh heavily on…

Sometimes it’s hard to even think about retirement when you have yet to find a job that really embodies what it means to work for a great company. Kim Peters of Great Place to Work has made a living out of identifying places of employment that go above and beyond what many expect from traditional…

Retirement for Baby Boomers and subsequent generations will look much different than it did for our parents and grandparents. Due to lifestyle changes and advances in medicine, Baby Boomers have a much longer life expectancy than previous generations. In fact, it’s increased more than six years since 1980, says Marc Des Rosiers, fellow of the…

A new proposal by the Obama Administration is taking unprecedented steps toward protecting people who are planning for retirement. President Obama is directing his administration to move forward with a proposed rulemaking that will protect families by imposing a “fiduciary standard” on retirement advisors. The fiduciary standard ensures  that advisors put the interest of average…

How to plan for retirement?  It is a question a lot of people ask, but not as many answer. Planning for retirement isn’t easy — and if you’re like most people, you’re probably putting it off.  A recent survey by Wells Fargo found that only 69 percent of middle class respondents aged 40-59 (the prime…

What is a Certified Financial Planner? It seems like every day Americans are reminded how ill-prepared they are for retirement — especially as numerous reports highlight the country’s lack of savings. If this is you, you might consider working with a certified financial planner (CFP). The benefits of teaming up with a financial planner to…

Eighty-four percent of Americans say having a guarantee of monthly income for the rest of their lives is important to them, yet nearly half (44%) are unsure if their current retirement plan offers them the option of receiving a monthly paycheck in retirement, a new study shows. In addition, having guaranteed money every month to…

Like any other transition, retirement presents some unique challenges. Though this is a major life stage, there isn’t usually much discussion about the emotional challenges of retirement. However, in the end, knowing how to deal with retirement emotionally can be just as important as financial preparation. How Many People Experience the Emotional Challenges of Retirement?…

It’s relatively common knowledge that women tend to have a longer life expectancy than men. But the common knowledge is also backed up with data. According to the Social Security Administration, a man who is 65 years old today can expect to live to 84.3 years. But a woman who is 65 can expect to…

Travel smart, and you could see places you’ve only dreamed of. Retirement seems to be the universal time to think about traveling extensively, but travel can be expensive, especially if you want to cross the oceans. If your retirement funds aren’t as much as you’d like them to be, you might believe that you’re stuck…

If having the finances to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement is of growing concern to you, you’re not alone. Baby Boomers have seen their confidence in retirement deteriorate as a result of the recent economic downturn. As the economy improves, the ability for baby boomers to reach their goals should improve with the economy,…

A retirement calculator gives you a snapshot of where you are now, where you’re headed, and what to expect once you get there. You could find those answers on your own, but these nifty devices are designed to make it simple and quick. Think of it like a checkup. You might have a terrific diet,…

The closer you get to retirement, the more you’ll wonder whether you’re really prepared for it. But the National Retirement Research Index (NRRI) does more than wonder. It determines how many households are considered “at risk” of lacking the finances to keep their current lifestyle once they retire. When you’re younger, it’s easy to think…

It’s a whole new year for a whole new retirement planning attitude. Ringing in the new year with a host of resolutions? Then you’re in good company. Or maybe you gave up on the idea of making sweeping changes years ago, in favor of taking things as they come. However you approach it, every turn…

Don’t let financial planners intimidate you. They’re there to help, and most of them do a great job. The question isn’t really whether financial planners are worth what they earn; it’s more about whether it’s the best choice for you. If you’re on the fence about hiring a planner to handle your wealth, or prospective…