| The first Baby Boomers are turning 64 in 2010 and | | | | this point. Others are able to ask a trusted friend |
| many may be thinking about retirement. In this | | | | what their experience has been. You want to |
| economy it is a decision that must be thought out | | | | maintain a familiar quality of life in retirement. Are |
| carefully. Some people have been retirement planning | | | | there things you have to give up because you will |
| for a long time and others have not. There are three | | | | not have enough income? These are hard decisions |
| areas of concern that you must think about before | | | | to make and might help you decide that you want to |
| handing in your notice. What do you expect your | | | | work longer to increase your income. Others might |
| living expenses to be when you retire? What quality | | | | decide to retire and work part time to be able to |
| of life do you expect? How long do you need to plan | | | | afford what you want. |
| for? | | | | None of us knows how many years we will be in |
| If you own a house, you know your mortgage, | | | | retirement. There are many factors such as health |
| maintenance and insurance will be your biggest | | | | and family history that affect how long we will be |
| expenses. Calculate your food, utilities, gas, medical | | | | around. Financial planners are helpful in giving us |
| and miscellaneous expenses. Remember to add some | | | | guidance on how to plan for length of time in |
| extra for recreation. Add up all of your normal | | | | retirement. Everyone has to make that decision |
| monthly expenses and compare it to what your | | | | about how much to save for themselves. |
| retirement benefits will be. Whether you have a | | | | As you can see there is a lot to think about before |
| company plan, investments and/or Social Security, | | | | you retire. The last thing you want to do is run out |
| you should be able to get estimates of what your | | | | of money. Careful planning before retirement can help |
| income will be to help you plan. | | | | keep that from happening. The goal is to have a |
| Some people use financial planners to help them at | | | | happy and healthy retirement. |