| It is never too early to start thinking about and | | | | keep fitter. |
| preparing for retirement. So many times young | | | | Talk to your employer about your retirement plan |
| people think that they have a lifetime to think about | | | | now. Check to see what you can contribute and if |
| retiring and then time gets away from them, leaving | | | | your employer provides matching funds. |
| them with no retirement plan or options. Here are | | | | Discuss various retirement possibilities with your |
| some items to consider about this very important | | | | spouse. Understand each other's plans and make sure |
| time in your life. | | | | that you have all appropriate legal papers signed. |
| Review your finances. Knowing where you stand | | | | Review your benefits and social security statement. |
| today will help you design a plan for where you are | | | | If you have any questions, call to have them |
| going. If you are in debt up to your eyeballs, then | | | | explained. Don't put this off until later. |
| apparently you are not prepared to retire. Right now, | | | | Open an IRA. You can check with your bank to see |
| set a personal and family budget and include an | | | | if you are eligible to open an IRA and get help you |
| amount for retirement. In order to maintain your | | | | with the process. |
| current standard of living after you retire, you will | | | | Think about how you want to spend your retirement |
| require between 70% and 90% of your current | | | | years. After retirement, you may want to take |
| income. | | | | another job, volunteer, travel, or hobby. The amount |
| Review your current needs and goals. Knowing what | | | | of retirement income you'll need will depend on what |
| you plan to do can give you some idea of what you | | | | you want to do with your time. |
| will need in terms of money and health. So whether | | | | These retirement preparation tips are not a |
| you plan to travel or stay home with the grandkids, | | | | guarantee that you'll be ready for retirement, but |
| start planning now. | | | | they will start you thinking about the subject and |
| Develop a healthy lifestyle. This is the perfect time to | | | | how to make it easier. Many people actually start |
| quit smoking and start exercising. Losing a few | | | | 'living' their lives after age 60. Who knows, retirement |
| pounds can help many aging folks stay healthier and | | | | could be the best, most successful times of your life. |