| Yesterday, my wife had lunch with a friend (who | | | | Retirement planning is the important task of deciding |
| we'll call Nancy) who had just retired from her job of | | | | how you will live once you retire. It's important |
| 20 years. Nancy had been looking forward to her | | | | because retirement is going to cost you more than |
| retirement... the free time, traveling, gardening. | | | | you probably are estimating. |
| But Nancy was a little depressed. She didn't realize | | | | Retirement planning is much like planning a trip. It |
| how much it cost to be retired. She had not planned | | | | involves identifying your individual needs and |
| for retirement. | | | | resources. To pay for your retirement goals, you'll |
| You see, Nancy worked at a job that provided no | | | | likely need to draw on all types of income available to |
| retirement plan (or health plan for that matter). | | | | you, including Social Security and your investments, |
| Nancy, like most Americans, had figured Social | | | | such as your IRA, 401(k) and whatever individual |
| Security would take care of her. A new study | | | | stocks and other securities you may own. |
| quoted at shows that despite the uncertainty | | | | Retirement planning is the time and preparation you |
| regarding the solvency of Social Security, 65% of | | | | put into making sure your years after you decide to |
| respondents expect Social Security to be a primary | | | | leave the workforce are happy, healthy, fulfilling, and |
| source of income during retirement. Social Security is | | | | exciting. Planning now will help you secure a |
| not a safety net. | | | | comfortable lifestyle for those years you want to |
| Retirement planning is not only for the wealthy and is | | | | enjoy the most. |
| about more than investing and saving. | | | | |