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Retirement Planning
Retirement Articles
  • Is a Retirement Income Calculator the Tool to Use?
    June 29, 2009 | 6:17 pm

    In order to understand the value of money, estimates made using a retirement income calculator always have to be projected back from the future to current day dollars as if you were receiving income as of today.

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  • Retirement Gag Gifts
    June 28, 2009 | 12:32 pm

    Many individuals purchase retirement gag gifts that are funny or that make the individual feel light and emphasize on the funny side of retiring. Although such a gift might make somebody smile, you need to realize that it is not very special.

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Scooters for Mobility and Freedom

Electric mobility scooters come in many brands and models and when researching and reading reviews of what is available it can be rather confusing. A mobility scooter can offer you the freedoms you need without having to depend on family. Mobility scooters come in many makes models and brands such as 4 wheel or 3 wheel. Do your reviews and check out your options before you buy.

Many lightweight mobility scooters have a capacity of 250 pounds. Some of your lightweight scooters can be folded or collapsed to be put in a trunk or car. Many other higher capacity scooters may requires a lift. In many cases the scooter may be covered by insurance but the lift may not. Again always check with your insurer before making that purchase.

Many lightweight models are of 3 wheel design. These models are usually more maneuverable and are great around the house or in tight areas. 4 wheel models are usually of more rugged design and have a higher capacity and are less prone to tipping. They also are more likely to have a further range but don’t forget that range is dependent on several factors. These factors are, weight capacity, battery capacity, age of battery and temperature.

You should take into account range and charging if you have a short range you may be spending more time charging batteries. After a few years you may need to change batteries. After several years a battery will loose its ability to take a full charge thus reducing you range.

On three wheel light capacity models you may see a range of about ten miles. On four wheel higher capacity electric mobility scooters you may anticipate a range of around 25 miles. It is dependent on the brand and model.

When considering a mobility scooter you will need to analyze your situation and decide what uses you scooter will best be used for. When considering indoor or outdoor use there are many things to consider. Will you be using it for golfing, long dog walks, many errands downtown or around town. If you are carrying extra weight on the scooter it could reduce your range. Things you need to consider is how will you be using your electric mobility scooter.

Consider tires or pneumatic tires that may be prone to flats but are lighter and give a better ride due to their ability to absorb shocks. Solid core tires are not prone to flats but give a stiffer ride but also wear much longer. Air filled tires will need to be checked often. Again depending on the use or your scooter such as indoors or out and the surfaces you travel on will determine what tires you travel on.

When considering scooters for mobility look at all your options. Check with Medicare or your medical insurance to find out if your covered before you buy. When you have reviewed all you options and done all your research you will find that shopping for a new or used mobility scooter is easy.

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How to Move to Subsidized Senior Housing

Have you reached aged 55 and have been contemplating about the prospect of moving into subsidized senior housing? Many seniors have moved to subsidized senior housing after retiring because of the convenience and senior activities.

There are several pros associated with moving into subsidized senior housing such as being in a community where everyone has similar passions and ideas. Also, communities usually have activities geared towards the senior residents so your time living in subsidized senior housing should be interesting.

When you want to move into subsidized senior housing, it is of the utmost importance that you find one in which you will like. Ask the housing complexes that you visit about the activities and services that they offer. Find out if the community is a social environment.

Although you want to find the perfect subsidized senior housing for yourself, you also need to think about how much you can afford to pay in rent. If a subsidized senior housing has a lot to offer then you can expect to pay a matching price for it. Find a subsidized senior housing that has what you want but not extraneous things that will bankrupt you.

When you have finished your calculation and figured out exactly how much you can pay for subsidized senior housing, start looking for them online. There are a few websites you can use to find subsidized senior housing. These sites let you search according to what you want in subsidized senior housing.

If using the internet is not your thing, you can ask around your buddies who are living in subsidized senior housing for a place that they recommend. Nothing beats moving into subsidized senior housing along with your friends.

Before you move into any subsidized senior housing, you should always check the reviews on the complex. You can see these reviews online. Usually people will put reviews about their subsidized senior housing expressing whether they like or dislike the place.

Finally, it is very important to find subsidized senior housing that you will like and want to move into. If you are planning on retiring there, you could be staying there a good couple of years. So move into a good place and avoid the hassle of changing to another place later.

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A Dummies Guide To Retirement Savings Plans

Have you ever thought of a continuing care retirement community after retiring? Retirees in a continuing care retirement community are often well catered for. From shelter, to food to health care. In most cases, they have nothing to complain about.

Do you know that studying can help you greatly after your retirement? Yes, it can. For one, it will enable you keep yourself busy. In addition, you may discover new knowledge that could be another breakthrough in your life.

Most people cry when they hear about retirement. This happens when they fail to plan for it. If you are able to plan well for your retirement, there won’t be any cause to worry. So, if you are one of those without a plan for your retirement, you better start now.

Consultant services stands out when it comes to retirement planning. With them, you can achieve your lifestyle goals and live happily. All you need do is seek out a reputable consultant services and you will have no cause for regrets.

Spend less than you earn if you want to save for your retirement. This is one success tip you must never overlook. Borrowing and spending when your earning is not even enough can only be disastrous.

If you don’t plan your retirement, you can be sure that you will not enjoy a moment of it the instant it starts. Planning your retirement entails looking at a lot of things; location, lifestyle, retirement funds and the rest.

When you retire, you can go back to school to get that degree in whatever it is that you have always wanted to have. It’s never too late to study and besides, you may discover a totally new side to yourself in the process.

For most people who hate the word retirement, I have a piece of information that can change their negative view. Retirement is not a death sentence – it is simply a new phase of your life that offers even better benefits if you plan well. At least, you have your whole time on your hands to do as it please you.

Investing for Retirement

Retirement may be a long way off for you – or it might be right around the corner. No matter how near or far it is, you’ve absolutely got to start saving for it now. However, saving for retirement isn’t what it used to be with the increase in cost of living and the instability of social security. You have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!

Let’s start by taking a look at the retirement plan offered by your company. Once upon a time, these plans were quite sound. However, after the Enron upset and all that followed, people aren’t as secure in their company retirement plans anymore. If you choose not to invest in your company’s retirement plan, you do have other options.

First, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement. Just simply let your money grow overtime, and when certain investments reach their maturity, reinvest them and continue to let your money grow.

You can also open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). IRA’s are quite popular because the money is not taxed until you withdraw the funds. You may also be able to deduct your IRA contributions from the taxes that you owe. An IRA can be opened at most banks. A ROTH IRA is a newer type of retirement account. With a Roth, you pay taxes on the money that you are investing in your account, but when you cash out, no federal taxes are owed. Roth IRA’s can also be opened at a financial institution.

Another popular type of retirement account is the 401(k). 401(k’s) are typically offered through employers, but you may be able to open a 401(k) on your own. You should speak with a financial planner or accountant to help you with this. The Keogh plan is another type of IRA that is suitable for self employed people. Self-employed small business owners may also be interested in Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP). This is another type of Keogh plan that people typically find easier to administer than a regular Keogh plan.

Whichever retirement investment you choose, just make sure you choose one! Again, do not depend on social security, company retirement plans, or even an inheritance that may or may not come through! Take care of your financial future by investing in it today.

Fun Retirement Gag Gifts

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Retirement is a very exciting time in someone’s life. They are moving on to bigger and better things that don’t involve the routine of going to work five days a week. To help someone as they head off on this road you can offer them some really fun retirement gag gifts. They can also lighten up the mood because it can be a very emotional time for someone who is going to be leaving behind the people and the space they have known for so long.

One really fun retirement gag gift is to give them a couple of lottery tickets in their card. Of course one of them will be a winner but a fake winner of quite a large prize. The verdict is still out on this particular retirement gag gift though. Some people think it is too mean as it really does get their hopes up. Yet if your gift is one that they take after they have seen other gag gifts that day they will likely catch on to it relatively quick.

There are games such as retirement BINGO and to do lists for retired individuals. They will likely hope their spouse doesn’t get a hold of that one though. They will fill it up with things for the individual to do that they haven’t had time to complete before. There are even candies in bottles that say Retirement Pills on them.

You can decide to give someone a retirement gag gift if you wish. In fact some whole parties are with this theme in mind. If the retirement party is for someone you don’t know very well though you should be cautious. You don’t want to offend someone and you do want to be careful in the work environment. Yet if it is a friend or a family member you will have a better idea of what they will find to be funny and enjoyable.

There is definitely a great selection of retirement gag gifts out there to so take some time to look around. You can buy individual pieces or a gift bag that has a full set of them. You can get them online or at novelty stores. Chances are you will have as much shopping for such merchandise as you will giving it to them.

Sell Retirement Annuity For Lump Sum Payment

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The average life expectancy is now higher than ever because of advancements in technology and medical treatments. Because of this, lifetime annuities are being used to fund a person’s retirement. It is important to note that there are basically two kinds of lifetime annuities namely the fixed type and the variable type. Some people decide to sell retirement annuity early on because they need instant cash. But before we look into that, it is essential to understand what annuity investments really are.

The variable annuity is a good investment option for people who want to have retirement savings because the interest rates of this annuity are dependent on the market rates. For example, you can choose to put money in stocks, in bond, in other money market options, and in real estate. The variable option also offers tax deferral through the use of insurance policies. And it is notable that the underlying benefit of variable annuity is on the capital gains from the investment amount because it is not subject to tax.

Annuity payments are definitely a good way to have monthly income during your retirement. But there are cases wherein you will need cash immediately; you cannot wait for the scheduled annuity payments that regularly arrive. It is a good thing then that you are given the option to sell your retirement annuity for lump sum amount. Selling your retirement annuity payments can enable you to get the money you need right when you need it most.

A lot of people hesitate before making the decision to sell their retirement annuity because the security they used to enjoy will no longer be there. However, it is important to realize that selling your retirement annuity do have a lot of benefits especially when you need cash immediately. What matters is that you have the option to convert your annuity to cash so that when the need arises, you can cash in on your investments.

There are also some people who invest in annuity early on but decide that waiting for the monthly structured payment is not for them. This is because various life changes can occur and some individuals find the steady stream of monthly income restricting because they cannot increase the amount of payments they receive. In addition, some people decide to change their estate plans and find out that their retirement annuity does not fit into their plan.

As you can see, there are definitely advantages in selling your retirement annuity especially if you find better opportunities for your money elsewhere. For example, some people discover that there are more profitable options in which they can put their capital on while some people just decide that they want to diversify their investments.

If this is the case for you, it is important for you to find an annuity buyer who will give you a reasonable lump sum payment for your retirement annuity. Remember that you are not only cashing in on your investment at this point, you will also be giving up the security of having a steady monthly income in the future. You must decide if it would be a good decision for you over the long term of sell retirement annuity.

But whatever you decide, one thing is certain, you need to make sure that you are making the right decision when you sell retirement annuity. This is the ensure that you will enjoy the fruits of your investments and not have any regrets later on.

Seven Reasons to Hire a Retirement Coach

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If you’ve been out there for awhile researching retirement, reading up on it, surfing the net, talking to anyone who will listen, you’ve probably been told you need a Retirement Coach. False, false, false! You absolutely, positively do not NEED a Retirement Coach, but you may very well WANT one, because she (or he) can help you:

1. Get Clear. If you’re lucky enough to know exactly what you want in this next stage, skip to number two. But if, like many, you find yourself confused by too many choices to make, and/or clueless as to what you really want to be doing, you’re not alone. Face it. There are too few good role models to follow, so you find yourself pioneering scary new territory. Add to that, the fact that you have a blank canvas, but don’t know where to begin to discover what you want to put on it. A good Retirement Coach will take you on a journey of self-discovery to define your values, dreams, desires, and goals.

2. Overcome What Stops You. You may know what’s stopped you from achieving what you’ve really wanted before, but do you have the tools to move through it this time? It may be fear, or negativity, or a lack of confidence that stops you. Or perhaps your environment doesn’t support how you want to live. Or you’re lacking the energy required to dance into that new life. Your Retirement Coach will provide you with the tools you need to conquer fear, beat negativity, build confidence, clear your environment, rescue energy, and more.

3. Design a Step-by-Step Action Plan. Or, a series of action plans if you’re retiring more than one aspect of your life and reinventing it. A good Retirement Coach knows the basics of what needs to be in place in order for you to thrive in this new life, and will make sure you incorporate them into your plan. She’ll also help you break your plan into small enough chunks, so you don’t end up paralyzed by overwhelm.

4. Actually Take Action. A Retirement Coach will hold you accountable for what you say you want, what you say you’ll do, and when you say you’ll do it. Don’t discount this one. Of all the benefits of coaching – and there are many – this is one of the most valuable.

5. Keep Moving Ahead. Your Retirement Coach keeps you on-track, helps you out of the ditch when you derail, and encourages tiny baby steps when needed, steady movement most of the time, and giant leaps when you’re ready. She’ll also be there when you need a swift kick-in-the-pants.

6. Stay Focused. You most likely already know it’s not easy staying focused on your dreams. Think of the gazillions of distractions out there – some real, most self-made. A Retirement Coach helps you clear the decks of distractions, so you can keep your eye on the prize.

7. Get All the Support You Need. Being “coached” by your spouse, a friend, or a family member may seem like a good idea, but beware. They may have a hidden agenda. A Retirement Coach does not. Your agenda is her agenda. She’ll listen, encourage, support, and empower you. She’ll hold your vision and she’ll generously share valuable resources with you. And, if she’s really good, she’ll hold your feet to the fire.

Could you make this transition successfully on your own? Sure. The truth is there isn’t anything a Retirement Coach can do for you that you can’t do for yourself. The big question is – will you do it? And if you do, will you get the result you really want? If you choose to work with the right Retirement Coach, you’ll move farther faster, get better results, and have a whole lot more fun along the way.

6 Ways To Become Credit Debt Free!!!

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by Doc Schmyz

In order to get out of credit card debt takes perseverance and willingness to succeed. So whether or not you are being swallowed by the sink hole of credit card debt or you are just starting out to dig yourself into credit card debt – you have to take action before it’s too late in order to be come debt free.

The six tips listed below will help you get out of credit card debt…if you use them.

1. Stop using your cards – By using your credit cards you are paying additional interest on the credit card balance you owe on which you’ve already been charged interest. Unless you pay the new charges when you are billed you are accumulating additional interest on both present and past charges. (Don’t you love credit companies…and yes this is legal for them to do.)

2. Figure out how much credit card debt is costing you. How you may ask! You can find out how much credit card debt is costing you by seeing how much interest rate you have to pay. This is done by reading the fine print on your latest credit card statement. If you do not understand then you call your credit card company and have them explain it to you. (By law they have to explain it to you.)

3. Lower your interest rate you are currently paying on your credit cards. Lowering your interest rate is the most effective and easiest way to get your credit card debt problem under control. You can lower the interest rate you are paying by transferring high interest rate amount balances to lower or no interest credit cards. Once you’ve stopped using your credit card you’ve stopped your situation from getting worst, it’s now time for you to improve it.

4. Call your credit card companies and tell them to lower your interest rates. Since you already know the interest rates it is time for you to ask your banks and credit card companies to lower the interest rates. You should call them and ask to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor has the authority to give you a lower interest rate.

This is what you tell them: The rates are too high and you want it lowered. And also let them know that if they are not willing to lower your interest rate you are considering to close your account and transfer all your credit card balances to the company that is willing to give you the lowest interest rate.

5. Consolidate your credit card debts – transferring all credit card balances to one credit card – is an effective way of getting out of credit card debts. So when negotiating to get a lower interest rate you should let it be known that your ultimate goal is to get out of credit card debt at the lowest possible cost and not credit card shuffling.

6. Cut your savings in half. It would be foolish to be paying high interest rates while continuing to save the usual amount, if you are indeed saving. Once you have removed the credit debt you can actually increase your savings by adding the former “credit payment” to your savings account. (You will be amazed at how much it will grow your savings.

It works like this. Get all your credit card balances. Divide each balance by the minimum amount you are required to pay each month. This tells you how long it would take to pay off each balance. Start by paying off the one that takes the least amount of time (half your savings + minimum payment). Continue making minimum payments on the rest. When that least payment is finished you would pay the next least payment and so on. You would continue using this tactics until you are no longer in debt.

If you follow the above tips and tactics you should be on your way to getting out credit card debts in very short order.

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Doc Schmyz has invested all over the US. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find Real estate investing information by state

Retirement Income Plan

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Most people will work a lot of years and will expect to be able to relax after retirement. That one day is a very important event but it is also one that requires proper planning. The need of a retirement income plan is more visible now than ever. A pension is usually not enough to handle the lifestyle standards you had when you were working and there is always the possibility that you might need to retire earlier than predicted. This will also bring a lower pension so we all need to be prepared. A good retirement income plan is the key of having that life you want when you retire. You can easily achieve this based on your savings. It is not enough to save money as you also need to invest in order to make everything grow. A good retirement income plan is usually based on pension, possible social security and financial investments.

The concept you need to think about when talking about a good retirement income plan is not difficult. You need to invest some of your savings in a good and safe income annuity and the rest in various stock and bond funds. You will thus gain a steady income every month from annuity payments while more money is generated because of the other investments. This type of retirement income plan is usually enough to create a steady flow of money that is enough for you to live off for over 30 years. There are different investment companies that can aid you and there is a big chance you will need that help because few of us are specialists in investments. By signing a contract with such a company you will get professionals to invest for you and you are a lot surer of the financial benefits than if you were to invest alone. Good retirement income plans are usually based on investments done through specialists or on building a business of your own.

First on the list is thinking about your retirement income plan and realizing the amount you want to put in annuity. In most cases this is something between 25% and 50% of your entire savings amount. The rest of the money is to be diversified in stocks and bonds. The amount of money you will invest in annuity in your retirement income plan is based on how much guaranteed income you will need besides your pension and possible Social Security help. You need to go after a fixed annuity and avoid the variable plans as you will get growth out of the rest of the money. Compare the options offered by different companies and then stick to one that bests suits your needs. The second part of your retirement income plan, the investment, is one that is a little tricky. You will have to invest aggressively in order to generate a long term growth but you must also be careful not to overdue it and lose money when stocks drop. Choosing a good company to deal with the stock and bond investments part of your retirement income plan is recommended.

Building a good retirement income plan is not easy and does need some time to properly figure out what you are going to do. You can live off your investments but that does not mean you will not need a proper strategy behind them. Every year you will need to recalculate the amounts used in investments and the profit generated in the previous year must be divided between what you need to take out for personal reasons and how much you can afford to re-invest and add to the amount you are already utilizing. Good retirement income plans will provide increasing amounts in both the money you take out and the money you put back in while increasing your lifestyle quality.