From the category archives:

Retirement

Top of World / En la Cima
Creative Commons License photo credit: pasotraspaso

You have worked and planned for that glorious day when you could kick back, travel, golf, fish and simply do what you wanted.  But things happened.

Your 401(k) turned into a 201(k) and has grown back to a 301(k).  You have learned that your nest egg is vulnerable and volatile, making your life of leisure sound like a life of anxiety.  And now you realize that you are going to need some part time work during your retirement to stretch the maximum years from that nest egg.

Take a challenge

Sure you are disappointed, but instead of lamenting your circumstances, I challenge you to take advantage of them.  By redefining your retirement, you could be in for your most exciting and fulfilling years.  The best, for you, is yet to come.

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Senior Citizen Roast
Creative Commons License photo credit: batsignal

Have you been tracking the buzz that our government is considering the takeover of our retirement funds?

There has been talk since last fall,  but, according to Money Morning, this talk is leading to action.  In late January, both the U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of Labor announced plans to stage a public-comment period before implementing regulations that would require U.S. savers to invest portions of their 401(k) savings plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) into annuities or other “steady” payment streams backed by U.S. government bonds.
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Is Your Money an Idol? Think Twice Before Answering.

January 22, 2010

photo credit: Itinerant Tightwad
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Surely Not Me
Paul was writing to a culture where people worshipped wood and stone statues. Of course the statues weren’t innately evil, but believing they had power to do only what God can do (good weather, good crops, give children, etc.) [...]

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Are You Eating Your Retirement?

January 4, 2010

photo credit: mtungate
I recently read two seemingly unrelated articles, which, when dovetailed together, become the basis for this post.
The first, a recent Principal Financial Well-Being survey, indicates that less than one third of Americans are setting aside what they think they need to for retirement.
The second, from the “The Culinary Review”, tabulated the following [...]

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What to do With $60,000

November 26, 2009

photo credit: h.koppdelaney
A reader asked me the following question:
“My parents, in their late 70’s, have no financial needs and a substantial emergency fund. In addition to the emergency savings, they also have $60,000 in a passbook savings account which they don’t know what to do with. They are not interested in taking much risk, [...]

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My Decision to Start Social Security Benefits Early

August 4, 2009

I had planned to hold off drawing my Social Security benefits until I was full retirement age, but things changed and I signed up two months ago at age 62 ½. Am I wishy-washy? Do I lack backbone? Well, maybe, but let me explain. Some of you may be going through [...]

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Are You Ready For Retirement?

July 8, 2009

photo credit: Alex E. Proimos
I am almost 62 years old. Am I ready to quit working and retire? Will Social Security take care of me?
Because Social Security income is intended to supplement other retirement income, it alone is not enough to take care of you. If you have no other income [...]

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No Retirement Plan and I’m 48 Years Old

July 6, 2009

photo credit: barbaranixon
Q: Joe, I am 48 years old and have not yet made any plans for my retirement.  I realize that I should have started years ago, so I am anxious to begin investing.  My wife and I have a good income ($7000 a month take home pay).  We also have $25,000 in [...]

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