Social Security Archives - Page 2 of 10 - Jerry Golden on Retirement

Wrapping up 2017 — and wishing for a retirement czar

December 28, 2017 By Jerry Golden in Social Security Tags: Annuities, retirement czar, retirement income, Social Security

An open letter to my U.S. senators:

Dear Senator,

I keep my preferences regarding Republican vs. Democrat to myself, but I have to admit I’ve never spent so much time talking about politics with my friends and spouse as I have in 2017. What a year!

As the country takes stock and we head into 2018, I would like to share my thoughts with you about retirement — the area of government I’m most interested in both professionally and personally. The question is what role should the government play in encouraging retirement savings and providing income, healthcare and long-term care for those who aren’t able to save enough?

Based on my experience and research, “retirement” ought to have a seat at the table and have someone represent the interests of current and future retirees. More

9 retirement planning trends that make us thankful

November 21, 2017 By Jerry Golden in Annuity, Miscellaneous Tags: 401(k), Annuities, Guaranteed Income, QLAC, Retirement planning trends, Social Security, Thanksgiving

As much as we look forward to the gathering around Thanksgiving, preparations for many of us include ticking off a mental list of what we cannot talk about for fear of igniting a feud in-between second helpings and dessert.

In the spirit of the holiday, I present a list of topics (about retirement of course) that fall into three categories:

Safe for dinner conversation.
Discuss only when Uncle Bob is out of the room.
Danger! Politics!

Whether you play it safe or plan to leave before the pie is served, here are nine retirement planning trends for which I am thankful this season. Please don’t blame me if some relatives at the table feel differently. More

6 Retirement Misconceptions

July 18, 2017 By Jerry Golden in Annuity Tags: Asset allocation, Baby Boomers, Guaranteed Income, retirement income, reverse mortgage, Social Security, taxes

In an effort to keep things simple for people who are nervous about retirement – whether they are 42 or 62 – conventional planning strategies focus on how to save and invest money. If you save X amount and invest wisely you will live happily for N years. That is how retirement misconceptions begin.

Saving is good but hard. Smart investing is good – and also quite difficult if the appropriate strategy is not deployed.

Hoping for the best as you draw down that savings to meet your budget in retirement – while absorbing the ups and downs of the stock market, inflation, medical and caregiver expenses – virtually ensures that you will remain nervous about your financial health up to and through retirement. More

The Retirement Gap

June 30, 2017 By Jerry Golden in Annuity Tags: Guaranteed Income, retirement gap, retirement income, Social Security

Planning for retirement is challenging enough when you have to consider questions like:

Did I save enough?
Can I stay in my house?
Can I afford to take market risk?
Will I need special care in my old age?

Most investors would not think that they had to worry about their retirement calculators and the plans produced by those calculators. But they might involve the greatest challenge of all.

The planning gap

10 retirement building blocks for a long, financially strong life

June 6, 2017 By Jerry Golden in Annuity, QLAC Tags: Annuities, Dependable spendable income, QLAC, retirement building blocks, retirement income, Social Security

In a world where political ideas come and go, trends surge and falter, revolutions bloom and then fade, a few foundational concepts for retirement remain true: Income is of prime importance, planning for your specific circumstances will increase your financial stability, most retirement calculators are seriously flawed, and you can lessen – but not eliminate – the burden of taxes.

We recently completed a survey of the advice I have offered in this space for the past five years. Here are 11 retirement building blocks that I expect will remain useful no matter how long your retirement lasts.