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The good news about retirement is that advances in science, technology, and living standards have led to longer life expectancies. You can expect longer retirement years than previous generations, which means more time with family and friends and more time to achieve your lifelong aspirations.
Remember to include your family in your retirement planning. They need to know your wishes, especially in regard to topics such as long-term care. Your family can be a great resource for further information and, more importantly, of support.
Good planning will help you avoid the pitfalls that many retirees face, giving you peace of mind as well as a greater probability of a comfortable retirement.
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 Forms:
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 Additional Information:
Health SPD
DB Pension SPD/Plan Document
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 Planning Notes:
Most people who go through the process of planning for end-of-life issues find the experience valuable. We know that lifespans are continuing to increase, but regardless of your present state of health, the beginning of the later stages of life is the time to make plans for what you know to be inevitable. In addition to the list of standard items below, you may wish to look into prearranging (and even prepaying) for your funeral. This will be one less burden for your survivors to deal with. Another important chore is to make sure that all of your vital documents are organized intelligibly, with lists of their locations. Here is a link to a documents organizer to get you started.
Long-term care can become a significant issue in the later stages of life. You should determine whether obtaining insurance for this contingency is appropriate for you. Don't delay in the hopes that prices will come down -- the cost of this insurance only goes up as you age.
Please review the following list and consult the appropriate professionals to help you complete your planning as appropriate for your own circumstances.
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 External Related Links:
(These are listed for your convenience. The sites and the contents
of the sites are not sponsored or endorsed by your benefit plans.
Use them at your own risk.)
- Social Security - The Social Security homepage offers education on how your retirement
benefits are figured, how social security may change in the future, how
it's financed, and other basic facts and figures. Check this site on how to
apply for your benefits, how to appeal these benefits, and everything else
regarding social security.
- Edelman Financial Center - The Edelman Financial Center provides advice on retirement planning.
Articles address how to roll over accounts, how to avoid paying penalties,
retiring at a young age, and more. Links to a financial calculator, books
and tapes by Ric Edelman, and other websites.
- Yahoo Retirement - Learn about the major retirement basics such as 401ks, Keoghs, pensions,
and IRAs. Devise your own individualized retirement strategy by using
their Retirement Plan calculator tool.
- Nolo Retirement - Information on retirement plans, benefits, estate planning, and
long-term healthcare. There is also a section on the personal concerns of
retirement.
- Medicare - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers Medicare, the nation's largest health insurance program, which covers nearly 40 million Americans. This link provides information on enrollment and eligibility for Medicare.
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