Living a Balanced Retirement

When most people think of retirement planning, they think primarily of the financial aspects of retirement.   How much will I spend each month?  How much money do I need to have accumulated to create an income large enough to cover those expenses?  When should I claim my Social Security benefits?  Will I outlive my money?

As important as the financial aspect of retirement is, there are actually five major aspects of retirement to be considered: Financial, Health, Friends and Family, Home, and Purpose.  Each of these must be in balance and attention focused on ensuring a successful retirement.

Without good health we have nothing.  How will you stay active and healthy in retirement?   Annual physical exams and an exercise regimen are essential to maintaining a long-term retirement.  A healthy active schedule can also help to reduce medical expenses and the need for long-term care and increase mental agility.

Friends and Family are an important support system and can also help to maintain an active lifestyle.  Maintaining relationships with friends and family can add years to your life expectancy and makes life worth living.  Do you have the support of family and friends in planning your retirement?  Can you maintain friendships made during your working years?  Will you make new friends while engaged in new retirement activities?

Home is where the heart is.  Having a plan for where you will live and deciding on the best type of housing for your lifestyle is essential to a successful retirement.   Will you keep your single-family home, condo, or apartment?  Will you stay in your present community or will you move?  Is your home mortgage-free?  Will your home need repairs or modifications over your retirement years that need to be funded?  Should you consider an adult continuing care community?  All of these decisions should be considered prior to your retirement date.

Purpose is what really keeps us going.  Do you have a passion in life?  Is there some cause or organization that you care deeply about?  This is the motivator that each day drives you to get out of bed and continue to contribute to the planet.  It links all the other aspects of retirement together.  It links family and friends together with healthy lifestyles.  It links you to your home community and provides a sense of well-being.

If you and your life savings are being ignored or feeling taken advantage of, come join our family. We are a family-owned financial planning and investment advisory firm who promise to treat you like family. No products. No hard sell. No gimmicks. Just honest advice based on four decades of experience.