Are Baby Boomers Healthier Than Their Parents?

By Joseph Wilson

When it comes to baby boomer health, the individuals who are inching
their way towards retirement or have already stopped working are
displaying a disturbing trend showcasing poorer health than their
parents. Evidence suggests that the status of baby boomer health
paints the picture of health conscious, youthful looking people with
varying health concerns despite their increased knowledge of fitness,
diet, and physical conditioning.

Today, many surveys on baby boomers have revealed that they too view
their vitality as less than their parents possessed at the same age.
On the whole, as this particular generation ages, a higher incidence
of health problems concerning mobility has also been reported. Baby
boomers face a higher risk of encountering difficulty climbing a
flight of stairs, completing their daily routines, or getting out of a
sitting position with ease. Chronic health issues, such as
hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes are also glaring concerns
pertaining to the health of a baby boomer.

A distressing trend is growing where baby boomers are surpassing the
medical concerns of older generations. Despite the advancements in
medicine and science, increased knowledge of alternative medical
treatments, and easier access to information regarding health topics,
the progression of unhealthy trends are seriously hampering the
longevity of baby boomers.

One of the worst offenders is found in the rise in obesity, as 2/3 of
Americans are overweight, which adds to the weakening of joints,
muscles, and bones. The extra weight causes cholesterol levels and
blood pressure to skyrocket. An assortment of life-threatening health
problems also come into play. Ironically, the gym memberships that
baby boomers subscribe to don't even match the physical activity of
their parents (or even their grandparents) because their daily
routines are often confined to desk duty or involve constant travel by
car.

The typical picture of a baby boomer is often seen as an educated
individual full of health and vigor, yet not all people in the
generation attended college and not everyone follows a healthy
lifestyle. The higher levels of stress that older generations tended
not to face also contributes to the poor or failing health of a baby
boomer, as job security, unemployment, social security woes, increased
health care, the war, and busy schedules all have a more profound
effect.

The health of baby boomers differs from older generations because many
people are working two jobs, lacking sufficient sleep, facing unstable
life factors, take less time to relax, and have fewer social outlets.
On the other hand, life expectancy rates have continued to rise over
the years and disability rates are experiencing a steady drop.
Illnesses are receiving early diagnosis and treatment, as boomers are
also able to gain better control of conditions, such as heart disease
and diabetes.

In some cases, baby boomers will enter retirement healthier in certain
areas of medical concerns than their parents. For example, it is
proven that they are less likely to indulge in tobacco products, but
will still face a new crop of health concerns. A rise in dental,
hearing, and vision problems has been discovered. Now, baby boomers
are usually susceptible to obesity, Alzheimer's disease, chronic
health conditions, issues with drugs and alcohol, psychiatric
problems, and experience more pain.

Sadly, the health of a baby boomer is declining and this only means
more problems for society on a whole, as rising health care costs
reflect the elevated need for medical attention. Overall, despite
medical advancements, effective treatments, and better medical
education, the parents of baby boomers managed to stay more active,
face less health issues, and enter their golden years with fewer
problems than their children.

Joseph Wilson is a writer and baby boomer who enjoys providing advice
and tips on a wide variety of topics including baby boomer health and
baby boomer retirement planning

Retirement Financial Planning and Retirement Ideas

By Anthony J Smith

Too soon we get old, and too late we get smart is the old Yiddish
proverb. This applies to most people as they do retirement planning.
Retirement ideas range from imagining yourself living in a life of
luxury, playing golf, taking 9 month vacations, and enjoying life,
down to living in a retirement community where your basic needs are
taken care of. Failing to plan for your retirement can have very
negative consequences on the quality of your retired life.

To do proper retirement financial planning, you should start early –
that's the "too late smart" part of the proverb. You're getting older
every day – are you getting smarter? Fortunately, there are retirement
books that can help you with this. One of the most important is
"401(k) Basics" by Motley Fool publishing. It will steer you into how
to make the most of a company 401(k) plan, while taking an
unsentimental retirement view – telling you that there is no fast road
to riches, only steady, regular savings and investing will help ensure
you against retirement losses.

Your retirement benefits should contain a mix of growth funds early
on, wealth preservation funds and income generation tools as you age –
this can be found online through a number of retirement calculators,
and will help you plan the day when you can send your company your
retirement letters and say "I'll be on the golf course!" Most
retirement calculators are driven by an investing rule called the Rule
of 72 – take 72 and divide it by your rate of return in points (for
example, getting 6% on a savings account or CD) and that will tell you
how many years it takes for your investment to double. In this case,
72 divided by 6 is 12, meaning that sitting an investment down in a 6%
account means it will double in 12 years.

Remember that slow and steady contributions win the day; you can't
rush this later in life. Start early, invest everything you can afford
to, and know that your money is working for you in the long term. If
you're eligible for a 401(k) program, you should take it – it benefits
you in multiple ways, from employee matching (which doubles your
investment) to being take out of your paycheck before taxes (which is
fundamentally giving you a 20-35% increase in the net investment from
doing it in post-tax income) to tax deferral on the interest it
accrues. A 401(k) is by far and away the best retirement investment
vehicle possible.

One thing you should not count on is Social Security; due to changing
demographics, we're going to be disbursing more from Social Security
than it takes in in about 5 to 10 years, and the fund will literally
run out at the current rate of contributions in thirty years. Presume
that you're on your own and plan accordingly.

For further ideas on retirement, check out the advice at
http://retirementinformation4u.com.

Anthony Smith is a 1978 graduate of the Ohio State School of Business.
Read all Anthony's articles on Health Insurance at:
http://healthinsuranceinfo4u.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_J_Smith

Retirement Planning For Baby Boomer's: Three Reasons to Plan Even If You Don't Want to Retire

By David Skill

Many Baby Boomers love their work and can't imagine ever giving up
their career. Others are making great money and would not retire
because they would be sacrificing too much financially. DO NOT use
either as an excuse not to plan for retirement.

Regardless of how you feel about your career, how much money you're
making or if you think you would be bored in retirement; you need to
determine how much wealth you need to retire. It is your duty to the
rest of your family to try and achieve financial independence. Here
are three reasons why:

Circumstances Change: You may love your boss, your company, make great
money and work in a hot industry. Remember, everything goes through
cycles. In a few years your industry may be in a vicious down cycle
and you may find yourself without work. Maybe it has never happened to
you, but it happens all the time. Remember the high-flying housing
market? Remember what happened in Telecommunications in 2001?

Accident or Illness: You aren't bullet-proof anymore. You could have
an accident that makes it physically impossible to continue working at
the job you love. An illness like cancer could change your job
situation overnight.

Attitudes Change: Sometimes people change their attitudes about what
they are doing. Maybe a spouse gets ill, children leave home, or you
just get tired of being on airplanes every week.

One of the basic tenets of planning for anything is being prepared to
implement plan 'B' in case plan 'A' fails. You owe it to yourself and
other family members to plan for a day you are not working any longer.
Determine how much money it takes to retire. Execute your plan to make
sure you achieve wealth and independence. Once you have it, continue
to do what you want to do. If change is forced on you, maybe you will
realize you are still capable of being bullet-proof after all...good
luck.

David Skill, a 'Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor' has created
an easy retirement system that enables conscientious baby boomers to
determine how much money they need to retire. David asks all the vital
questions, uses common language and plenty of examples so the
participant builds confidence their money will last through retirement
and they will not burden their children. Check out >>>>>>>>>
http://babyboomerseasyretirement.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Skill

Supplemental Income for Retirement Plans

By Nathalie Fiset

When you were working, you made sure you saved a particular amount in
order for you to be set for retirement. Therefore, it only makes sense
that the supplemental retirement plan you acquire consider the
flexible aspect of the retirement income including the Social Security
and the Master Retirement Plan.

As a paying customer, what must you do in order to maximize the
savings accumulation and get the most of your benefits during your
retirement?

The key to knowing what to do regarding this delicate matter is "information.

It is very important that you learn everything there is to be learned
before you make decisions and do any action. You must ensure that you
have enough income and your benefits are flexible to accommodate the
purchases you make or the activities you do during your retirement.

We suggest that you gather all information of your employer-offered
retirement benefits at the BYU Benefits Office, TIAA-CREF or the DMBA.
After illuminating yourself with all there is you need to know, then
you are confident enough to make an informed decision.

In your retirement, you will have to be concerned about financial
challenges. Do not be daunted by this. The more anxious you are of
this matter, the graver the problem will become. If you are retired
and your money is limited, you are not sure where you will get your
next paycheck just in case an emergency arises. Therefore, in choosing
the income plan retirement and supplemental benefits, you have to be
the wisest that you can get in your lifetime.

Here are some concerns you should turn your attention to:

1. The number of years that you will be needing your income. Studies
show that Americans live longer every year.

2. Inflation can become a problem to retirees. The costs of services
and goods will double during your retirement. The main concern you
should have is the healthcare costs.

3. Stated in American law, after reaching your 70th year, you are
required to withdraw a specific amount from the tax-deferred funds you
have been incurring every year since your retirement. This is
associated to the TIAA-CREF funds that reduces the savings you have
accumulated and disrupts your investments.

But the good part about this retirement phase is that you have all the
time in the world to invest. In fact, this is what most retirees do
when they find themselves in that phase. Since they do not have to go
to work, they concentrate and focus on their investments.

Here are some main investment objectives that will help you reach your
financial goal:

1. You must prioritize security above anything else. There are options
that you can select upon making investment choices which allow you to
protect your savings just in case there is the need to get some form
of income during your retirement.

2. You must consider the flexibility of the retirement plan and the
supplementary benefits. Go for the ones that do not lock in during the
fixed pay-out rates.

3. You must protect yourself from inflation. Make sure that the funds
you obtain are free from interest and cannot be offset by the
inflation rate.

By seeking the assistance of the TIAA-CREF or the DMBAA, you will be
able to have the following options during your retirement:

1. Status Quo
Your funds will keep on earning interest. You can structure your
investments in such a way that your accumulated funds are protected
from inflation 2. Turning investments over to financial planners
You will pay for the management fees and the load charges if you
decide to roll your savins to another account. 3. Withdrawals
These minimize taxation. 20% is withheld for your taxes. Make sure to
check on the plan withdrawal restrictions. 4. Systematic Withdrawals
TIAA-CREF gives you the option to set up a fixed and regularized
withdrawal process. You may choose among monthly, quarterly or
annually. 5. Annuity Income
Your retirement plan must provide you with monthly income depending on
the life expectancy of your preference. Annuity income is an option
you must take advantage of.

For more complete information on retirement please go to:
http://www.accessibleretirement.com/Income-Plan-Retirement-Supplemental.html
http://www.accessibleretirement.com
http://www.drnathaliefiset.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Roth IRA Investing Basics - Financial Planning and Wealth Building for Your Retirement

By Kelly Lucas

A Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement savings Account best known for
providing tax free earnings growth and tax free retirement
distributions. Individuals can contribute up to $4000 a year ($5000 if
50 and older) from after-tax dollars, and in return may receive tax
free retirement income, provided all rules are met.

KEY POINT: In order to receive tax free retirement distributions:

1) you must be 59 1/2

AND

2) your Roth IRA must be at least 5 years old.

Hint: A Roth IRA is not an advisable investment option if you plan to
retire within the next 5 years.

Roth vs Traditional: What makes the Roth IRA different from a Traditional IRA?

KEY DIFFERENCES:

Roth IRA: Pay Taxes Now, Not Later:The Roth IRA is Tax-Exempt
--meaning retirement income is tax free.

Contributions come from After-Tax dollars (not deductible)

Retirement Distributions are Not Taxed (when rules are met)

IRA Investment Earnings Grow Tax Free

No required Distributions (you never have to use the money)

Has Income Restrictions

No Age Restrictions (can make contributions at any age)

The Traditional IRA is Tax-Deferred = Pay taxes later

Contributions come from Pre-Tax dollars (tax deductible)

Retirement Distributions are Taxed at a future Tax Rate (when
distributions are taken)

IRA Investment Earnings Grow Tax Deferred

Required to Take Distributions by age 701/2

Has age restrictions (Can no longer contribute after age 701/2)

No Income Restrictions

2007 Roth IRA Contributions

How Much Can I Contribute to my Roth IRA?

In general, the maximum amount an individual can contribute to a Roth
IRA is $4000 ($5000 if age 50 or older) in a single year. The specific
time frame for making 2007 contributions is from January 1, 2007 to
April 15, 2008.

You can contribute up to 100% of your earned income or $4000 ($5000 if
50 or older), whichever is less, MINUS any other IRA contributions you
made the same year.

For instance, if you made $58,000 in 2007 and contributed $3000 to
your other IRAs (excluding any employer sponsored plans), you are now
eligible to contribute only $1000 to a Roth IRA.

Or let's say you only made $2400 in 2007. You can only contribute
$2400 to your Roth IRA, provided you made no other IRA contributions
in 2007.

Earned income: is any compensation you received for providing a
service or product. It does not include investment income from
interest, dividends, or capital gains.

HINT: Alimony that is taxable is also included in calculating earned income.

2007 Income Limits

The income guidelines for contributing to a Roth IRA are as follows:

1. To be eligible for making the maximum contribution of $4000, your
modified AGI cannot exceed $99,000 if you are single, or $156,000 if
married and filing jointly.

2. Your contribution is reduced if your modified AGI falls between
$99,000 and 114,000 for singles, and between $156,000 and $166,000 if
married filing jointly.

3. If filing married with a separate return AND lived together for any
part of the year, the income restriction is severely limited. The full
contribution is permitted if your income is zero dollars. A partial
contribution is permitted if your income falls between Zero and
$10,000.

Establishing a Roth IRA

Anyone can open a Roth IRA and the process is very simple. Banks,
Insurance Companies, On line Brokers, and other financial firms
typically offer Roth IRAs in addition to other types of IRAs. When
opening an IRA you will need to designate it as a Roth IRA. . (For
more info, see "How to Set Up An IRA: A Step by Step Guide") You can
also rollover or convert your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.

Tax Implications: Planning for the future

There are basically two schools of thought regarding IRAs and tax
consequences. The first school of thought says the traditional IRA is
the way to go because when you retire you will have less income to be
taxed, thus a greater tax savings. The second school of thought says
hey, we don't have a crystal ball to know what the future tax rates
will be, but we do know they will be higher than they are now. These
people find the Roth IRA to be the most attractive choice because
paying taxes today may mean saving a bundle of taxes later, when you
can least afford it.

Then there are folks who realize the world is not black and white and
will seek a mixed bag of Traditional and Roth IRAs to round out the
tax consequences in retirement. It really comes down to individual
circumstances and personal goals.

The Roth 401k

In conclusion, let us give thanks to the late former Senator from
Delaware, William V Roth. He pushed for the creation of the Roth IRA
and finally in 1998 it made its first appearance. And, you guessed it,
the Roth IRA has now evolved into a 401k, which was first introduced
in 2006. The Roth 401k is sure to gain popularity just as the Roth IRA
did when it was first introduced.

Author Kelly Lucas, is a successful Freelance Writer with a specialty
in writing web copy and content utilizing the most advanced and up to
date optimization techniques. Her first book is expected to be
released and available for purchase in early 2008: "A Web Content
Style Guide: Web Content Optimization"

www.WebContentWritingServices.com

Find out more about Kelly's Writing Services and Web Promotion
Services. Consultations are always free and prices are the most
affordable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Lucas

Where IS the Ideal Place To Retire?

By Charlotte Demontigny

As I headed out to East Hampton (my first mini-vacation since I
retired last September), I began to wonder what it would be like to
have enough money to comfortably afford a small home in East Hampton.
Of course, there is no such thing - but back in the days when I
planned my vacations here every year, I enjoyed the antique shops,
book stores, fabulous cuisine, and the peace and serenity this
wonderful place offered.

Over ten years have passed and I have noticed a change in my
surroundings. Now all of East Hampton and its surrounding villages
have become the home of the rich and famous….well, in some cases, not
so famous.

As I drove into my favorite vacationing spot, I felt an immediate calm
cover me like a warm blanket and it felt good to be home again. Even
though my days spent here were not as long as they used to be,
nonetheless, the room was the same; the patio was the same, but the
landscape had changed somewhat. Although impeccably manicured, the
lawn and the trees didn't invite the species of birds I remembered,
nor did the squirrels seek as many chances to come out into the open
as much as they had before. Even the family of bunnies never showed
their cute faces. As I sat on my veranda and looked out at the beauty
of nature, it all seemed too familiar and offered nothing new, nor did
it bring me solace as it once did.

What was missing? Perhaps I had outgrown this tiny town or perhaps it
had outgrown me. I thought about ideal places to retire and I suppose
if one could afford it, this would be the ideal place. More than that,
however, I thought about other places I had been in my life and
wondered if I could take that step and retire to another city,
country, or island.

Most of the places I had been were just as expensive to live in, while
there were other places which could afford me the opportunity to live
comfortably and continue to participate in those areas of my life that
are important such as reading, writing, music, and nature.

In researching the many ideal places to retire, I found college towns
to be quite within my means. Quaint towns where neighbors actually
greet each other, participate in community affairs, and take advantage
of university classes as well as other activities which not only
enhance but enrich one's life. Coming from a suburb in a big city, one
could very easily get lost if one wanted to. In college towns,
however, I suppose you can hide, but not for long. The student life,
the rich history of the city, or the close knit community is not only
enticing but offers a glimpse into what can be and not what one merely
settles for.

As I left East Hampton, I knew I would not return. I drove slowly
through the town with all of the expensive shops and restaurants,
antique stores, and specialty stores and thought while this is a nice
place to visit – it is not the ideal place to retire.

As we grow older, (retirement is not mutually exclusive to age), it
seems we should look for an ideal place to retire that feels like
home, where we have no qualms about meeting new people or becoming
interested in new things. Home is wherever you are; all of you – mind,
body, and soul.

So for all future retirees who are thinking of relocating to an ideal
place to retire, keep looking for that one place that when you arrive
– you too feel the calm of a warm blanket cover you on a winter's day.
No whistles; no brass bands, just the comfort and serenity you feel as
you settle into your ideal place to retire. Then you will instantly
know you are home.

Charlotte Demontigny
Web Master
Ideal Places to Retire - Inexpensive to Exotic

http://www.ideal-places-to-retire.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Demontigny

Retirement Communities - What Are My Options?

By Aj Yeakel

If you're 55 or over, you now have a plethora of retirement living
options. In anticipation of millions of baby boomers entering
retirement within the next few years, new retirement communities are
cropping up across the nation. These retirement communities are
generally broken down into the following five categories:

• Active Adult Communities
Resembling resorts, these are generally gated, low maintenance homes,
villas or condominiums designed to offer active adults everything they
need to enjoy their retirement years. Units are often single-level and
universally accessible. Amenities might include a clubhouse, health
and fitness center, indoor pool and outdoor pool, 18-hole golf course,
tennis courts, boat ramp/dock, movie theater, bowling alley and more.
The choices are growing; today there are even RV and affordable
manufactured home communities for active adults and communities for
gays and lesbians.

• Independent Living Communities
For those who want to live independently but do not want the hassle of
maintaining a home, independent living is a popular solution.
Independent living apartments and condominium units are becoming more
plentiful. Today's senior living communities include social centers
with wide range of social activities and amenities such as fitness,
classes, and trips and local transportation. While dining rooms are
common, many new communities even offer bistros, beauty salons,
libraries, massage-therapy,craft rooms, computer rooms, movie
theaters, game rooms, and chapels.

• Assisted Living Communities
These are for people needing assistance with the Activities of Daily
Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible for as
long as possible. Assisted Living communities bridge the gap between
independent living and nursing homes. Residents are not able to live
by themselves but do not require constant care. For these seniors,
assisted living facilities offer help with daily activities such as
eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with
medications. While many facilities have centers for medical care, the
care offered may not be as intensive or available to residents as the
care offered at a nursing home. Most assisted living facilities create
a service plan for each individual resident upon admission.

• CCRSs, Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Assisted living facilities are often connected with independent living
residences and nursing homes. The combination is known as a continuing
care retirement community. If you want to make your next move your
last, take a look at CCRCs (otherwise known as life care communities).
These long-term care alternatives provide a package of services,
including housing, health care and social services, to seniors. A CCRC
provides independent living units, either apartments, rooms or
cottages. Additionally, it guarantees a range of health care and
social services, which may include intermediate or skilled nursing
care, usually available on the premises. Generally a CCRC requires
some type of prepayment, generally an entrance fee and/or monthly
fees, and offers a contract that lasts for more than one year or for
life and that describes the service obligations of the community and
the financial obligations of the resident.

• Nursing Care Facilities
Nursing homes are designed to care for people that are not able to
care for themselves and have numerous health care requirements. Bottom
line: Whatever your needs and preferences, there is likely to be a new
retirement community with other seniors who share your interests and
an array of amenities in or near the location you prefer.

Are retirement communities right for you If you want to learn more
about your retirement options, click here or visit
http://www.afteriretire.com, a popular resource for retirement
planning information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aj_Yeakel

Retirement - Can You Afford It?

By Mandy Nield

Every day you work is one day closer to your retirement. But can you
afford to stop work? If you were unable to go to work for 6 months due
to illness or injury, would you still have enough income to support
yourself and your family? Even if you kept working, would you have
enough money put aside to comfortably retire after a hard lifetime of
work? If you kept working or doing as you're doing today, for the next
10 years, would you be in a better position to retire? Have you ever
calculated whether your superannuation or the pension is going to be
enough for you to retire on?

For most people these questions either remain unanswered or have
negative responses. Facts say that most people ARE NOT planning for
their retirement and if they are, they're not putting anywhere near
enough away to support themselves.

So where does that leave us all? What can we do about our plight?

Well, there is some great news. There is an investment vehicle that
can not only put cash in your pocket immediately, but also has a
proven track record of doubling its value every 7 – 10 years. What is
this golden investment? It's none other than PROPERTY.

Why real estate is such a great investment.

As I mentioned, if you CHOOSE YOUR PROPERTIES CAREFULLY, then you get:

1. A positive cash flow every month

2. Capital growth (in the long-term, every 7-10 years the property
doubles in value (approximately))

3. You get tax deductions for owning it e.g. interest on your loan,
depreciation, other deductible expenses

4. You can borrow/invest more than what you actually have (banks know
the secure value of property)

5. You can increase the value of your investment (if you choose to)

6. You can borrow against your investments if you like.

No other investment vehicle gives you these huge BENEFITS, PLUS the
added security that goes with it.

The key is CHOOSING YOUR PROPERTIES CAREFULLY. To do this you need to
be educated. There are many resources around to help you with these
decisions, just make sure you are learning from someone who has
already achieved what you want to achieve.

Mandy Nield The beginner's guide to creating a passive income through
investing in real estate, no matter how much you earn.
http://www.anyonecaninvest.com

I am an accountant and teacher by trade and have been successfully
investing in real estate for years now. I have the passion to teach
others what I know and to help them fulfil their dreams.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_Nield

Retirees Who Want To Increase Their Retirement Income

By Bill McCarthy

This article is for retirees who want to increase their retirement
income so they can enjoy more of what additional income brings during
retirement. I'm not talking about a job I'm talking about a change in
lifestyle.Not only "Can you snooze and not lose, you can win big".
This is a message to retirees who are looking for ways to help
supplement their retirement income. Just suppose you could find
something that could:

- Expand your lifestyle instead of downsizing.

- Give you an additional income of $100, $500,$ 2000 dollars a month
or maybe even a day.

- Let you earn while you sleep.

- Be your own boss.

- Not have to go to a job.

- Not have to make sales calls or be a telemarketer

- Not have to work for someone else

- Set your own hours

- Have flexible hours

- Conduct your business from anywhere

- Get paid for referrals

The problem

According to the AARP, 30 % of the people who retire will not have a
suitable income to support there retirement years and will continue to
work. Most of their income will go toward living expenses and
unexpected expenses like increased health care, property taxes, etc.
As this occurs do you make a decision to shrink your lifestyle or go
back to work to pay for the additional expenses.

It was interesting when I did the some research recently, I found that
there were few places on the internet that talked about expanding your
retirement lifestyle. Most talked about retirement planning, investing
for retirement, retirement communities, insurances for health care,
long term care, etc. but nothing about increasing your wealth after
you are retire.

In addition, newspapers, magazines, TV; and study after study talk
about how retirees are struggling to pay for increased health care,
taxes, etc. Bottom line many retirees are finding that they must find
a JOB usually at the minimum wage to keep up with the increased costs
of health care, taxes, etc. No wonder retirees are becoming depressed.
The government, the media, and our own thinking makes us feel "life is
difficult and having an enjoyable retirement is over". Well I here to
tell you it is not. But you are going to have change.

Change Our Way Of Thinking

As retirees we have to change our way of thinking. I can hear some of
you saying "No way I'm retired". But hear me out. There are three
important changes we must make. They are:

First, we have to change our way of thinking about retirement. The
traditional retirement thinker feels retirement means they have to
live on a fixed income of Social Security, 401k's, Ira's, and Company
retirement stipends, while grappling with increased costs in health
care, taxes, and increased utilities to name a few.

When we can't keep up with the increases we downsize our standard of
living or use the old "get a job" solution and go to work for Walmart,
Kmart, etc. to pay the bills. While all the time worrying about
whether we are making to much money and will have our SS reduced or
have to pay taxes.

Question ---- Why not become a Success Thinker and look for a way to
expand your lifestyle instead of thinking of downsizing.

Second, we don't have to live on our fixed income and make only enough
money to still qualify for our full Social Security benefit. The old
way of thinking is "We don't want to lose a dime to the government
because we deserve it after all these years of working and paying into
the system".

Question --- Why not build an internet business which could expand
your lifestyle instead of contracting it.

Third, we don't want to make so much money that we have to pay taxes
and have to pay back some of our retirement income (primarily Social
Security).

Question ---- If your lifestyle improves who cares.

A Better Solution

Well I'm here to tell you that there is a new lifestyle out there, if
you want to think outside the box and take the challenge of the 21st
Century. Look, retired people are smart, knowledgeable, and have
valuable talents, skills, and knowledge that others would want and pay
for, if the knew it was available.

The 21st Century has defined a new opportunity and what the term
"work" is, for those retirees who want to improve their lifestyle.
Technology has given the people who are retired an alternative to
living on a fixed income and watching their income erode based on a
higher cost of living. The alternative is running an internet business
from home, working for yourself, and even paying taxes when you are
successful. If you do it right and are successful at operating your
own online internet business your can improve your lifestyle rather
think about downsizing.

Let's spend a few minutes talking about starting and operating your
own successful internet business as a retiree.

First, I would rather spend my time developing my own business than
spending that same time working for a minimum wage at the local
superstore.

Second, I would rather spend my time developing an internet business
which produces income 24 hours/day and 7 days/week, rather than
operating a store which requires a lease, inventory, employees, etc.

Third, I would rather work hard in my own business, than work for
someone else's profit. In either case you are still going to work hard
so why not do it for yourself.

Finally we are talking about building a successful business here so
why not, as a retiree, build an internet business that expands your
lifestyle instead of trying to maintain your current situation which
is unacceptable.

How Do We Get There

Ok, let's talk about how you get there.

First of all we are all old enough to know that there is no such thing
as a "Free lunch". Like I have said we are talking about a new
retirement lifestyle and we a going to have to invest our time and
money to learn it.

Second, everyone has seen the horror stories about scams, rip-offs,
etc. on the internet. Well, I am here to say "Unless you plan to be
one of them I don't think there is too much to worry about if you run
your business ethically and follow good business practices to protect
your business and yourself.

You know I was thinking the other day, "scam is in the eyes of the
beholder". Let me give you an example. There are two customers who buy
the same product on the internet. The product is an e-book (book that
can be downloaded to the customers computer) which explains how to
"Grow Tomatoes in NYC". It cost $3.95 and for an additional $9.95 you
can buy all the necessary things, seeds, pots, etc. to start your own
tomato garden in NYC.

The first person that buys is an expert in plants (probably wouldn't
happen) but lets say he buys anyway and when he gets the material he
is unhappy and he accuses you of a scam.

The second person on the other hand has absolutely no experience
growing tomatoes in NYC and follows your instructions and uses your
products and raises a bushel of tomatoes on his patio on the 20th
floor. He is completely happy with the results and buys again the next
year and tells his neighbors.

Question --- Should you close your business because in the first case
you are being accused of being a scammer or should you refund his
money and focus your marketing message on "Newbie's trying to grow
tomatoes on their 20th floor patio? I think the answer is obvious.
Market to Newbie's and forget about getting the experts sales.

The message here is "Selling isn't hard when you have the right
marketing message and you reach the right audience". Internet
marketing opportunities can be worldwide and 24/7. The beauty of this
is "Once you have the right marketing message for your products your
internet store is open 24hrs per day and 7days per week and you don't
even have to be there because it is on autopilot".

So what should you do if you need additional income? Up until recently
you only had two options:

· Go to work for someone minimum wage

· Downsize your lifestyle

Well now I have introduced a third option. Change your lifestyle and
become a successful internet business owner. The key word here is
successful because you can make more money than working for someone
else and a successful internet business will help expand your
lifestyle. Find out more information at Build Your Own Retirement
Business

Thank you

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_McCarthy

Why More and More Americans Live their Retirement Years Overseas

By Natalie Aranda

While some retirees don't want to leave the comfort of home and
family, many more are finding the appeal of retiring overseas. It has
become a trend that more and more Americans are choosing to live their
retirement years overseas. For a various number of reasons, American
seniors have opted to break free of the American ways and live their
lives free of the hustle and the bustle of the United States. One of
the main reasons that America is seeing a trend of traveling seniors
has to do with the economy and cost of living. Americans living on a
fixed retirement income often seek an affordable but active adult
retirement community to spend their free years. With rising taxes, it
is become more and more difficult for seniors to live a pleasing life
on their allotted retirement funds. Landing on foreign soil can
certainly make this money last a lot longer than if they were to
choose a retirement facility in the US.

The boom of the Internet has offered seniors more options for
retirement than ever before. With information so widely available,
many are finding foreign countries more accessible. Not only are
living expenses cheaper in foreign countries, but medical care and
housing is also more economical when you cross our borders. Especially
in many Mexican cities, seniors can often find doctors and dentists
that have come to United States for their training and traveled back
to Mexico to provide care at lower costs. Other countries, such as
Panama have a significantly lower cost of living and an environment
similar to popular United States' retirement destinations such as
Florida. The Panama real estate market offers housing in every price
range to every person's liking with options on the oceanfront, in
Panama City and even in the mountains. Provinces such as Bocas del
Toro offer sandy beaches, waterfront restaurants and a casual and
relaxing retirement atmosphere. The crime rate in Panama is
significantly lower than many US cities and flights between America
and Panama are relatively inexpensive. Making the transition even more
simple and appealing, the Panama official currency is currently the US
Dollar. South America has also become an American retiree favorite as
they offer affordable living in all kinds of enjoyable atmospheres.

Americans aren't only going tropical for their retirement. Trends are
showing that some retirees are even venturing so far as to the
Philippines and Thailand. Similar to Mexico and other close countries,
many physicians are trained in the US and are able to offer health
care at a competitive price. Many retirees find the culture to be
exotic and the locales friendly and kind. Most American retirees have
no problem affording living in these places, living off of only a few
thousand dollars each month.

With popular retirement locations such as Florida seeing a rise in
cost of living and real estate, it is no suprise that many Americans
are choosing to live their retirement years overseas. There is
something for everyone- at an affordable price!

Natalie Aranda writes about home and family. One of the main reasons
that America is seeing a trend of traveling seniors has to do with the
economy and cost of living. Americans living on a fixed retirement
income often seek an affordable but active adult retirement community
to spend their free years. The Panama real estate market offers
housing in every price range to every person's liking with options on
the oceanfront, in Panama City and even in the mountains. Provinces
such as Bocas del Toro offer sandy beaches, waterfront restaurants and
a casual and relaxing retirement atmosphere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda

A Hidden Retirement Tool

By Joan Gilles

The money you put down on your house plus all the mortgage payments
you make over your lifetime can really add up. This investment plus
your home's appreciated value over time can add up to a substantial
part of your wealth at retirement. For some, the equity they have in
their home represents one of their greatest assets when they retire.

But what do these people do when the have insufficient income from
other assets? In the past many retirees in this situation have been
forced to sell their home, downsize, or relocate in order to generate
a stream of income from the proceeds of the sale of their home just to
provide for their needs. Now you can tap into that wealth without
selling your home and moving out. In other words, you can receive
retirement income from your home and still live there.

Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage is the opposite of an ordinary home mortgage. A
qualified mortgage provider lends you an agreed fixed amount. You can
take that in monthly income or as a line of credit available when you
need it. The money you receive and the accrued interest on that money
decrease your equity over time. Repayment of the principal and
interest is deferred usually until the last surviving borrower sells
the home or permanently vacates the property. If you are still living
in your home at the time of your death, the reverse mortgage balance
due will be levied against your estate in most circumstances. That
balance is then satisfied by the sale of the home.

The amount one receives in a reverse mortgage depends on several
factors including:

§ Your age at the time to start the reverse mortgage
§ The amount of equity you have in your home
§ The interest rates charged for the reverse mortgage
§ You closing costs when you secure the loan

Why are they becoming popular?

People are now living longer than ever before. Longevity increases the
need for money to meet living expenses. When other retirement assets
are fully depleted, a reverse mortgage can be utilized to replace
consumed assets.

On the other had, a significant reduction in purchasing power due to
inflation may also cause many to look for additional income sources.
In this case a reverse mortgage may increase income enough to enable
retirees to remain financially self-sufficient. Using a reverse
mortgage for needed home repairs or accommodations for disability can
make retirement more comfortable and allow retirees the ability to
stay in their home for a longer period.

What about taxes?

An advantage of a reverse mortgage is that it is non-taxable income
because it is considered a loan. As a result, this payment or income
stream would not generally disqualify you from or reduce government
retirement benefits such as Social Security. Keep in mind however; you
cannot deduct accruing interest on your reverse mortgage. Check with
your tax advisor about the impact of a reverse mortgage on your
particular situation.

What's the downside?

The fees associated with a reverse mortgage have been considered high
in the past. New products, active consumer advocates and more choices
have had a positive impact on the costs. Consider that the house will
not be passed on unless the reverse mortgage is paid off . Your best
bet is to shop around and compare carefully all the costs and benefits
of a reverse mortgage - just like you would with your regular
mortgage.

Protecting your heirs and your estate.

Your children, your grandchildren or your estate could be made whole
through the added benefit of life insurance. This powerful combination
can provide additional retirement income while protecting the wealth
you've worked so hard to build.

Take away wisdom.

You can maximize your retirement income, protect against inflation,
protect your wealth and allow yourself options in your retirement
living situation through the coordination of all the assets and plans
you have. A comprehensive review of your financial plan will show you
how all your assets can work together to provide for a comfort and
dignity in your later years.

Joan Gilles is a Financial Coach. She helps business owners and
professionals get really clear about what it is they want financially
and gives them a model and tools to get it. What makes her different
is she does her work without taking money out of a business or
personal pocket. Email her at jmgilles@pressenter.com or visit
http://www.joangillesfinancialcoach.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joan_Gilles

Should You Move To A Retirement Community?

By Cindy Heller 

Many elderly retired people choose to move to a retirement community for various reasons. A large home may have been great when they were raising children and pets. Now that the children have left home to start their own families, there is far too much space to take care of. The garden may also be too big to maintain. It is probably difficult to secure a home properly if the retiree plans to travel extensively. A smaller retirement home or apartment in a retirement community may be the next best option. A retirement home will often have useful amenities and services for their residents. There may even be round the clock medical services. Some of the amenities may include swimming pools, dance halls, bowling alleys and activity centers. Many retirement homes may also have restaurants and cafeterias for their residents.

Finding Great Retirement Communities

With the information available on the Internet, it is not difficult to locate great retirement communities. You may be assisting your parents or elderly relatives to find a place to spend their golden years. They no longer find it comfortable living in their current homes and desire to move somewhere where the weather is warm and comfortable. You may be looking for information yourself. Either you plan to move into a retirement community soon or you may be researching for one you can invest in now for your future retirement. Investing in retirement communities ahead of time - a few decades ahead - can be a wise investment decision.

What Makes Great Retirement Communities?

Before you start researching for great retirement communities, you can ask yourself what features and facilities are important to you. Perhaps you do not know even what these are; since you have never considered or looked up these alternative forms of accommodation. Then trawling through the Internet is a great way to start. Enter the search term 'retirement communities' into the Google webpage. Visit the websites of a few retirement communities. While you do this, take note of the things that you consider important. Some of these key criteria may include location, climate over the year, size of the facility, number of residents, accommodation types, availability of medical staff round the clock, recreational facilities like swimming pools and tennis courts, facility organized social activities like games, dancing and short tours, cleaning and food preparation services.

Now that you know what you would consider essential to create a shortlist of potential retirement communities, your research becomes more focused. You may narrow your search by location. Next you would make a list of suitable retirement communities in that location by using kill criteria - eliminate those that you are absolutely not interested in. These may not have what you consider essential features and facilities. From your shortlist that may have had tens of optional retirement communities, you may have whittled it down to a list of less than 10.

Next you need to invest some time and effort to visit the retirement communities in your reduced shortlist. Call to make appointments. You may be lucky to find an agent in a popular location with many retirement communities to help you in this process. He or she may be able to offer you great local insight about the retirement communities that you are considering. If you plan to use an agent, confirm that he or she is independent of any of the retirement communities that you are considering.

Now the physical part of the research process starts. Visit the retirement communities in your list to see for yourself whether their Internet-based marketing matches or exceeds your expectations. Speak with their head of operations or sales. Note down details regarding availability, regular charges and charges for optional items that you may be interested in. Visit their cafes or restaurants to get an idea of the type and quality of food served. If you have the opportunity, speak with some of the residents. Make sure to take notes. The problem with trying to commit your impressions to memory is that you would either soon forget or confuse amongst the various retirement communities you have visited. Make the best of use of your time and effort during this physically demanding exercise.

When you are done with the physical due diligence of the retirement communities in your shortlist, it is time to reduce that list to a selection of the final three or less. You may be lucky! You may have found that one place which meets or exceeds your search criteria. The time may be ripe for you to commit to one of the retirement communities in your list. After this systematic and potentially grueling exercise, you can rest assured that you have done the right things to help you search for the ideal place to retire from all the potential retirement communities in a particular location.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit Retirement Sentiments to learn more about supplemental retirement income and individual retirement account. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Heller

 

9 Surefire Ways to Increase Your Retirement Income

By Steve Hood
 

The old saying 'money can't buy happiness' is not necessarily true. My contention is that money can absolutely contribute to a higher quality of life, which in turn can contribute to a higher level of happiness. And at no time in our lives is this more important than retirement, because it's unlikely most of us will be able to increase our income by going back to work in our 70's or 80's.

Whether you're approaching retirement, or have been retired for many years, income is crucial to your financial security, and even to your very health. Many studies have shown insufficient income during our working years, but particularly during retirement, can cause worry and insecurity in our day to day living, which can lead to ill health over time.

I hope the following will give you some ideas about how you can increase your retirement income, enhance your quality of life, and contribute to your happiness now, and in the future. So without further ado, here they are.

1. Tax Reduction Where to start? How about at the beginning? Almost everyone can save significant amounts of tax just by making a few modest tweaks and adjustments to their financial strategies. For example, are your stock dividends and CD interest earnings being taxed even though you're not spending it all? What if you could receive interest income and save a bundle in taxes at the same time? This and other tax saving strategies could go a long way toward increasing the amount of money you have to spend each month.

2. Income Annuities Buy an income annuity, designed to pay you a tax advantaged lifetime income at a higher rate than many conservative investments, even if you live to be older than Methuselah.

3. Structured Life Settlements Are you insurance rich and cash poor? Convert your life policy into a living benefit, enabling you to access cash long before your final ride off into the sunset.

4. Conservative and Moderate Allocation Mutual Funds Invest a portion of your assets in the rock solid world of No-Load Conservative and Moderate Allocation mutual funds, some of which posted positive returns during even the darkest days of the recent 'Bear' market.

5. Reverse Mortgage Convert 'lazy' money trapped in your home equity into an excellent long term cash flow, enabling you to enjoy greater income and financial security without putting your cash in any high risk investments.

6. Real Estate Lending Be a real estate lender, generating potentially double digit cash flow to you. You can even use your IRA to accomplish this.

7. Real Estate Ownership Own real estate properties generating 6% to 7% cash flow to you, with the very real potential of increasing over time as rents increase. An additional benefit is the aches and pains of property management could be transferred to a professional while you stretch out in the hammock, walk the greens of your favorite golf course, or cruise the worlds oceans, all the while receiving those nice checks directly to your bank account.

8. TIC's – Tenants in Common Transfer the headaches of real estate management and generate a significant income for you. This can work particularly well if you own appreciated real estate, i.e. rental houses, commercial properties, land etc.

9. Separate Asset Baskets Maintain separate accounts for specific purposes. For example, place money for emergency needs in liquid money market accounts and short term bank CD's.

Use another account like income annuities for regular monthly income. An additional account with a brokerage firm could be used to purchase Conservative and Moderate Allocation mutual funds for growth and future income needs.

The purpose of developing and managing your financial affairs in the above manner is to maintain your financial independence and a high quality of life throughout your retirement years. By following these steps you can accomplish many objectives.

First, you will always have sufficient cash reserves at your fingertips if and when needed with your money market account and bank CD's.

Second, you will have sufficient retirement income and be able to avoid withdrawing income from variable accounts during market declines. And finally, your variable accounts have the potential to grow for future use to handle the ever rising cost of living.

Steve Hood develops quality investment and insurance programs for his clients, and builds and manages "All Weather" investment portfolios. "All Weather" => Consistent performance through good markets and bad, resistant to market declines. Find more ideas about lifetime financial security at => http://www.allweatherinvestors.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hood

The Keys to a Happy Retirement

By Lisa Roberts

Retirement is something that most people look forward to. The chance to take a break, to have all the time for yourself, to enjoy life after many years of hard work is indeed a very inviting prospect. However, financial instability makes the future of retirement a little bleak.

The Bleak Reality of Retirement
For many retirees, having an investment and savings can make a big difference when retirement arrives. In fact, recent surveys show that retirees today are only counting on their personal savings for support. Although the government gives Social Security, not all companies or employers provide traditional pensions for their employees. According to the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, in 2003 there were only 19% of workers who have traditional pensions to support them. This percentage continues to decline as more and more employers cut back pension plans for their employees.

Faced with this reality, it is clearly important to make the necessary preparations early in life to have reliable personal savings in the future. Investing in insurance, dividend-paying stocks, government bonds, corporate bonds, real estate, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), immediate fixed annuities and retirement plans are great options on saving funds. This way, a retiree can have assurance that he will have the financial support he can rely on with or without a traditional pension.

Simple Living
Another thing that retirees need to carefully consider is the fact that they need to watch out their spending. Without a regular source of income and only their savings to support them, it would be very difficult if this support system will fall short. Thus, tempting as it may be to splurge or buy expensive things, this habit should be avoided. Simple living is the key. A retiree has to realize that having the necessities for daily living should be enough and there's no need to live extravagantly even when he seems to have the resources.

Does this mean that retirees cannot earn a living anymore? Certainly not. Being an employee isn't the only way to earn a living. There are other things that retirees can do, even in the comfort of their homes to give them additional budget. For example, freelance writing is a popular profession these days. With all their experiences in life, they can share so much through their writing and get paid at the same time. Other options can be vegetable gardening, making art works or crafts, or turning any hobby that they enjoy doing into a small business. Aside from getting extra income, doing activities that they enjoy can give them the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Keeping A Positive Spirit
Financial matters are not the only important things in life. Of course, there's nothing more important than our health and well-being. Retirees are prone to an inactive lifestyle and depression. That is why adequate exercise and a healthy diet are crucial. It is a proven fact that people who eat well and who have enough physical activity are more resistant against sickness and depression.

Keeping a positive spirit is also a tremendous help not only for the mind but for the body as well. Cultivate your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being will keep you happy as you enjoy the fruit of your labor on your retirement.

Liz Roberts is a loan consultant with NewHorizon Finance and has been providing consumers and business owners with home loans financing since 1989. For years she has helped people with home loan problems especially pertaining to home mortgage loans and bad credit home loans Copyright 2007 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Roberts

The Diversity of Retirement Income

By Wade Robins

In our ripe age, we would all like to be able to enjoy things we couldn't while we were young and busy making a name for ourselves. Retirement income planning helps you a great deal in case you should decide you want a salary after you stop working and retire. That is why all sorts of trust funds and accounts with special features have been created on the market, having considered the importance of managing money that will come later to you. As it will be quite had to survive at this age without any carefully thought-of income, the vast majority naturally wishes to have as big a retirement income as the regular had been, while working.

Firstly, Social Security ensures you have the minimum of retirement income and most American workers give a specific part of their salaries to a fund controlled by the government. As you may guess, the retirement income which derives from Social Securities is strictly dependent of the amount of money given to it, prior to this part of your life, and it is handled by the Social Security Administration to be transferred directly in the person's bank account as a deposit. The organization generally commences the payment back after the age of sixty-five; this being the unique income an average worker might have, it is desirable that you have another set-aside retirement income.

Retirement Income Equals Security

The wise thing to do when having an excess of capital is to invest it and take advantage of t to the fullest, not just spending frantically while you are young, to be confronted with a dreary situation at old age. To have the security that you can cease to work then, and happily retire, it is therefore recommended to increase your accounts with every saved paycheck and enjoy your life, instead of working. Maybe you will not be able to work for a regular salary at sixty-five, maybe you will not like working anymore and think of all the amazing things you'd like to do, but didn't have the necessary time or money.

Years prior to the retirement process, the vast majority usually discovers the benefits of the interest on a savings fund and they are able at the end of their working age to accumulate a significant income, especially if they've starting on setting money aside while being young. Special services are provided by financial institutions on the market to help people actually form this retirement income, and in case you choose not to invest money , you can always be a part time employee to obtain additional income for special activities, to submit more to the created retirement funds. Provided you are wise, your retirement income will maintain your hitherto beautiful life.

You can also find more info on Retirement Living and Retirement Plan . 1retirementplan.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Retirement. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins

Retirement - How To Make The Most Of Your Golden Years

By Lee Dobbins

 

For many, the thought of retirement conjures up visions of lazy days on the beach and evenings at the shuffleboard court, but there are a few that feel retirement is the end of usefulness and productivity. Like anything in life your retirement happiness depends greatly on the way you view it and there are many things you can do to feel connected and useful well into your golden years.

A successful retirement, however starts with good planning well before you reach retirement age and includes making plans for your financial well being and health coverage as well as insuring you have a social support network and a variety of meaningful activities to engage in. If you plan for an active retirement life style you will have a greater chance of health and happiness.

One thing you must also prepare for though are the losses that come with advanced age and those include losses to your health as well as loved ones. At first you might morn the loss of your productivity as you are not working every day, but most people find they adjust to this quickly and can replace that gap with volunteer work or a part time job. There are other losses to deal with and the loss of a spouse can be devastating but it helps if you have a good support system and work to keep a sense of independence throughout your retirement.

Luckily being retired doesn't mean that you just sit around all day and many retirees lead very active lifestyles. It is great to be able to do things with your spouse, but having your own interests are important and will help you dealt with the loss if your spouse should die. In fact, being retired opens up new opportunities for activities you might not have been able to do when working.

Volunteer work, community service, family roles and household work are known to increase after retirement and fill in where work schedules leave off. Spending more time traveling and with the grandchildren is another bonus you will find waiting for you in your golden years.

Making the most of your retirement includes insuring you have a great network of family and friends as well as activities that you enjoy. Saving for retirement early can insure you have the funds to do everything you want in your golden years and give you the security to enjoy it.

Lee Dobbins writes for Retirement Views where you can learn more about retirement and get more retirement planning tips. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins