UPDATED for 2014 This is perhaps the most encompassing, yet easy-to-understand book on the vital and timely topic of Social Security retirement income planning. It is written by an experienced Certified Financial Planner for soon-to-be retirees who want to learn all about the different claiming strategies for couples and for single persons (whether never married, divorced or widowed). Most people have no idea of what some their real benefit options are -- and unfortunately can be prone to miss out on $10,000's. Before describing what readers will find in the book, let me point out that there is purposely nothing written about Social Security DISABILITY income payments or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The book's sole purpose is to provide people who are about to retire, with all of the information that they need to make the best Social Security benefit decisions based on their own financial circumstances and retirement goals. In this respect it is an essential planning guide and road map. A quick scan of the table of contents gives a glimpse of the scope and amount of powerful information provided. However, what the table of contents does not show is how 95% of Social Security recipients (both couples and many singles) will leave up to $50,000 of benefits sitting on the table that cannot be retrieved. This is money that they are fully entitled to, but these folks did not follow the little-known claiming strategies described in this book. It's your money, you paid into the system your whole life - so don't miss out on getting every dollar that you can. There are many useful examples given to show baby boomers the full range of their filing options and how to maximize their lifetime benefits. Written in plain English, these examples are meant to encourage you to carefully consider how you can get the most total benefits available under the law. Perhaps one of the most unique portions of the book is where the author combines his expertise of Social Security with his knowledge of income taxes to show readers how it is very possible to cut ones taxable income and their subsequent retirement income tax bill by 50%. The story comparing the Early's, the Waite's and the Best's is worth ten times the price of the book, as it explains how a savvy reader can save $1,000's of income tax dollars each year during their retirement. The chapter about the 3 buckets of investment risk and the 3 taxation buckets is the perfect complement to learning about filing strategies since Social Security was never meant to provide for all one's retirement income. Not only is this discussion vital for soon-to-be retirees, it should be required reading for every American adult before they EVER invest a single dime anywhere. Don't let the low cost of the book fool you. While reading the book, it becomes very apparent that Mr. Orr actually works in the retirement income planning field on a daily basis with the non-stop tips, warnings, things to consider and much more. Everything is discussed in "real world" terms, not useless academic theory. "Social Security Income Planning" is well organized, concise and written in a conversational style, yet it's jam-packed with all the information you need to maximize your Social Security benefits. The advanced concepts and planning strategies are made so simple, that you will be able to explain them to your co-workers... or even to your financial advisor (who very likely has just a vague understanding of the strategies you are talking about) Finally, the book rightfully stresses how your decision to file for your Social Security benefits should not be made on a "standalone basis." That your claiming decisions should be made in conjunction with your overall retirement income goals, your assets and other income resources, your level of adverseness to risk, your (and your spouse's) likely longevity, etc. Buy this book today and become an educated consumer of your Social Security benefits

We've been trained, advised and educated that the key to enjoying a long and prosperous life in retirement depends upon our ability to maximize the growth of our assets so that we have as much retirement income as possible. But as we know, retirement is not the same as it was years ago. Investment challenges, the complexity of investment vehicles, and government intervention have changed the retirement landscape for all of us looking towards a long and thriving retirement. Yet what hasn't changed is the fact that we continue to do the same things that we've done for years when it comes to retirement. So, if you were doing something wrong, when would you like to know about it? Early enough to be able to do something, or do you want to wait until the last possible moment? Currently there are millions of people planning for their retirement and unfortunately what they are doing is wrong. There are many factors for this, including 3 obscure rules from the Federal Government, changes to the cost of healthcare and other items that most Americans are unaware of, that will force people to change their thinking about saving and funding their retirement in the future. In order to help people to save their Social Security benefits, lower their tax obligations, maximize their retirement income and control their health costs in retirement, we've gathered seven of the leading retirement experts writing today to point out the realities of the new rules of retirement and what you can do to take back control of your future. Seven of the leading retirement experts provide the facts, realities and solutions around these topics: oDan McGrath: The New Rules of Retirement oMichael Gerali: The REAL Truth about Medicare and Social Security oRobert Ryerson: Financial Planning for the New Retirement oRobert Klein: The Truth about Annuities oJustin Belair: The New Approach to Estate Planning oJohn Marroni: What to Know about Reverse Mortgages Mike Padawer, author of What's the Deal with Long-Term Care?: The Economic Realities of Long-Term Care With an Afterword by Jack Tatar, author of Safe 4 Retirement: The Four Keys to a Safe Retirement and Having The Talk: The Four Keys to Your Parents' Safe Retirement

The destruction of wealth and loss of investment time in the last 10 years is primarily due to the conventional "wisdom" of Wall Street. This can be avoided-the old way of doing things is flawed and can be changed to benefit the investor. This straightforward and uncomplicated book can guide you with your 401(k) investing. Join me in avoiding "meltdowns" and making event the downturns profitable.The most sensible retirement book you'll ever read

It is the first in a series titled 'Financially Fit'. My motivation for writing this series came from seeing thousands of people, including close friends and family, struggle with money throughout their working lives, never reaching a point of financial freedom. At the surface it seems so simple: provide for yourself today, whilst building your wealth to a point where you are financially secure enough to support yourself for the time when you no longer want, or are unable, to work. However, the reality is very different for most people. Very few ever achieve true financial security and the majority of the population find that "money worries" rob them of their day-to-day peace of mind. From a young age I saw my parents struggle with this as well. Arguments over money - how and where it was being spent, and worry over whether there would be enough to last until the next payday, let alone trying to save extra for the future placed tremendous stress on their marriage. This was ultimately a major factor in their divorce when I was in my early 20s. This shocked me. I couldn't understand why they were not able to get this part of their lives together. It shouldn't have been that hard. I made a commitment to myself that I would not make the same mistakes - I would have a different future. This commitment marked the beginning of my journey to discover the differences between those that have and the have-nots, the people who did become financially secure versus those that did not. What I discovered is that the pathway to financial security is actually quite simple. However, "simple" doesn't necessarily mean "easy." Like any fitness program, it involves re-training and discipline. For most people this means un-learning the wrong financial habits, and learning some new and effective strategies to develop financial fitness. The great news is that just about anybody can learn these new habits, put them into action and become financially fit within just a month or two. What I have tried to do in this series is to create a simple step-by-step "how-to" guide. My original motivation of putting 'pen to paper' was, and still is, to produce a blueprint that my children can follow. This book provides the way forward to how they can start providing for their futures today. The books in this series go further than just discussing the principles and values of becoming financially secure; they also offer practical tips and techniques that you are able to apply in your own life. My wish is for you to experience the peace of mind that comes with giving yourself permission to enjoy your life now, with the confidence of knowing that you're becoming financially secure with each passing day.

It can be scary to approach retirement and realize that you're not financially prepared. The situation doesn't get any better when you consider factors such as increasing longevity, reduced and underfunded government pensions, and increasing health needs requiring expensive insurance coverage.Author Jeremy Foxon, a shipping and logistics professional, has improved his own retirement outlook even though he started saving late. Now he shares solutions to help you boost savings--no matter where you live. This guidebook can help you assess your current financial position; build a stock portfolio that can create wealth quickly; invest in alternative financial products; and evaluate your options so that you can make the right decisions.

Whatever your situation, it's never too late to take action to achieve retirement goals. Enjoy your later years and leave behind a legacy for your children, loved ones, or a cause you care about with A Late Starter's Guide to Retirement."None of us have the luxury of turning back the clock. We have to move forward by making the best of what we have. You might even find that you have more than you think, thanks to Jeremy Foxon, who will show you how you could change your financial fortunes for the better."--Dr. David Kuo, CEO of the Motley Fool Singapore

If you realize that you are overspending resulting in a depletion of your savings account, it's time to keep your spending in check. It takes a lot of discipline to stick to your financial plan. However, keeping to a financial goal is not that difficult if you start with the basics. Fortunately, there are effective strategies you can adopt to make sure you follow through on your good financial intentions. Miranda Grey examines these strategies such as being specific in her book How to Save Money. Be specific about what you want to achieve out of your financial plan. Decide how much you should save each month or how you should pay off your credit card debt. For example, specifying $200 as the sum you should save each month will help you to visualize and reach that target instead of simply saying 'I'd like to save some money per month. Likewise the motto 'Cut down on grooming expenses' sounds vague and less concrete. How about turning it to 'Spend no more than $100 each month on grooming'? This puts your goal into perspective. Grab your copy of How to Save Money

Do you wish you had more to show for all the time you've spent earning a living? Are you tired of living one or two paychecks away from financial disaster? Do you worry about having enough money when you retire? If you long for true financial security but don't know where to start, let Money For Life be your guide. Presented in a straight forward, relevant manner, Money for Life will equip you with the information and tools you need to understand how to build wealth and create a secure financial future. Personal finance expert and educator Marilynn E. Hood starts with the basics of money management and simplifies even complex wealth-management issues. The examples and references included in Money for Life will help you make informed decisions about debt, saving and investing, insurance, retirement accounts, estate planning and more. This practical book will quickly become your go-to resource for all your personal finance questions. This is the real-world information you wish you had learned in school You ll learn: How to monitor your finances and build up cash reserves How compounding works and how to use it your advantage How debt works and how to pay it down How insurance works and why you need it How stocks, bonds, funds and retirement accounts work Why everyone should plan for their estate

Youth is not a prerequisite for adventure. At ages 65 and 75, Martha and Sandy pull up deep New England roots, sell their house, acquire a couple of new knees, toss their doubts and fears out the window, and make a plan. They will spend part of each year in their beloved Maine and part in an exotic place. Starting with New Zealand. Why not South Africa? Why not South America? Why not Antarctica? Slow Travel shows how this intrepid couple finds the wherewithal-financially, physically, spiritually-to live with a capital L and I and V and E at a time in their lives when, let's face it, a lot of people choose to stick close to home. Or if they travel, travel to the usual places. Nothing about Sandy and Martha's series of adventures is usual. They break every stereotype. In the beginning, the question plagued them: Can we afford to go? In the end, it's clear they couldn't afford not to. "Slow Travel" is a fascinating read, and an inspiring one.

This is an authoritative and comprehensive guide to 'aging in place' - a burgeoning movement for those who don't want to rely on assisted living or nursing home care - which allows seniors to spend their later years living comfortably, independently, and in their own home or community.

"The transition from saving for retirement to living in retirement involves many different pieces that need to interact appropriately to safeguard your retirement assets. Figuring out how to assemble those pieces can be like trying to construct a 500-piece puzzle without a picture as your guide. This book will serve to oer some guidance to make your transition to retirement a little less puzzling." Danny Harlow

Millions of baby boomers are just beginning to retire, and in doing so many are likely to run into adjustment problems, such as loss of identity, deterioration of marriage and social life, and feelings of disconnectedness to the world. Studies have found that as many as 40% of retirees have difficulty adjusting, and even those who claim to enjoy retirement may experience some uneasiness as they adapt to a life lacking in structure and direction. This book investigates the struggles faced by retirees in building a new life outside of the workforce. It provides an honest assessment of retirement, based on the not-always-acknowledged fact that it is a difficult transition with pitfalls and obstacles to be overcome. But along with uncovering problems, the authors also propose solutions to enable both current and future retirees to be better prepared, allowing them to avoid being blind-sided by unexpected situations. By reading about the experiences of their peers, current and future retirees will come to understand that others share their difficulties adjusting, and that tactics are available to improve their comfort level in retirement as well as their overall well-being. Retirees and those planning for retirement will find in these pages what they need to make retirement successful and enjoyable.

Retired Methodist minister and hospital chaplain, David Pratt's many years of working with older people, their carers and families, convinced him that too few people think ahead and prepare well for their retirement and aging. His own experience of reaching the age of 70, having suffered a serious and unexpected illness at age 65, sharpened his awareness of the issues. This lively book, based on personal experience, is full of practical suggestions for people preparing to retire. While based on the New Zealand scene, readers in other countries will also find the material thought-provoking and encouraging. Topics covered include: - Getting started - Where will we live - Home - the house we live in - Interests and hobbies - The joy of being a grandparent - Finance and money matters - Being single in a partners' world - Health and medical matters - Security and safety - Everyone is going to die - Attitude - Love and sexuality - Dreaming sensibly - Ageism and discrimination - Old, old age. Website and other contact details for New Zealand organisations and government departments who work with older people are listed in an extensive appendix. The book is fully indexed.

Get rich slowly Financial independence is a marathon, not a sprint. The financial crisis revealed the hazards of financial illiteracy. Governments desperately want citizens to become financially independent so they'll be less of a burden on them. Findependence Day presents personal finance in a "can't put down" story format easily digested by young adults entering the work force and the world of money. Because money problems often cause marital breakups, it focuses on the financial journey of a young couple who experience the usual ups and downs of job loss, buying homes, raising children, investing and pensions, starting businesses, coping with stock market volatility and more. The secrets of financial independence are critical wherever you are in the financial life cycle: Newlyweds embarking on family formation will discover the importance of financial planning. Debt-plagued graduates will be motivated to embrace "guerrilla frugality." Home-owners will learn the foundation of financial independence is a paid-for home. Those in their first jobs will embrace employer 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. New parents will discover the need for life insurance and saving for children's education. Mid-life investors will learn how to cut costs in their portfolios while benefiting from the expertise of financial planners. Those near retirement will learn about advanced concepts like annuities and Asset Dedication. Jonathan Chevreau is the editor of MoneySense magazine, former personal finance columnist for the Financial Post and author of nine financial books, including The Wealthy Boomer: Life After Mutual Funds. He's active in social media and blogs at www.findependenceday.com. "Once in a blue moon, a financial book is written that should be required reading for all. Such is the case with Findependence Day." -- Peter Grandich, The Grandich Letter "A tour de force: a personal-finance book that is hard to put down." - Larry MacDonald, CanadianBusiness.com "Having some fun while learning what's good for you is a double win -- particularly learning what we all need to know to live happier lives." - Charles Ellis, author of Winning the Loser's Game This revised all-American edition features end-of-chapter summaries of financial concepts learned, a glossary and bibliography of books that will boost your financial literacy - or that of your kids.

The numerical and emotional aspects of planning for retirement

This hands-on resource demystifies financial planning by giving the Enough number: an exact figure specific to personal goals, which can be a target number to aim for in retirement. It shows what changes will help to achieve the number, and offers an understanding of hidden motivations when it comes to spending money. It also provides an overview of the multitudes of investments available and provides conservative guidelines that will help make money, save taxes, and sleep at night.Offers a clear understanding of the different attitudes toward money and includes strategies to achieve goalsIncludes the tools needed to save for later and enjoy rewards todayContains a method for tracking money to help get your finances where you want them to beCovers the details of what it takes to work effectively with a financial advisorWritten by Diane McCurdy, a noted financial planner, speaker, author, and founder of McCurdy Financial Planning

This hands-on guide walks you through a proven program that is designed to keep you on the right track to financial success.

Everyone with a view to retirement has received and continues to receive unending financial advice on retirement. The advice comes from family, friends and professionals. There is such a plethora of advice on the subject that you invariably wonder what is correct. Your parents probably started the conversation on saving for your future by saying something like: "Put aside something for a rainy day " or "Don't put all your eggs in one basket " While there are many very financially astute family members and friends, every individual retirement case is different, and a non-professional may easily overlook factors that do not personally affect them, or that they have not encountered. The truth is we need to get retirement financial advice from a trusted professional who deals with financial planning for a living. In this book, Jeff Cirino, EMBA, CFP(r), a professional financial planner and Celebrity Expert(r), gives you much to ponder over. He has a wealth of experience and will guide you to review your portfolio carefully. An advocate of fee-based financial advice, his is an objective approach to your most important r etirement decisions. You owe it to yourself to read this book. You will make better financial decisions and you will better understand the questions that need to be as

Straight Talk and solid retirement advice for all Canadians

In the face of government changes, financial market volatility, and an aging workforce, Canadians are understandably concerned about the impact on their finances and their future retirement. This reassuring book debunks the generally-accepted claims about necessary savings rates, which can cause paranoia among those beginning to contemplate retirement. The authors offer greater insight into planning approaches that are not widely understood, demystifies retirement targets (age, savings, income), and outlines concrete approaches to maximizing retirement savings.Offers practical advice for dealing with the changes to Canada's retirement systemIncludes advice for calculating your Neutral Retirement Income TargetContains solid financial advice in accessible languageWritten by the Executive Chairman and Chief Actuary of Morneau Shepell Canada's national actuarial consulting firm

"The Real Retirement" offers a down-to-earth guide for preparing for comfortable retirement and shows what it takes to achieve it.

If you care about your spouse and family,
If you have ever experienced stress about market losses,
If having a safe, secure, predictable income stream during retirement is important,
If you don't have a plan for the high cost of a nursing home or catastrophic illness,
Read This Book.

An estimated seventy-eight million baby boomers will hit retirement age in the coming decades. It's an exciting time, but many retirees miscalculate their retirement readiness before leaving their jobs and seeking a more carefree life. In "Don't Eat Dog Food When You're Old " author Roger Roemmich-who has more than forty years experience in the field of finance-presents a big-picture look at what you need to know to plan for your retirement or to better manage the various components of your financial life if you already are retired.

In this guide Roemmich first looks at whether you can afford to retire and then discusses retirement planning and financial management. He introduces his unique CAMP score methodology-considering cash flow, aging, medical needs, and purchasing power-that both provides a basis for quick evaluation of retirement readiness and serves to identify remedies for inadequacies. He also identifies the most important aspects of six key areas and helps show how they factor into having excellent cash flow throughout retirement.

You can calculate your retirement readiness accurately if you know the right questions to ask. Roemmich's guide-which assumes little or no prior knowledge but a keen interest in doing the right thing-helps you move forward carefully and confidently so that you can enjoy financial peace of mind during your golden years.

Have you had "the talk" yet? No, this isn't the one you have with your kids about sex, hoping you actually know more than they do. This talk is the one adult children have with their parents about their parents' retirement and aging and such concerns as medical proxies, healthcare and estate planning, wills, trusts, and the fact that 70% of people over age 65 will require some form of long-term care. This book focuses on the talk and incorporates Jack Tatar's innovative Four Keys approach to a safe retirement. By following Jack's game plan laid out in his book, you will understand What the talk is and why it's important to have it earlier, rather than later. How to start the talk with your parents and use talking points to keep them engaged. What to discuss during the talk, ensuring that all the important topics and details are covered. How to create, maintain, and review a financial plan for retirement. The latest up-to-date information on health matters pertaining to retirees. How to maintain a positive attitude in retirement. How to create an effective social structure and network for retirees. The talk is often not a single discussion, but rather something that's ongoing and detailed. It will help create a safe retirement for your parents and peace of mind for your entire family. It will also provide adult children with the understanding they'll need when considering their own retirement and an appreciation of the value and importance of having this talk with their own children. Like Jack's previous books, Safe 4 Retirement: The Four Keys to a Safe Retirement and The 10 Joys of a Safe Retirement, this new book will change the way you think about retirement. The talk will bring families together so that they stay together.