ummmk asked:


I am inquiring for someone. How can you get the most of your money back? The govt wants to take 45% of his retirement fund before he can have it. I’ve heard of investment companies that can help you bypass this but ofcourse they have their hands on your money and there is a lot of fine print and he isn’t very savvy and could easily be takin advantage of.

Anyone got a clearcut solution?

Vanessa

The Chef- Dishin Out the Answers asked:


Sorry, might be a stupid question, but I’m 17, and don’t know anything about that. I know that you can put part of your retirement investments into more risky funds, but isn’t some of it (probably most of it), put somewhere where you WILL make money, since lots of people cannot take a risk with that type of thing???
Please elaborate!!!
Thank you!

Christian

Cecilia Valenzuela asked:


If you have heard that Arizona was a popular state to retire in, you are most certainly correct. Arizona ranks high when it comes to retirement. In fact, Arizona was actually the first state where retirement community living first got its start.

Did you know that it was Del Webb (now considered Pulte Homes) who started the idea of a retirement community?

According to Del Web, they opened their very first retirement community on New Years Day, 1960, in a suburb of Phoenix, known as Sun City, Arizona. The positive response was more than overwhelming. The first retirement community in Arizona paved the way for retired living in the United States. Ever since that day, retirement communities continue to pop up everywhere.

Del Webb is actually now a part of Pulte Homes and are not just known to Arizona, but also in 15 additional states. In Arizona, Del Webb/Pulte has certainly made a name for themselves and are very well known here and are one of the very well known and reputable home builders of Arizona retirement communities.

Whether you prefer the big cities or quieter communities, it really doesn’t matter, because you can certainly find both types of Arizona Retirement Communities here.

Baby-boomers, or snowbirds, as they are sometimes referred to, have flocked to the Phoenix metropolitan area for many years. It should not come as a surprise why this area has been considered a prime retirement choice. There are so many reasons why this area is popular among many. First of all, you have the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert sun along with well over 300 days a year of sunshine.

Known for its gorgeous sunsets and the many recreational activities, golf is probably one of the most popular reasons that retirees make Arizona their home. There are literally hundreds of courses for the golf fan along with so many other popular activities such as tennis, various sightseeing tours, Native American culture and, of course the Grand Canyon to explore.

Retirees certainly appreciate the fact that they are conveniently close to so many things in Arizona. If the outdoors is what you are looking for, Arizona can certainly provide you an endless list of lakes and rivers which attracts so many anglers to the desert southwest. In addition, you will find just as many mountains that make up Arizona and make it the beautiful state that it is. Even Las Vegas is not that far away from Arizona!

Retirement community living can be found throughout the state and not just in Phoenix. Many parts of the “valley of the sun,” as the Phoenix area is ofte called, offers retired living at its best. It just depends on where you would like to live.

Some people prefer Scottsdale over Phoenix, or maybe Tucson. Some people prefer Gold Canyon, a city located about 35 minutes east of Phoenix, which offers many amenities in a quiet atmosphere including enough wildlife to last a lifetime. Some others prefer Flagstaff or the White Mountains, both of which are considerably cooler in the summer months.

Most of these retirement communities that you will find in the desert southwest of Arizona provide such amenities that most active older adults are seeking, such as tennis courts, golf, clubhouses, recreation and fitness centers, as well as organized and regular activities within their specific retired community.

While there may be other reasons not listed here, most people will agree that one of the key reasons why people find their way to retired housing communities in Arizona, is because of the active adult choices they have to choose from. The choices along with the enticing climate, make Arizona retirement communities their first selection of 55 plus areas.

Despite Arizona being a very popular state to retire in, Miami, Florida actually has a higher percentage rate of people living there than Arizona. In fact, according to the Arizona Republic, Phoenix is home to only 12% of the population that is over age 65, compared to 17% in Miami, Florida.

Would you like to know what city is considered to be the most recomended city to retire in? Have you heard of Prescott, Arizona?

Prescott, Arizona has a small town feel to it, which many people prefer. It is located in the cool ponderosa pines in Northern Arizona and is known to many here in Arizona, as the “Mile High” city. Conveniently located 90 miles Northwest of Phoenix, Prescott offers four very mild seasons to both the visitors and residents all-year round.

Prescott has more than 6 golf courses, which is pleasing to many. Prescott is also home to the Prescott National Forest. If you like hiking, you will have well over 450 miles worth of trails to enjoy these gorgeous (and good smelling) ponderosa pines.

Looking for more reasons to choose Arizona for your retirement community? How about healthcare? The healthcare is excellent in Arizona. There are many well known heart hospitals as well as other hospitals, the famous Mayo-Clinic, and a limitless list of clinics, for your healthcare needs.



Gary

Mario Carini asked:


rse we know that saving for retirement is important. But with day-to-day expenses it’s difficult to get down and plan for the golden years. When 65 rolls around, most people are ill prepared to meet the financial requirements of retirement.

A report issued by the National Summit on Retirement Savings in June of 1998 says: “Americans must save more today if they are to realize the dream of a financially secure retirement tomorrow.” Section two of the report says: “Many Americans are not planning or saving enough to be able to afford to retire.”

Two major problems that were outlined at the conference was the need to educate the public about the necessity of saving and the related confusion about how to go about it. As old age approaches, many people become increasingly suspicious of anything and everything that they might consider as a scam. As you get older, it’s harder to salt away enough to last you through your retirement years. And even more difficult when the economy is on a shaky footing.

With the rising cost of living, taxes, mortgages, credit card debt and low wages, the average American has very little incentive to save at all. Today’s financial worries take precedence over retirement financial stability. And to top this off, the income derived from pensions and social security benefits don’t meet the needs of a retirement lifestyle. Unfortunately, today’s recessionary times have eaten away life savings and investments.

Some people have taken steps to plan ahead. While IRA’s, RRSP’s, 401K are useful avenues to salt away some income for an uncertain future, no one can totally rely on the money from these sources to insure retirement will be a comfortable one. Investments in stocks, bonds, Mutual funds and real estate do help add money to the retirement pool, but this assumes you know something about investing in these avenues and in the current financial climate, the chance of making any money at all is risky.

One of the best methods to plan for retirement is not to retire at all! While retirement may be the best time for leisure and luxury, eventually life gets boring with so much unproductive time on your hands. That’s where running your own business comes in.

While you’re still working a job, you should be looking ahead to what it is you like to do and see how you can turn that hobby, talent and skill to good use.

You don’t need to grow your retirement business into a multi-national corporation. All it needs to do is give you something that excites you and motivates you to get out of bed every morning.

Retirement should be an exciting time in your life and requires as much planning and foresight that it does in planning a wedding or travel to an exotic location. In today’s environment, a working retirement is the best way to produce a modest income, yet still have the time to enjoy what life can bring. It insures that no matter what the climate is, you will stay comfortable with something to fall back on when things get rough.

And the best way is to start while you’re still working. So take a close look at what you’d like to do during your retirement years and ask advisers on how you can start. There are hundreds of businesses on the Internet, many of which can produce a good income. Whether you like to sell or produce something like ebooks and software, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to sell it.

Your current retirement savings won’t be enough when you reach 65 so plan now to insure you will have some added income.

Kristin

spidersam408 asked:


What age and what are the conditions for retirement? Can you work when you are retired for money? What are the rules for the state of California?

Harold

sweetnsexy_38 asked:


What actions can be taken at different stages of life to ensure a financially secure retirement? How would you plan to fund your retirement years.

Travis

Jinky Belle Abelardo asked:


Many countries offer state-sponsored retirement benefits, besides those provided by the employers, which are funded by payroll or taxes. In the United States, this is one role of the Social Security Administration or SSA.

One of the most important retirement decisions facing Americans is, “When should I get my Social Security retirement benefits?”

There will come a time for us when we will be looking forward to relax while still enjoying financial security. All workers have to prepare for this period of their lives.

As people age, they will have to consider their options and plan for their future. We all need assurance that when we get old and reached a time when we no longer want to work, or no longer capable of performing our jobs, we can still support ourselves financially.

What offer us financial security at such time are our retirement benefits. We get retirement benefits from our retirement plans. A retirement plan is an arrangement or a formal contract which provides people with an income, possibly a pension, during retirement, when we are no longer earning a steady income from employment.

Retirement benefits are authorized under Title II of the Social Security Act. There are certain requirements needed in order for a worker to be considered eligible to these benefits. A person attains fully insured status when he or she has paid sufficient payroll taxes to Social Security and has worked long enough in a job covered by Social Security system.

An application must be filed with the Social security Administration before an employee may collect his/her retirement benefits. There are several options in applying for these benefits:

• Applying at the local Social Security office

• Applying through phone

• Applying via mail

• Applying online

The amount of retirement benefit payments are based upon several aspects:

• Social Security taxes paid into the Social Security trust fund

• The age of the claimant

• The current earned income of an individual

Benefit payments vary based on when, a person shall claim his or her retirement benefits. Usually, a person may start receiving his or her benefits as soon as he/she is 62, but the full-retirement age comes a few years later than that.

Eligible individuals have their choice whether to have a delayed or early retirement. However, there are consequences in claiming the benefits earlier or later than the full-retirement age. Here are the rules as follows:

• If you decide to retire in your full retirement age, you will collect your full retirement benefits

• If you retire prior to reaching full retirement age, you will receive benefits less than that of what you will have received if you retire later

• If you work past your full retirement age, you will acquire your full retirement benefits regardless of how much you earn

• If you carry on working and decide not to collect your retirement benefits until you become 70, you will get more benefits when you retire

• If you opt not to collect your retirement benefits before reaching full retirement age, you should be sure to file for Medicare as soon as you turn 65.

So in deciding when to collect ones’ retirement benefits, we must consider what option will be more beneficial to us. It is never too early or too late in commencing preparations for our retirement so it is better to jumpstart now.

For commendable and fast track assistance in applying for your retirement benefits, seek the aid of our experienced Social Security attorneys. Just log to our website and learn how to avail of our free case evaluation services.



Alex

M.J. Joseph asked:


When deciding on a retirement community for you or a loved one, there are many factors to take into consideration. Where do you want to live? What type of community do you want to live in? How much can you afford? Here are several of the many important questions to ask yourself or your parents when trying to decide on a retirement community.

1. Where do you or a loved one want to live?

Location is the key to beginning a search for a retirement community. Do you want to stay in the same town, city or state that you live in now? Many seniors decide to move to a warmer climate to enjoy their retirement. However, some seniors would rather experience all four seasons or would rather stay in their area. Whatever your choice, deciding what part of the world you want to live in is very important in trying to find a retirement community.

2. What type of community do you want to live in?

There are many different types of communities that are now available for retiring seniors. Try learning more about these communities and deciding which is best for you:



Active Retirement Communities

Assisted Living Retirement Communities

Independent Living Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Alzheimer’s Care Communities

Skilled Nursing Care Retirement Communities



After you find what type of community you want to live in, check out the cost. Also, make sure to check accreditation, licensing and the credentials of each prospective community. You want to be living in the best place for you, and need to be extra safe in doing the research for the community.

3. How are the local services?

When searching for a retirement community, look for grocery stores, gas stations, churches, hospitals, salons, pharmacies and different shops to make life easier for when you do move.

4. What are some living amenities?

Many retirement communities offer different types of housing for seniors. Many seniors prefer to choose places with elevators, wide hallways, shower chairs and good lighting that include meal plans and wheelchair accessibility. Some seniors choose to live in a community that offers a very active lifestyle. Many of the active lifestyle communities include golf, tennis and swimming activities, and concentrate on health and fitness to help you enjoy your retirement. Some of these might not apply to you, so just write down the living amenities you prefer to live with, and use that as a frame of reference when looking for a retirement community.

5. Is this place safe?

It is always important to keep safety in mind when looking for any home. Ask the following questions:



Is there security personnel on staff at night?

Is the retirement community located within the confines of a gated community?

How are the locks on the main door?

When finding a new place to live, it is nice to get to know what the neighborhood is like before moving so you are not caught off guard a week after you move in. Most of the time, you can tell whether a place is safe by looking at. Be sure to check during different times of the day. Ask could-be neighbors, gas station clerks, staff members or check with the local police department to see if the community is an ideal place for you.

6. Is the staff friendly?

An important aspect of a retirement community is a friendly and helpful staff. Many times people overlook the staff members when deciding on a retirement home. Remember, these people will be a major part of your life! Make a visit to the community and speak with actual staff members. As you walk through the community, observe how staff members and residents interact with each other. You want your retirement to be enjoyable, and it can be a lot more fun if the staff members in your community are easy to interact with.

Just as you would tour a house or apartment before buying or renting, you should tour a prospective retirement community to see where you fit in. After all, this is going to be a place where you plan on enjoying your retirement! Be sure it is right for you!



Janice

Rob W asked:


I moved from VA a few days prior to my official retirement effective date. I receive a final pay, including substantial leave cashed out after I moved. Is this subject to Virginia tax? All preretirement pay, including this shows up on my W2 with VA as the state reflected on it.

Jessie

Bob Bencivenga asked:


Nowadays, individuals are healthier and having lengthier, fuller lives that are a great deal different from previous generations. Increasing numbers of individuals are establishing a fulfilling retirement that works for them.

With fears of social security collapsing, and increases in day to day expenses, it seems right that a growing number of individuals are re-characterizing what a good retirement means. And it has become accepted that to age properly, you need to remain energetic in old age – connected and involved.

You could consider moving to a new line of work, working for yourself, picking up new skills, working for the community, and realizing aspirations you’ve had to put in cold storage. These are the things that define a good retirement these days. How will you select what kind of retirement is right for you

We’ve listed 7 steps to establishing a good retirement in which you can realize fulfillment:

1. Set aside some time for thought. The majority of people start contemplating retirement when they cross 50, some people start prior to that. A few commence mulling about retirement the instant they leave a job they’ve held for the last 30 years.

2. Look to your past. Consider all your previous jobs. Which ones did you love? What parts of all your posts were the best? Is there a shared theme? Deliberate on the hopes and aspirations you held when you were younger that could have been disregarded. Is there a way to satisfy them currently?

3. Figure out your finances. Previously you could have concentrated exclusively on investment, now the hour has come to create a good retirement. Reflect on the income your funds will continue to produce. Do you hold a pension you can bank on? Do you get any retirement payments, for instance a pension? Will you receive Social Security? Do you possess retirement health care coverage?

4. Depending on your financial concerns, decide how much you will need to receive during retirement, a part-time or full-time job or perhaps you may not have to be employed in any way. Human life spans have grown, and with this you have the necessity for more money. It’s best to err on the side of caution and have extra for unanticipated situations. Having a job, even part-time, can significantly protect your money and boost your quality of life.

5. Reflect on the way you use your money in your free time. What do you like to do? Is it to possible to merge those pursuits with work? If you love food, perchance it’s time to start a café? If you spend all day immersed in books, would work in a library be the right thing?

6. After you’ve decided the level of work and leisure you’ll need to establish a good retirement, then you can look for a job. Productive senior employees by 2010 will be very valued.

7. Go back to college. Several colleges oblige retirement age students, by offering night classes, or offering credits for work experience. These might be the years for a new career.

A good retirement that is fulfilling has changed from an indolent weekend to one of the most thrilling periods in a person’s life. With the correct planned retirement, the potential is enormous. All the best creating a good retirement!

Visit www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation and/or retirement made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.

To get your FREE REPORT on “Affordable Best Places In The Carolinas”, and find your Best Place to Live in the Carolinas: http: http://www.PlacesOfValue.com/page/best_places.php



Eleanor