Monday, February 14, 2011

Retirement Advice for EVERY Age

“Retirement”—It’s a word that goes hand-in-hand with “Baby Boomer” these days.  After all, as has been pointed out over and over again, retirement is the issue of the hour as the first round of Baby Boomers hits that magic age.  But what about the younger set?  Is there anything that twenty- or thirty-somethings should be considering regarding retirement at this point in their lives? 

Actually, according to this article by Steve Vernon at MoneyWatch.com, it is never too early to start thinking about retirement; and there is plenty for adults in their twenties or thirties to consider right now that can help them get a jump on retirement a couple decades down the line.

According to the article, “The challenge facing most people in their 20s and 30s is juggling competing priorities — usually there isn’t enough money in the budget to do it all... ‘Should I save money for retirement, a down payment on a house, or for my kid’s college education?’... How do you prioritize?”  While all of these things are important, Vernon suggests that your first priority in your twenties should be yourself.  He suggests that the best investments you can make at this time are in your career, your home, your health, and your spending habits.

What our firm would like to point out is that a large part of investing in those things mentioned above is protecting those things. An estate planner can help you decide how to best protect your home from taxes, lawsuits, or divorce; an estate planner can also help you protect your health with a living will or healthcare directive.  Additionally, many young adults (frustrated with the current state of the job market) have decided to take employment into their own hands by starting their own businesses—and many have been very successful! An estate planner can help you with the overwhelming but necessary task of protecting and planning for the future of your small business.

The news may be flush with stories about (and advice for) Baby Boomers entering or nearing retirement, but we know that everybody can use help and advice when it comes to planning for the future.  Our office can help you prepare for your best future—regardless of your age.  Call us today.