Four Questions to Test Retirement Readiness

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Да уж По-моему, об этом пишут уже на каждом блоге :)

плoxoЙ of AL 7:53AM August 23, 2009

AT THE TIME (IN THE 70'S), THE AIR FORCE WAS A STRUGGLE FOR WOMEN. LUCKILY I HAD GOOD TOURS OF DUTY AND ALSO MET MY HUSBAND 25 YEARS AGO. WE WERE BLESSED WITH A GOOD SEVERENCE PAY WHICH WE PAID OUR HOUSE OFF. THIS ALLOWED US TO MAKE SEVERAL INVESTMENTS. WE WERE NOT BLESSED WITH CHILDREN WHICH ALSO SAVED A LOT OF MONEY. I RECIEVED A DISABILITY AND NOW GET GREAT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VA. THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE IS OUTRAGEOUS AND WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS OTHERS. I'VE TRIED 4 TIMES TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY WITH NO LUCK. BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WE ARE IN OUR 50'S AND READY TO RETIRE. GOD BLESS OUR FUTURE!

DEBORAH G HELMICK of FL 2:05PM June 25, 2009

Right now in the US we are entering a period where millions of baby boomers are simultaneously trying to cash out the "savings" they had put in stocks or into their houses. The reason why I put "savings" in quotation marks is that a house purchase is a form of consumption (not investment), and stock purchases even at present levels are quite speculative -- not supported by the likely near-term cash flow. So can all these investment-rich boomers go liquid at once? Of course not. It will take a great many people to provide the goods and services demanded by the minority of boomers who are already cash-rich.
To prosper, one will have to outguess one's peers, alas.

Mimi Gerstell of ME 6:07AM June 22, 2009

We did all of this in 2007, reviewed,diversified and secured our sources of income so we thought. We sold our home, made the move and started building a log home in our exciting place to live. We had travel and trips planned. Then the economic downturn hit right in the middle of building our home and 40% of our finances went out the window or in some overpaid executive's pocket. One can do a lot of planning, but ultimately the economy will control what you do or don't do and you have to adjust accordingly. Are we enjoying retirement? You bet, but we aren't able to do what we planned to do.

John Toliver of LA 12:06PM June 17, 2009

I've been retired for 23 years and have enjoyed most of that time. Why? Because I am doing exactly what I *want* to do. I don't do any travelling. People have asked me why. My response is because I've travelled a lot during my working years and I no-longer have any interest in travelling hence I don't travel. I have loads of interesting (to *me*) projects at home and in this area.
BTW, that doesn't include much "coach time" either ...

El Franko of MI 9:24AM June 09, 2009

Too often new retiree's think they should not be active - they should "retire", sit on the sofa and act like a retiree!! Nothing could be further from the truth. I found that a moderate amount of activity about the home, travel, visiting with friends and former associates and finding an enjoyable hobby are just as essential to an enjoyable retirement as putting the feet up on the couch and napping!!!

Fred M. Tolleson of OR 3:51PM June 08, 2009