Retirement Planning Tips

March 22nd, 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Planning for retirement can seem like an overwhelming task involving lost of big, weighty decisions.  If you are considering moving to the Villages, Fl, here are a few ideas to make sure your retirement plans are as well thought out and organized as you hope.

1.    Similar Standard of Living
Most people want a similar or slightly improved standard of living when they retire compared to when they are still working.  But this is going to require a slightly higher income during retirement than most people expect because the cost of living and inflation is constantly on the rise.   Therefore, its always a good idea have saved more than you think you’re going to need.  The standard of living here at the Villages, Fl is quite unique – here is a YouTube video which mentions some comments on living in the Villages, Fl. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zam-M-bP2ps
2.    Insurance Expenses
Many people don’t have an accurate idea of their projected insurance expenses.  But an insurance plan that will cover you through the rest of your retirement is essential.  Medicaid will start eventually, but make sure you’re completely covered until then.  As far as home owners insurance, here at the Villages, FL, you will not even need to have flood insurance, which keeps your rates lower.

3.    Communicate About Monetary Expenses
Before retirement its important to communicate clearly between partners about all aspects of the many different types of living expenses.  Clear and up-front communication will help evade misunderstandings and stress later.  Thorough communication will also enable you to combine the different aspects of life (and expenses) you each have covered over the years and will need to cover together in the future.

4.    A Couple of Individuals
Some people incorrectly assume that because one or both of halves of a couple aren’t working anymore that all their time will be spent together.  Regardless of how close or similar those two halves of a couple are, you still need to be sure to budget for independent interests.

5.    The Sooner, the Better
Use the time you have left until your retirement wisely.  Use the time you have to plan ahead by paying off the most amount of debt you can, whether that be credit cards, mortgage, taxes, or other loans.  This will obviously increase your revenue and your security once you do retire, as well as make it easier to save for retirement until then.

Planing a Memorable Retirement Party

March 22nd, 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in About the Villages, About the Villages Florida, FL, Uncategorized | No Comments »

A retirement party should be just that- a party!  After all the years of hard work and sweat the retiree has contributed, you want to plan a party that makes them feel appreciated and celebrated for what they have done, but also for who they are.  Retiring to the Villages, Florida is an especially exciting time for you! You may know the guest of honor primarily through the time they contributed at your company, but there is a lot more to them as a person; make this a celebration of not just what they have done, but who they are as well.  This is obviously primarily a celebration of the retiree’s working years, but don’t be afraid to include some touches reflecting their personal lives as well.  Here are some fun ideas to plan an easy, but memorable, retirement party.  Its all about the retiree for a few hours, and every aspect of the party should reflect that in some way.

Decorations:

Beyond what they have done and who they are, don’t forget to include aspects of where the retiree is going and what they plan on doing.  Are they retiring to The Villages, FL?  Then decorate the party with bright colors, pink flamingos, and other beach themes.  Is the retiree finally building their dream house in the mountains?  Use camping equipment and pine cones to create a festive air.  Retirement parties only happen once, so don’t be afraid to have fun with the decorations and maybe even go a little overboard.

Food:

The food should also tie into the theme of the party and reflect the guest of honor.  Maybe the first thing the retiree is planning on doing with their new-found freedom is to take that cruise in the Mediterranean.  If that’s the case, find a good Greek caterer and make sure there’s lots of Baklava.  If the retiree is most looking forward to spending their days boating, serve lots of seafood.  Or consider holding the party at the retiree’s favorite restaurant.  Don’t skimp on the quality of the food; if you’re planning the party on a tight budget, don’t give in to the temptation to save by getting cheap food.  Nothing puts a damper on a party faster.

Party Games and Entertainment:

Many people expect to toast (or roast) the retiree, but a fun variation of that is to create a Jeopardy-like game using questions based on the guest of honor.  Another great TV game show to use would be Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Some friendly competition for the attendees could be a small putt-putt course if the retiree is a golfer.  Whatever you plan, be sure to keep the retiree’s personality in mind; you want the end of the retiree’s time to be one of their best memories, not one of their most embarrassing moments.

After the party:

Whatever the retiree is going to end up doing now that their days of toiling are done, a great way to let those left behind know how to keep up with them as they head off to new adventures is through the party favors.  For the outdoors-y themed party, use wood picture frames with the retiree’s new contact information or an idea that can be incorporated into every theme is to put disposable cameras out on the tables and encourage friends or co-workers to document the party for the guest of honor themselves.

The options for themes of a retirement party are as diverse as the person you’re honoring.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match the many facets of the retiree’s life.  What is it they most look forward to doing in the future?  What are some of their greatest professional and personal accomplishments?  Every retiree has a unique story, take advantage of that uniqueness to plan a retirement party that they (and you) will never forget.

Making Friends In Retirement

March 11th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in About the Villages, About the Villages Florida, Comments on Terra Vista, Retirement Lifestyle | No Comments »

Making friends can be difficult for retirees, especially for those who re-locate.  Retirement, in the same as the rest of life, cannot be lived without relationships.  But forming new friendships can be tiring and scary.  Here are some ideas on making friends in retirement…

1.    Common Ground
The foundation to a good friendship is what two people have in common.  In the same way that friendships between co-workers form, places for retirees to forge friendships may be church, clubs, volunteering, or adult learning classes—anywhere you’ll be likely to meet new people who enjoy doing some of the same things you do.

2.    Smaller Groups
It can be difficult to get to know people in large groups, especially if you’re a retiree who isn’t a fan of small talk.  Try to get to know and join groups, activities, and committees with 8 to 10 people.  The “pool” of friends to choose from may be smaller, but a smaller group will make finding friends (and not just acquaintances) a little bit easier.

3.    Take a Risk
Many times the most difficult part of the friendship building process can be the first step.  If there is fellow retiree who you believe had friendship potential, take the initiative and ask them questions about themselves or invite them to join you for a meal or cup of coffee.  The idea is to search for and take advantage of common ground, even if it’s something as simple as the fact that you’re both retirees.

4.    Keep the Old
In the search for developing new friends, don’t neglect the good friends you already do have.  Take advantage of modern conveniences like email and cell phones, and remember the older ones like snail mail, to keep in touch with the friends you have already made over the years.  The old friends can encourage you in your search for new friends, and distance doesn’t have to put a damper on bonds of friendship already formed.

Avoiding Retirement Stress

March 11th, 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in About the Villages Florida, Retirement Lifestyle | No Comments »

The last thing people expect when they retire from work is to feel stress.  Though it maybe a different kind of stress than having annoying co-workers, a demanding boss, and deadlines, retiring and the change that it brings can still be difficult.  In the same way that coffee, lunch breaks, and hobbies helped alleviate work stress, here are some ideas for creating a stress-free retirement lifestyle.

•    Get Physically Fit
Poor health can cause a lot of stress on an individual retiree and their partner.  Getting into shape and then staying healthy is a preventative measure.  Not only will getting fit and being active help you become physically healthy, it will help keep your mind and brain healthy as well.  Everyone says they want to “get into shape” but most are too busy to actually start.  Use your new-found free time to develop a more physically active retirement life-style.

•    Opportunities to Socialize
Depending on the retiree, retirement may mean moving and therefore loosing the social interaction of friends and family.  If you do move into a retirement village (such as Citrus Hills or Terra Vista), find ways to get involved with the community and start to meet and reach out to potential friends and new people right away.  A great idea would be to use getting physically fit and healthy as opportunities to meet new people.

•    Routines: Good or Bad?
Routines can be comforting; having a plan can help ease stress.  But with all the opportunities for socializing and trying new and exciting things, it may be tempting to over-commit, which only increases stress in the long-run.  Relax and take the time to figure out what sort of schedule works best for you and your spouse.  The need for socializing and staying fit and active have been mentioned, but setting boundaries on your time will help ease stress.

•    Security vs. Contentment
The ideal retirement lifestyle is one that is financially worry-free, but the reality can often be stressful.  Early planning will help eliminate money stressors, but it may be too late for that now.  If that’s the case, take advantage of free resources like online budgeting guides and other community resources.  Financial worries can be very stressful and consuming, but sometimes that stress can come from wants, not needs; a great stress-reliever is remembering the priceless (and free) things you do have like family, health, and friends.

Adjusting to Retirement: Problems and Solutions

March 11th, 2010 | Posted in About the Villages, About the Villages Florida, FL | No Comments »

Change is hard.  Even exciting changes can prove difficult.  Eagerly anticipated changes are still upheaval and therefore have the potential to be painful.  There are different reasons adjusting to retirement may prove to be somewhat stressful.  And with the average life-span continually increasing, most people can expect to spend more time in the retirement stage of life.  In order to fully enjoy the ease of the retirement years, solutions need to be found for potential problems.

1.    Problem: Retiring at Different Times
For couples where both work outside the home, its not unusual for one of the partners to retire before the other, which brings change and therefore a new kind of stress on the relationship. The partner still working may be jealous of the new-found freedom the other has.  Or the opposite could be true in that the retiree may be jealous of the purpose the other still has in their life. Both partners can end up resentful of and hurt by the other as they both adjust to one of them retiring.

Solution:
Acknowledge and realize, as a couple, that transitions are scary, even ones as exciting as     retirement.  In the same way that all the other life-adjustments and stresses a couple has     encountered before (such as kids, moves, job changes) have been opportunity for     arguments and distance between them, the life-style change to retirement is no different.  Tackle     this new stage of life with the same commitment to communication, patience, flexibility, and     compromise.

2.    Problem: Boredom and Feeling Purposeless
After spending years with clear purpose and direction, retirement may feel void of direction or a big-black hole of purposelessness.  Or what about those that may be able to find things to do around the house, but still don’t feel like they’ve accomplished anything truly worthwhile at the end of the day and puttering around the house feels pointless instead.

Solution:
Many retirees fill their days with the hobbies they’ve always wanted to pursue but have never had enough time, energy, or money to devote to before.  But for some, hobbies aren’t enough to fill the now-empty days.  Volunteering, part-time or seasonal jobs, and physical activities are a great way to get out of the house, feel useful, and continue to engage and challenge your mind and now-retired body.  Retirement is a new opportunity to set and work towards goals.

3.    Problem: Loss of Friends
Particularly for those who made many friends through the office and social butterflies who crave the interaction the bustling work-place offered, retiring can be lonely.  Or for the retiree moving to warmer weather or to be closer to the grandkids, you have lost not only the human interaction from your co-workers, but also the social network and support outside of the office, such as church, neighbors, or clubs.

Solution:
Retirement means having more time available, and even though you might not get the daily     interaction from surrounding co-workers, there are still many people out in the world, potential     friends, waiting to be discovered, the trick is figuring out how to get to them.  That might mean     getting to know neighbors or joining a club     (to match a hobby).  If you already have a network     of friends outside of work, but are planning on moving when you retire, why not consider a     retirement community?  Making new friends isn’t easy, but having so much in common with     those nearby will help make the transition easier.

4.    Problem: Forced Into Retirement and Financial Unknowns
Being forced into retirement because of company lay-offs can add the stress of financial unknowns.  You probably thought you had a few more years to figure out a plan and a little while longer to build up your savings, and now it might feel like you’re being forced to develop a plan for how the rest of your life is going to look.

Solution:
If you don’t already, now would probably be a good time to create and stick to a budget.  If     knowledge is power, then knowing what your new lifestyle looks like in the checkbook will     give you the information you need to take control of where you’re headed.  That might mean a     second career, part-time job, or just taking advantage of senior discounts.  Downsizing is     another way to begin to help retiree’s stick to a smaller budget.

Please visit The Villages, FL for more information.

Comments About Terra Vista Florida

March 11th, 2010 | Posted in About the Villages Florida, Comments on Terra Vista | No Comments »

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Retirement: The First Year

March 10th, 2010 | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The beginning of a change is often the hardest part.  Though retirement is usually a welcomed change and the first few months may feel like vacation, the first few years may prove to be difficult or awkward.  But those first couple of years will set the tone for the rest of your retirement and the rest of your life.  Here are some ideas on how to start off this new and exciting period of life on the right foot.

1. Wait a year to make any permanent changes.
A year waiting period is good for any major life transition.  While you wait, spend the year exploring your options and doing your research by talking to friends, using the internet, or traveling.  Take advantage of things like Terra Vista’s overnight-stay with county and community tours.  Though retirement may feel like vacation in the beginning, it is actually a major alteration in lifestyle.  This new lifestyle should start well and end well, so take the time to plan your future well.

2. Celebrate the transition.
As already stated, retirement is a new season of life, and this new season should be celebrated.  Many people have a party and use this transition as a reason to get family and friends together to celebrate what has already been accomplished and to share in the anticipation of what is to come.  Others plan a quieter, more intimate vacation.  Whatever you decide to do, it should commemorate the beginning of this new stage of life.

3. Watch what you spend.
With savings, more free time, and that retirement package, it may be tempting to spend more money or make large purchases to reward yourself for all those years of hard work.  But try to reign in the impulse to spend and remember to sleep on any large purchases.  Take some time to figure out if the purchase is impulsive or if it corresponds to your long-term retirement goals.

4. Create new, healthy habits.
Retirement is lifestyle change, so take full advantage of the transition and use the adjustment to create new routines that may be over-due.  Similarly to making New Year’s Resolutions, let the beginning of retirement be the opportunity to begin healthier habits.  Begin the rest of retirement on a solid foundation by eating better, getting more physical activity, get your legal documents in order, and all the other things you have been putting off for lack of time.  Set goals and figure out a plan to accomplish them.

5. Try new things.
Utilize your free time and flexibility to discover new aspects to life.  Try a new hobby and discover fresh ways to be creative.  Retirement can be a great opportunity for growth through adult learning classes or researching some short-term projects.  Look for ways and opportunities to make new friends, or re-connect with old ones that you may have lost touch with over the years.

In the end, relax, take your time, and enjoy the process of figuring out this new season of life.  Don’t let yourself get stressed, but allow time to rest and process your many years of hard work.  Remember what you have accomplished, do what needs to be done, and look forward to the future.

Planning a Memorable Retirement Party

March 5th, 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

A retirement party should be just that- a party!  After all the years of hard work and sweat the retiree has contributed, you want to plan a party that makes them feel appreciated and celebrated for what they have done, but also for who they are.  You may know the guest of honor primarily through the time they contributed at your company, but there is a lot more to them as a person; make this a celebration of not just what they have done, but who they are as well.  This is obviously primarily a celebration of the retiree’s working years, but don’t be afraid to include some touches reflecting their personal lives as well.  Here are some fun ideas to plan an easy, but memorable, retirement party.  Its all about the retiree for a few hours, and every aspect of the party should reflect that in some way.

Decorations:
Beyond what they have done and who they are, don’t forget to include aspects of where the retiree is going and what they plan on doing.  Are they retiring to Florida?  Then decorate the party with bright colors, pink flamingos, and other beach themes.  Is the retiree finally building their dream house in the mountains?  Use camping equipment and pine cones to create a festive air.  Retirement parties only happen once, so don’t be afraid to have fun with the decorations and maybe even go a little overboard.

Food:
The food should also tie into the theme of the party and reflect the guest of honor.  Maybe the first thing the retiree is planning on doing with their new-found freedom is to take that cruise in the Mediterranean.  If that’s the case, find a good Greek caterer and make sure there’s lots of Baklava.  If the retiree is most looking forward to spending their days boating, serve lots of seafood.  Or consider holding the party at the retiree’s favorite restaurant.  Don’t skimp on the quality of the food; if you’re planning the party on a tight budget, don’t give in to the temptation to save by getting cheap food.  Nothing puts a damper on a party faster.

Party Games and Entertainment:
Many people expect to toast (or roast) the retiree, but a fun variation of that is to create a Jeopardy-like game using questions based on the guest of honor.  Another great TV game show to use would be Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Some friendly competition for the attendees could be a small putt-putt course if the retiree is a golfer.  Whatever you plan, be sure to keep the retiree’s personality in mind; you want the end of the retiree’s time to be one of their best memories, not one of their most embarrassing moments.

After the party:
Whatever the retiree is going to end up doing now that their days of toiling are done, a great way to let those left behind know how to keep up with them as they head off to new adventures is through the party favors.  For the outdoors-y themed party, use wood picture frames with the retiree’s new contact information or an idea that can be incorporated into every theme is to put disposable cameras out on the tables and encourage friends or co-workers to document the party for the guest of honor themselves.

The options for themes of a retirement party are as diverse as the person you’re honoring.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match the many facets of the retiree’s life.  What is it they most look forward to doing in the future?  What are some of their greatest professional and personal accomplishments?  Every retiree has a unique story, take advantage of that uniqueness to plan a retirement party that they (and you) will never forget.

Consider your Wallet: Taxes in Retirement

March 4th, 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in FL | No Comments »

When considering retirement, smart consumers will take into account the tax burdens they will face in any potential location.  Living on a more static income requires planning ahead and gathering knowledge about the taxation issues that will face them in their new hometown or state.

Florida, specifically the Villages, FL, has long been a popular location for retirees, and with good reason.  A recent report by the Tax Foundation ranks Florida as number 47 when calculating local and state tax burdens.  When it comes to taxes, being ranked close to the bottom is a good thing!  Floridians pay no state income tax, which is a first consideration of many when choosing a new home state.  While the absence of state income taxes is certainly an attractive notion, one must ensure that the money saved in that area is not extracted from another source.  Some states that do not have a state income tax have very high property taxes.  This can put homeowners in a scenario in which, although their incomes are not taxed by the state, the price of home ownership increases yearly.

Florida’s property taxes are historically moderate and in recent years have been on the decline, partly thanks to legislation in the state on behalf of property owners.  Florida homeowners, such as those who have purchased homes in the Villages, Florida, are entitled to a homestead exemption on their property taxes if the home is their primary residence.  This homestead exemption allows for thousands of dollars in property value exemptions and ensures that the property tax on that residence will not increase by more than 3% in any one year.  Recently, a ballot initiative was passed in the state, doubling the homestead exemption for primary homeowners to $50,000, making this tax protection portable in most cases, and placing a 10 percent cap on annual rises in assessments for property that does not qualify for the homestead exemption.  Though not successful at this time, the state has also seen recent political movement to do away with property taxes altogether, which would greatly benefit homeowners.

Florida allows additional tax exemptions, including those listed here:

  • $500 widows and widower’s exemption
  • $500 disability exemption
  • $5,000 disability exemption for ex-service member
  • Service connected total and permanent disability exemption
  • Exemption for totally and permanently disabled person
  • Additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older
  • Homestead property tax discount for veterans age 65 and older with a         combat-related disability
  • Homestead tax deferral
  • Installment payment of property taxes

What about retirees who desire to open a small business in Florida during their retirement years?  Florida TaxWatch, a watchdog group committed to sound fiscal policy and lower taxes, recently released a report that ranked Florida as 12th in the nation for its business-friendly practices and tax laws.

Homeowners considering a move to the Villages, Florida are wise to consult their financial advisor about the great tax advantages of retirement to Florida.

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