| Retirement planning is a crucial part of planning for | | | | trusts (REIT) and other investment opportunities can |
| your future. Unfortunately, it is oftentimes left on the | | | | be found at the American Association of Retired |
| back burner because many people do not have | | | | Persons website. |
| sufficient income to contribute to a retirement fund | | | | Another source for obtaining retirement planning |
| or investments. Today, a large percentage of | | | | information is through the U.S. Social Security |
| Americans are living paycheck to paycheck; struggling | | | | Administration. The SSA website provides financial |
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| planning a second thought. | | | | help you determine the amount of social security |
| In a perfect world, retirement planning would begin at | | | | benefits you may be entitled to in your later years. |
| birth. Imagine how much money you could have if | | | | MyMoney.gov is a website operated by the U.S. |
| your parents put just $10 a week into a retirement | | | | Financial Literacy and Education Committee. This |
| account starting the day you were born. The reality | | | | unique website provides a wealth of financial |
| is most Americans do not begin planning for their | | | | information and offers a free toolkit which includes a |
| retirement until they are well into their 40s or 50s. | | | | Consumer Action handbook and numerous retirement |
| Even worse, many people don't prepare for their | | | | planning tools. |
| golden years at all. Instead, they end up living off a | | | | Several employers offer retirement planning benefits |
| fixed income provided by the government. | | | | to employees. In some instances employers provide |
| Retirement planning doesn't have to difficult, | | | | retirement education classes hosted by the benefits |
| confusing, or overwhelming. It is not limited to the | | | | provider or through individual counseling provided by |
| wealthy or fortunate few. In fact, planning for your | | | | the human resources department. |
| retirement can be downright exciting and | | | | Chances are your banking institution offers |
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| All it takes is a bit of time to conduct research or | | | | at the bank, stop in the lobby and pick up financial |
| consult with a professional retirement planner. | | | | and retirement planning literature. Better yet, arrange |
| Perhaps one of the most trusted and reliable | | | | a meeting with the branch manager to begin taking |
| resource for retirement advice is the American | | | | steps toward your future. |
| Association of Retired Persons. An advocate for | | | | Last, but not least, investment firms are an excellent |
| retirees, the American Association of Retired Persons | | | | source for obtaining retirement planning information |
| offers a comprehensive financial planning section on | | | | and advice. Professional investors can help you |
| their website. | | | | develop a diversified financial portfolio to ensure you |
| Everything you ever wanted to know about | | | | achieve both long and short-term financial goals. |
| Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), Simplified | | | | By taking time now to research opportunities which |
| Employee Pension (SEP), stocks, bonds, mutual funds, | | | | allow your money to grow, you will be able to sit |
| low-cost index investments, real estate investment | | | | back and relax during your golden years! |