Strategies for a Secure Retirement, Ep #37 

<p>Are you close to retirement? Are you ready to close up any loose ends you may need to deal with? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, I share a few simple tips to help you get on track for the retirement you’ve been working for. I also answer a couple of listener questions that came in over the last few weeks. Check it out!</p> <h2>You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...</h2> <ul> <li>[2:25] Strategies to reach a secure retirement</li> <li>[9:09] Ask for advice + get help <em>now</em></li> <li><em>[10:19] WHY I don’t give specific holding advice</em></li> <li>[14:52] Pension: lump-sum or annual annuity</li> </ul> <h2>Tips to jumpstart a secure retirement</h2> <p>Imagine you’re selling your house. Your real estate agent suggests a small change that would greatly enhance the value of your house. You’d make the changes and improvements, right? A simple change like updating lighting, redesigning landscaping, or redoing a bathroom can make a huge difference. It will likely drastically impact the outcome of your sale. Just like you want a successful outcome with your home sale, you want a successful retirement. So what can you do in the months leading up to retirement to improve your odds of a smooth transition? Here are a few ideas:</p> <ul> <li>What if you do a 401k or Roth IRA catch-up and max out your retirement accounts before your retirement? </li> <li>Are you retiring before age 65? Can you max out your HSA to help cover medical expenses? </li> <li>Can you pay off your mortgage? Or pay down other outstanding debt (credit cards or car loans)? <em>Find ways to clean up your debt</em>.</li> <li>What can you get rid of? Maybe disability insurance is no longer necessary. People carry life insurance to protect their spouse and family should they pass away prematurely (during their earning years). If you retire, you might not need life insurance. </li> <li>How will you handle health insurance in retirement? Will you jump on COBRA before Medicare? Or do you have union health insurance to br