Leaving A Different Kind Of Legacy

As you prepare your estate documents, along with the usual gifts of personal property and financial assets, there is another bequest you may consider that can be just a valuable.  One of the most loving gifts you can give to your family is a clear and comprehensive written “Legacy”; specifically a life’s narrative to be handed down through the generations. When you share the story of your life, you open a window to past events and make them real for your children and grandchildren.  Those who hear your stories gain a sense of continuity and knowledge about where they “fit in”.  Stories provide a sense of history and roots, and they transmit your values. There are more than six billion … [Read more...]

Retiring to a College Town

Retirees are flocking to university towns, drawn by the intellectual life, health care, culture, and youthful vibes.  They are looking to some of the nation's most dynamic college towns for intellectual stimulation, top-shelf medical care, and new homes. According to one Oregon couple, "Why not move to Austin, Texas?", and spend the time enjoying the "cultural stimulation of a university," a better climate, great restaurants, a music scene that is "off the charts," plus no state income tax. In the past, the great magnet for retirees was Florida, but today more of them are looking beyond the Sunshine State.  Now, college towns, with their vibrant cultural scenes and intellectual … [Read more...]

Retired, But Not the Retiring Type

not retiring typeFor today’s generation of people who are nearing retirement or already there, the decision about whether to keep working isn’t as clear-cut as with prior generations. We live in an era where working during retirement is a viable option for people into their 60s, 70s and beyond, as findings from a 2013 study conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research make clear. The study found that 8% of people 65 or older are working in retirement now. Meanwhile, among those who are working and not yet retired, 47% said it is very or extremely likely they will work for pay to some extent; another 35% said it is somewhat likely. Just because a person has … [Read more...]

Why Long-Term Care Is Important

Even a well-developed investment plan can fail for reasons that have nothing to do with investments.  It could fail because the family breadwinner dies prematurely and doesn't have enough life insurance to cover her loved ones.  Or it could fail because of an auto accident that results in a large judgment, and there's insufficient liability insurance in the form of an umbrella policy. This is why it's critical to integrate an investment plan into an overall estate, tax, and risk management (insurance) plan.  One area of concern that is all-too-often overlooked is the need for long-term care insurance (LTCI). According to a survey by Sun Life Financial (SLF), there's a major disconnect … [Read more...]