| Much of the discussion concerning retirement planning | | | | costly. During this time, for example, your investment |
| is targeted toward men who are retiring from their | | | | strategy will likely become more conservative to |
| careers with a spouse who seems to be considered | | | | reduce the potential for large losses in your |
| 'along for the ride'. Perhaps that scenario was true in | | | | investment portfolio. Beware of any advice during |
| the fifties, sixties and seventies but, for a lot of the | | | | this time which points toward more risky |
| population, that is no longer true today. | | | | investments. |
| Among the Baby Boomer generation are millions of | | | | While in the Zone, you must avoid doing anything |
| single women who must plan for their retirement | | | | that will disturb your retirement financial plan. Many |
| independent of any spouse. This is a double edged | | | | just-retired women, feeling free of the ties that |
| sword. While this independence eliminates the | | | | bound them, rush off to travel the world or invest in |
| responsibility to provide for another person in your | | | | playthings (condos, lakehouses, motor homes, etc). |
| retirement years, it also means that there is only a | | | | You must avoid this temptation unless you are |
| single source of income to fund the retirement. | | | | among the most fortunate of retirees! |
| Obviously, the earlier that a woman begins to think | | | | For most of us, it would be good to consider using |
| about and plan for her retirement, the better off she | | | | your free time to get involved in a post-retirement |
| will be when she gets to the retirement "Red Zone". | | | | activity that will generate some extra cash and give |
| The "Zone" begins 5 years before actual retirement | | | | you something productive to do so that you can |
| and ends 5 years after your retirement date. At all | | | | retain your sense of self worth and remain as active |
| times before you enter the Zone, time is on your | | | | as possible. Any extra money that you can earn |
| side. If you make mistakes or the market for your | | | | from such an endeavor (and there are many, many |
| investments has a downturn, you still have time to | | | | such opportunities out there!), can be used to |
| recover. | | | | minimize the amount of your retirement nest egg |
| It is really important that you obtain some really good | | | | that you will use each year. |
| and independent advice concerning your retirement | | | | You don't need to 'go to work' at another J.O.B., that |
| planning. By "independent", I mean a Certified Financial | | | | is not what retirement is all about! You can find |
| Planner to whom you directly pay a fee for his or | | | | opportunities, though, that will allow you the freedom |
| her advice. Do not depend on advice from anybody | | | | to do and go where you want and still provide some |
| who derives their income from a commission or fee | | | | level of income. You probably won't require a |
| based on the investment of your funds. This would | | | | tremendous income when you evaluate your |
| be like asking a beautician if you need a new | | | | retirement plan in its entirety. But, every dollar that |
| hairstyle! | | | | you can keep from spending during the "Red Zone" |
| Once you are in the Zone, however, you no longer | | | | years will provide a greater level of security for the |
| have the advantage of time on your side and | | | | rest of your retirement years. |
| mistakes made during this time can prove very | | | | |