Today’s Prep:
Why should you have a customized financial plan? What do you need to consider and what goals help you build an outline for your plan? Join us as we talk about what goes into the process of setting someone up for a secure future.
Equipping Points:
If you don’t like a cookie cutter house or a one-size-fits all shirt, you probably don’t want a financial plan that’s the same for everyone. Customizing your financial plan allows you to find the scenarios that work best for you. So, what questions do you need to consider?
Is 65 the retirement age? Instead of asking when most people retire, ask, when do you want to retire? Choose a date that you want and then see how your plan works.
What does your retirement lifestyle look like? Are you all about travel? Want to eat out more? What does it cost to maintain your standard of living? It’s important to plan for more than just covering your utility bills, but considering what you want retirement to consist of.
How much risk should you have in your portfolio? It really comes down to your risk tolerance. While there are suggested amounts of risk compared to your age, that ultimately differs from person to person. Stress test your plan and know your risk score. Are you a conservative or moderate or aggressive investor?
Without knowing for sure how long you’ll live, what kind of longevity do you plan for? Not only that, but do you hope to leave a legacy? Would you rather give some of your money to heirs now? It’s important to consider what you want as a part of your customized plan.
Have you met with an advisor to create your customized retirement plan?
Listen to the entire episode or click on the timestamps below to skip to a particular part of the planning process.
1:20 – What is the planned retirement age?
3:47 – What is your lifestyle and income needs?
5:21 – What is your risk tolerance?
7:21 – Does health history factor in?
9:22 – Will you leave a legacy?
Today’s Takeaway:
“Retirement is about what you want, not about someone else tells you that you have to have.“
-Eric Peterson
Related Resources:
Uncommon Sense in Financial Planning
Subscribe To The Podcast:
Apple Podcasts - Google Podcasts - Spotify - Stitcher - iHeartRadio - TuneIn
Check out some other recent episodes
The National Park Guide to Retirement Planning
Whether you’re visiting one of the 63 national parks this summer or just hitting a local trail, a lot of the best practices for a great hike apply just as well to your retirement plan. Today, Eric “walks” through a few.
Mailbag: Simplify Your Retirement Accounts
Sometimes, the most valuable retirement lessons come from the questions people are asking every day. In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles listener questions covering investment organization, diversification, and pursuing new opportunities later in life.
Where Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?
What does “guaranteed income” really mean in retirement, and is it actually possible to create a paycheck you can count on for life? In this episode, Eric breaks down the different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, investments, rental properties, and insurance-based solutions. He explains the risks many retirees overlook when relying solely on portfolios, dividends, bonds, or rental income and discusses why predictable income streams can play an important role in a well-designed retirement strategy.
Mailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines
In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles a variety of listener questions about retirement and financial planning.
He breaks down complex topics into clear, practical guidance to help you make more confident money decisions.
Mailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds
A lot of people think they’ll work forever, until life changes the plan. In this special mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about retirement timing, backup planning, target date funds, and how to think about risk as retirement gets closer.
Old Accounts Could Be Costing You
Today, Eric discusses why old financial accounts deserve a second look. He explains how reviewing these accounts can uncover missed opportunities, improve efficiency, and help create a more coordinated financial plan.