​It’s vacation season! Where are you travelling to this summer? Are you headed to the beach to soak up the sun and enjoy the waves? Or are you more of a lakes and mountains person? Perhaps you’re travelling to historical sites or a favorite national park.
 
Whatever your vacation plans may be, there’s no doubt that it’s nice to get away, relax, and recharge. If you’re like most people, you probably dread the end of your vacation and the return to the daily grind.
 
Fortunately, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Retirement is your opportunity to leave the working world behind and live life on your terms. You can hit the beach, the mountains, the golf course, or pursue any other activity that you enjoy.
 
Of course, to truly live life on your terms in retirement, you’ll need a strong financial foundation. If you don’t have the right strategy in place, you may not have the means to enjoy your golden years. Below are a few tips to consider as you approach retirement. Implement these ideas and your retirement can be one long vacation.

Use a budget. 

According to a recent study from Debt.com, 33%of Americans don’t use a budget.1 If you’re among those who do use a budget, you’re off to a good start. However, if you don’t use one, now may be the time to start doing so.
 
A budget is one of the most powerful financial tools at your disposal. You can use it to track your spending and make informed purchasing decisions. Your budget can keep your spending under control so you can boost your savings.
 
A budget can also be helpful when you enter your retirement. You’ll likely enter retirement with more assets than you’ve ever had. It can be tempting to spend that money on vacations, shopping, dining out, and more. Retirement can last several decades, though. If you spend too much in the early years of retirement, you may not have enough assets left in the later years. A budget can help you control your spending and make your assets last.

Create guaranteed* income. 

One way to preserve your assets is to develop income streams that cover your expenses. If you have enough guaranteed* retirement income to fund your regular expenses, you can use your savings to fund discretionary costs like travel.
 
Social Security is a common source of guaranteed* income. If you’re fortunate enough to have a defined benefit pension, that can also be a source of guaranteed* lifetime income. However, you may need additional income to cover your expenses.
 
An annuity may be an option to consider. There are several different types of annuities you can use to generate guaranteed* income. For instance, some annuities offer a guaranteed* withdrawal benefit. Your funds have the potential to grow and you can withdraw up to a certain amount each year. As long as you stay within the withdrawal limits, the income is guaranteed* for life. This kind of guaranteed* income can give you financial predictability and certainty.

Minimize risk. 

Nothing can derail your retirement plans like a costly emergency. For retirees, health care expenses can be especially dangerous. Fidelity estimates that the average retiree will spend $285,000 out-of-pocket on health care costs like deductibles, premiums and copays.2
 
You can take steps now to minimize those costs. For example, a health savings account (HSA) could help you pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Long-term care insurance could help you pay for extended care, either in your home or in a facility.

Also consider the importance of life insurance in retirement. If you have a spouse who is dependent on your defined benefit pension benefit or other income, life insurance could be a key risk protection vehicle. If you pass away, your spouse may face serious financial challenges, and that could limit their ability to enjoy the remainder of their retirement.
 
Ready to plan your ideal retirement? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Marshall Life and Financial Solutions, Inc. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
1https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fewer-americans-are-budgeting-in-2019----although-they-think-everyone-else-should-300824384.html
2https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/plan-for-rising-health-care-costs
 
*Guarantees, including optional benefits, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer, and may contain limitations, including surrender charges, which may affect policy values.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
 
19007 - 2019/6/27

It’s that time again. The Fourth of July is here. It’s time for barbeques, pool parties, and fireworks.  The holiday is a great midpoint in the summer to take time away from work and connect with family and friends.
 
While the Fourth may be a time for parties, it’s also a time to honor history. The holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which stated that the 13 American colonies were free, independent states and were no longer subject to British rule.
 
Independence is an important value in our society. We all want the ability to chart our own future and live life as we determine. Unfortunately, sometimes our independence is restricted by financial challenges. That’s especially true when costly emergencies arise.
 
One of the most financially damaging events that can happen to any family is the death of a breadwinner or provider. If you financially support your spouse, children, or other dependents, your death could create a serious financial challenge for your family. They may have to change their lifestyle or even move to a more affordable home. They may be overwhelmed with bills. They could have to change their long-term goals, like college or retirement. In short, they could lose their independence.
 
Fortunately, you can use life insurance to protect them in the event that you suffer an accident or illness and pass away. The odds of that happening may be small, but the risk is too large to ignore. Life insurance provides your loved ones with a tax-free lump sum of cash that they can use to replace your income, pay bills, and protect their independence.
 
Do you have a protection strategy for your family? If not, now may be the time to consider it. Even if you do have life insurance, it’s always helpful to review your coverage and make sure it’s still consistent with your needs and goals. Below are a couple questions to consider:

How much life insurance do you need? 

What is the right coverage amount for you and your family? Many people use a multiple of their salary to calculate their coverage. For example, they may use three times or even ten times income as an estimate.
 
While these types of estimates are simple, they may not always be accurate. A more effective approach is to base your coverage on your family’s specific needs. Think about what costs your spouse, kids or other dependents may face after your passing. What kind of financial challenges could arise?
 
They may need to replace your income over an extended period of time. You may want them to have enough money to pay off the mortgage or other debts. Perhaps you want to help them reach their long-term goals, like college or retirement. There also may be costs related to your death, like medical costs or final expenses.
 
A financial professional can help you identify these costs and estimate their amount. He or she can also help you consider other factors, such as how to distribute your death benefit to your loved ones or how the funds may be managed after your passing.
​
What’s the right type of life insurance for you? 

Not all life insurance is the same. There are many different types, but most fall into one of two categories: term or permanent. Term insurance has a limited duration, like 10 or 20 years. You pay premiums over that period in exchange for coverage. When the term ends, so does your protection.
 
Term insurance is useful when you have limited need. For instance, many people use term policies that align with the length of a mortgage. Others may use term insurance when they have young children in the home.
 
As the name suggests, permanent insurance lasts for life, as long as you meet the premium requirements. Permanent policies also have a cash value component. A portion of your premium goes into the cash value account, which can then grow on a tax-deferred basis. You can eventually use your cash value to pay future premiums, buy additional coverage, or even to generate income.
 
Ready to develop your life insurance strategy? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Marshall Life and Financial Solutions, Inc. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
 
19011 - 2019/7/1