Retirement In the New Age

Are You Prepared For A Life of Leisure?

Consider These Numbers…

"At the end of WWII, there were 42 workers paying into Social Security
for each person receiving benefits. Today, barely three people contribute
for each recipient. Projections are that by 2030, when most baby boomers
will have retired, just two working people will contribute for each person
receiving benefits. (Social Security Administration, Trust Funds
Report, 1992)."
(Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

"Social Security benefits will replace only 16% of the income of married
couples earning $50,000 to $100,000 and only 9.5% of the income of married
couples earning $100,000 and only 9.5% of the income of married couples
earning $100,000-plus. (Office of Research and Economic Analysis, Pension
and Welfare Administration)."
(Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

"Working people tend to think their retirement lifestyle will be better than
their current lifestyle, but retirees report their standard of living has
declined. Example: Twenty-six percent of workers say they are "just
making ends meet," but only 16% think they will live this way in
retirement. Of retirees, 20% are "just making ends meet," while 16%
describe their pre-retirement lifestyle this way (Employee Benefit
Research Institute)."
(Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

Is this the reward for a life of ardent labor and selfless devotion?
I would like to think not. I did not write this article with the intent
to trouble you, instead I have written it in hopes of awakening you to
the issue before it's too late.

Now that we have discussed the problem, let's discuss some solutions.

If you're still in your youth, roughly between the ages of 20 and 35 you
still have time to start a traditional savings plan that will over time
build you a comfortable nest egg for retirement. But my main focus
in this article is to help those with much less time before retirement.

What do you do when you only have a few years left before retirement
and you realize that you don't have enough set aside to live the life of
luxury and leisure that we all hope for. Should you put your dreams
aside and continue to work through your golden years? No one
should ever have to do this. No, instead I propose you take fate into
your own hands, flip it upside down, and shake it until his pockets are
empty. Than pick up the cash dust yourself off, and enjoy your life.

Ways to "Flip Fate" - Retirement Plans & Solutions

Money is a game of self education. Those who have it prosper, those
who don't fail. It's that simple. So pick an option and get educated,
your retirement depends on it.

401(k)'s & IRA's
Time to put these bad boys into overdrive. Start plunging huge chunks
of your monthly income into either your 401(k) or your IRA. If your
company provides a lucrative compensation matching plan, than hit
that 401(k) hot and heavy as it has the potential to provide a return of
up to 25% 50% and sometimes even 100%!

Stocks & Mutual Funds
If you know what your doing, or have an Einstein of a broker, you may
want to take a look into this option, as the stock market is a proven
money maker for those who know the game. For those who don't stick
with mutual funds and a good broker.

Second Job
This is not a pretty one, but drastic situations call for drastic measures.

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These last two are quoted directly from MSN's "Money Central" and
are probably the two which are the most immediately lucrative choices
you have.

"Plan to sell your house and buy a smaller one or get out of the real
estate market altogether.
This is especially true if you're planning to move to a retirement
community with lifetime services. If you need your home equity for living
expenses, you can always take a reverse mortgage."

"Start a business on the side.
There are many benefits to this, especially if you're close to retirement.
First, you can usually contribute up to 25% of your self-employment
income to a tax deductible Keogh plan even if you're already putting
money in another plan.

The second benefit is that your new knowledge and experience makes you
more valuable to your current employer. Third, if you're laid off or
experience job discrimination in terms of a pay raise, you have another
income. Also, once you're officially retired from your primary job, you
have a nice business that can continue to generate income. It gives you
some great tax deductions and still allows you to sock away money for
retirement, whenever you finally decide you can afford to slow down."

Your financial future is dictated by the choices you make today. Don't
let retirement sneak up on you as it has so many others. Make a decision
to take action today. Good luck, and enjoy your retirement!

Wishing you success,
Michael Bosse
mike_jb2@hotmail.com

Health, Wellness & Wealth - The Freedom and Time to Enjoy
Life to it's Fullest! Be part of the next Trillion Dollar
Industry...Health! Benefit from the best health products
available, than share them and profit http://www.artofhomebusiness.com/V4L

Pressed for cash, many people will take money out of their individual
retirement account (IRA) as a means to get quick access to capital.
They do this even though they have to pay taxes and generally
if they are younger than 59 ½, also pay a 10% penalty on the money
they withdraw.

Only as a last resort should one touch their retirement savings
for anything other than retirement expenses. But, in those cases
when you need to tap into your retirement savings, a way to get money
out of your retirement account without paying the penalty and deferring
the tax was just made available beginning in 2002, as a result
of a tax law change.

Under the new law, those with a small business and no employees
or only a spouse as an employee can establish Solo-Owner 401(k) plans
and take a loan from those plans. The loan from the Solo-Owner 401(k)
is not treated as a withdrawal. As such it is not subject to tax
and the 10% penalty for early withdrawal as long as you repay the loan
on time.

You can roll over or transfer the funds you have in your IRAs, 401(k),
403(b), or other qualified retirement funds into your Solo-Owner 401(k)
and then borrow from the balance in your Solo-Owner 401(k) plan.

Employees of large corporations for the most part always had
the ability to borrow from their 401(k). Now small business owners,
such as freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs, who have left
the corporate world also have that choice. They can borrow up to the
lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the balance in their 401(k).
A Solo-Owner 401(k) plan gives small business owners the opportunity
to defer up to $40,000 per year in a tax deferred retirement plan
and the flexibility, should they ever need it, to borrow from their
retirement funds.

The Solo-Owner 401(k) plan goes under different names depending on
the provider of the plan. Make sure you are aware in advance of
the fees that may be associated with rolling over or transferring
your money into or out of your Solo-Owner 401(k) plan.
For more information on the Solo-Owner 401(k) plan and other ways
to get money out of your retirement plan while minimizing the taxes
and penalties visit www.InvestSafe.com