Aging to Retirement

Aging to Retirement

Retirement is supposed to be a happy day for all. Once we hit the desired age we can quit work all together and begin our life of leisure. Travel the world and do all the things we did not get to do before life became life. You know how it goes, you blink and the next thing you know you are 50 and your kids are grown. But for many retirement is not a joyful time. It becomes a major stressor or never comes at all. In a Washington Post article by Jonnellle Marte, she states that one in five people have not saved for retirement at all. 18 percent of polled individuals said that they envisioned a traditional retirement. Where they would work full time to a particular date and then quit work completely. (Marte, 2014) That statistic blows my mind. We work our whole lives so that we can provide for our families and one day retire and be able to do all the things we have always wanted to do. This is a huge issue in America that never seems to get any light shined upon it. Marte also states that from the same polling 45 percent said that their plan was to rely on social security and did not have personal savings. I believe we have a large education issue when it comes to retirement planning. 41 percent of people ages 18-29 have never thought about retirement planning. (Marte, 2014) We need to be educated earlier rather than later on retirement planning so that we can set ourselves up for the future. While many people believe that retirement planning is for the elderly they are very much mistaken.

You have had a consistent job and paycheck for the last 30-35 years and you decide that tomorrow you are retiring and the checks are going to stop. No more income. Social security you have paid into your whole life is not coming yet or is gone from federal budget. How much do you need to be comfortable in retirement and continue your life as you see fit? You probably have a couple grandchildren that you want to spoil and do as much for them as you possibly...