Perspectives & Insights Article

Many of us feel we know the basics of Social Security, but did you know there are hundreds of different ways to claim your benefits? While we can’t cover all of them, we can offer strategies to help keep your retirement goals on track as you progress into this new life stage.

Staying mentally active is particularly important as you consider your retirement activities.

Retirement planning can be stressful even in the best of times. With so many factors and moving parts to consider, how do you determine what’s right for you? Read on for five current day issues that can play into your retirement decisions.

If you are changing employers or find yourself unexpectedly unemployed, your financial plan can change dramatically, and you need to consider what to do with the assets in your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. Decisions made now can greatly impact your financial condition upon retirement, so it is important to research your options and understand the merits of each choice.

Leaving the workforce and retiring is both an exciting time and one of stress — creating a number of questions and concerns. As with any major life change, planning ahead can enhance the outcome of your long-awaited move to retirement.

While we don’t know what the future may bring, we can plan for the possibilities. For many of us, this includes acknowledging that we may need extra assistance down the line, in the form of long-term care.

Life is filled with stress, and both financial and emotional change in the workplace and at home ― expected or not ― can certainly increase your anxiety level. According to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America™ survey, money and work remain the two most commonly reported sources of stress, and losing or changing a job can be found at the top of any “life’s biggest stressors” list.