RETIREMENT

Retirement is changing and the way to define it is largely a matter of personal preferences. It's no longer an end. Rather, retirement is a transition to a new stage of life — with opportunities and advantages that have never existed before.

Retirement planning should begin long before you're old enough to retire, but it shouldn't stop there. Many of us will spend 30–35 or more years in retirement, raising concerns about outliving our money. The cost of goods and services continue to rise and Social Security is only a foundation, at best.

The Social Security Administration estimates that your Social Security benefits will provide only one-quarter to one-third of the amount you'll need. The rest will have to come from your company's retirement plan or from your personal savings.