Get solid advice on how to build a successful retirement plan. A qualified financial advisor can help prepare your will and estate, as well as set retirement goals. Determine if you are saving too little or too much for retirement.

Retirement Planning

Polls show about 83% of employees fear they aren't putting enough money away for retirement. A qualified financial planner can provide expert advice for those who have gotten a late start with retirement planning. Retirement planning, for most of us, seems like something we can deal with years from now. However, to provide a decent income to retire on requires us to start planning today.

Get solid advice on the basics:

• Retirement Planning
• Retirement Income
• 401(k)
• Annuities
• Pensions
• IRAs
• Social Security

Retirement planning is about more than just saving money. A solid retirement plan should also offer a joyful lifestyle. You should consider how you would like to spend your time since you will have much more of it. Perhaps you like to travel, work in the garden, play golf, spend time with the grandchildren or relax in the comfort of a nice home with a view. Retirement planning should go far beyond finances. Today there are many choices for those about to retire. Now is the time to plan a retirement that will meet all of your needs, as well as continue to offer the pleasures of life you worked so hard to obtain. Planning for retirement shouldn't be viewed as an ending, it should looked upon as a continuation of living.

Retirement Income

Funding your IRA is a solid way to increase your retirement income. As you may be aware, beginning in 2005, you can contribute $4,000. In 2008, you can contribute $5,000 to your IRA. If you can contribute the maximum to your IRA, you will be surprised at how large your retirement income can grow.

If you belong to your company's pension plan you can transfer pension funds to a Traditional IRA when you retire or leave your job. You could possibly transfer all of your pension money within a year. Pension funds, when transferred to an IRA are not subject to annual contribution limits.

You may consolidate your IRAs for better management of your funds and if you are not satisfied with the earnings on a particular IRA. There are no penalties or taxes if you choose this method of possibly bettering your retirement income. However, the IRS will allow only one transfer in a 12-month period that involves the money being taken out.

If you transfer funds between IRAs or between a pension fund and an IRA, you can request a direct transfer from one account to another. You may also have the money sent directly to you. If you take the money, you have 60 days to reinvest the funds in an IRA. The advantage of having the money sent directly to you is that allows you a 60-day grace period of tax free working capitol. However, you may have to pay a penalty on your withdrawal if you fail to reinvest your money. If you are afraid you may lose your IRAs' tax-deferred status, request a direct transfer.