Talking Retirement

Sixty-two Percent of us are Happy with Social Security

There’s a new AARP piece of research that’s just been published about Social Security and the public’s attitude towards it.  The basics are that 62% of us have a favorable view of Social Security in its current form, regardless of age groups. The same survey also found less than half of us (43%) think the Social Security program will be there for us when we retire.

Read more about the survey here >>

Money Mag’s Best Places to Retire 2004

I’m a little late finding this 2004 article, considering we’re firmly in 2005, but it’s worth a quick visit anyway. You won’t get much information about the cities unfortunately, but it might give you some places to consider. You can start a further information search if something here inspires you.

Best Places to Retire 2004 >

American Retirement Increasingly Rides the Market.

It’s not just the federal government. States and companies alike are looking for ways to shift the burden of funding retirement. They’re doing it by moving away from pensions and toward 401(k) programs and other self-funded vehicles. This article from the Christian Science Monitor explains. 

New study: Seniors and the Poverty Threshold

After reading the summary of this study, Understanding Expenditure Patterns in Retirement, it served as another wake-up call when it comes to really planning for my own retirement (if you keep up with the news, these aren’t that hard to come by unfortunately). The study’s big shocker is that 20% of retired single seniors have incomes below the poverty threshold (click for definition). Only 3% of married retirees fall in that category. 
Read the study.

These Days, “Retirement Living” Can Mean Many Things

There are many different styles of retirement living for elders, from assisted living to “virtual retirement communities.” This article from the New York Times explores some of the newer options.

Read the article.

“Top 10 Ways to Beat the Clock and Prepare for Retirement” According to the Dept. of Labor

I happened along this little “top ten” while watching David Letterman’s top ten. It’s not as funny, but it will probably do you better in the long run. Check it out for a primer on the subject we’re always talking about here.

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It’s the Law, You are Entitled to Your Credit Report.

A person’s credit report is owned by several different companies, which, until a law passed last year, you had to pay to see. Regardless of your financial state, you owe it to yourself to know what is in your report. Vist the government’s web site at the FTC’s website to get the full information you need.

Is Social Security Going Bankrupt? Some Perspective.

Washington is talking about reforming Social Security as we know it. As these discussions take place, people often refer to the system as being “bankrupt.” But is it, really? Here’s some perspective.

Read the full article.

Pension Agency Takes Over US Airways Workers’ Retirement Plans.

Concerned about whether your pension will be there when you retire? Many people are. The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. insures pension funds, but the government agency is running a deficit. This article about US Airways workers’ pension funds tells the story.

Read the full article.

Reading a Good Book.

I’ll file this under “Things I’ll do when I retire.”

This morning on Morning Edition on NPR, Nancy Pearl, librarian and author, talked about her favorite spy books. I’ve added most of them to my already long reading list. The one I’m most excited about is John le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and A Perfect Spy.

Read the article here.