Early retirement

Tom Godwin’s short story, The Cold Equations, was published in the August 1954 issue of Astounding Magazine. Many consider it to be the best science …

Inflation is the greatest enemy of retirees. Explore 4 ways to beat inflation back in retirement.

The solution to too much or too little weight is solved with generally the same strategies. There are three things needed to maintain an ideal weight: diet, exercise and sleep. Do it right and you stand a good chance of living a long time. Do it right and you increase your chances at high levels of health and happiness. Do it right and your level of happiness should go up significantly. Do it right and you will truly be wealthy.

Personal factors, your tax bracket, expected future income and when you plan on retiring all play a role. The answer isn’t as simple as playing the tax bracket game (convert be low a certain tax bracket only).

Other considerations can affect you taxes down the road. Even Medicare premiums are an issue. A high required minimum distribution (RMD)(currently starts at age 72, but pending legislation will gradually raise that to 75, if passed) can cost more than just a tax bill. It can also increase your cost for Medicare.

The best way to handle a Roth conversion discussion is to break it into two parts: the conversion phase and the retirement phase.

The most overlooked trick to growing wealth is right before your eyes. You can literally get rich doing anything.

Retirement is the one universal goal. Some plan for a traditional retirement while others dream of cutting their own trail sooner. Early retirement is a worthy goal and achievable with a modest amount of planning.

There are 10 things to consider before you submit your resignation. If you cover each issue properly early retirement will fulfill your dreams. Poor planning could put you back into the workforce.

The map below is a handy guide for your journey. Click on the map to enlarge and print. This map, along with the information below, can have you enjoying early retirement in record time.

Before taking the plunge into retirement, early or traditional, you need to consider factors that will reflect the rest of your life. Handled correctly, early retirement can be a fulfilling blessing. Without proper planning you risk a return to employment you wanted to get away from.

Retirement means different things to different people. Some want to sit back and enjoy a life of leisure. Others wish to travel extensively. And there are some who consider retirement the grand opportunity to start the business of their dreams (maybe not technically retirement, yet still fulfilling), write a book or engage in charitable work.

The path you choose is up to you; there is no right or wrong answer as long as it suits your temperament. There are considerations with right and wrong answers. Get these wrong and retirement can be less than the blessing planned.

Money and taxes play a large role in when you retire and what activities you engage once in retirement. Meaningful activities and family are also serious considerations. 

To help you prepare for retirement, I will discuss 10 things of vital importance to smooth the transition. I provide a starting point. You need to prepare from the starting point I provide so retirement plans are retirement realities.

The backbone of financial wealth is built on hard work. Yet, physical, mental, spiritual and financial wealth cannot coexist with uninterrupted labor. Every business owner knows, or should know, the power of a vacation. And if you want optimal health and wealth, you better know, as well.