Retirement isn't what it used to be. In many ways, it's better. People are living longer and enjoying healthier and more active retirement years. On the financial side, however, trends are not as positive. For a combination of reasons, the goal of a financially secure retirement is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.

Retirement used to be a relatively short period of ten years or less. Now a 20-, 30-, or in some cases, even a 40-year retirement isn't out of the question. A longer and more active retirement requires greater financial resources. Underestimating your retirement needs now can put a crimp in your future retirement lifestyle. Basing your planning on a projected retirement span that is too short can put you at risk of outliving your resources.

People used to rely on Social Security benefits to see them through retirement. You shouldn't. The current average monthly Social Security benefit places a retiree just above the federal "poverty level." This amount of income certainly won't support the retirement most of us dream of. At best, you can depend on Social Security to provide a basic safety net.

And, these days, fewer companies provide pension plans for their employees and people change jobs more often than in the past, making it less likely that they will qualify for a significant employer pension. Without a pension, how will you finance your retirement? To a large extent, the answer is up to you.

This retirement guide is designed to show you how to take charge of your future by beginning to plan for your retirement now. With a little forethought, you can have the retirement you want. The booklet is not intended to take the place of professional advice. You'll want to consult with us before using any of the planning tools or strategies we discuss.

Click here to download the Retirement Planning Guide Worksheets. You will need these worksheets to get the most benefit from the Retirement Planning Guide.

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