book is different. My guiding principle is that each person's idea of a happy retirement is different. Your goal for retirement is as unique as you. That’s why a rule of thumb or guidance for someone else’s retirement is not an exact roadmap for your vision of the future.
This realization is both liberating and challenging. It's liberating to know that you can work with your current situation and goals and still find solutions for retirement planning.
So what’s the challenge? The tougher part is figuring out what you want your retirement to look like, especially if your retirement is decades away. So if guessing what you want your future to look like is so challenging, why bother? Simply, the sooner you start, the easier the task will be. Time is your greatest ally when preparing for retirement, so don’t waste it!
Luckily, many tools are available to help. Think of this book as your guide to mapping out your retirement plan. You discover not only what your retirement goals should include but how to make those goals a reality.
About This Book
Retirement Planning For Dummies will help you picture what you want your retirement to be, determine what you need to do to make it happen, and discover ways to find out if you’re on track. I share the tricks, tips, and secrets I’ve learned from a career writing about retirement for readers just like you. Unlike other retirement books that try to scare you into saving more, this book looks at retirement planning as an exciting way to think about your future.
Foolish Assumptions
No matter your skill or experience level with investing, you can get something out of Retirement Planning For Dummies.
I assume that some readers haven’t saved a dime and don’t know the difference between a 401(k) and a 747. Or maybe you've finally decided that it’s time to start thinking about the future. Part 1 is custom-made for both types of readers, stepping through all the key points in plain English. Although I cover all the technical mumbo-jumbo, such as SEP-IRAs and 401(k)s, I do so only to show you how these are just tools to help you get the retirement you want.
I assume also that some armchair quarterbacks might pick up this book, looking to discover a few things. Planning for retirement is like a second job for some people. For these folks, this book describes more advanced topics and provides select online resources that can add new tools to a retirement toolbox.
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
In addition to the content in this book, I've provided an online cheat sheet. The cheat sheet shows you how to get started with retirement planning in just 15 minutes, offers tips for retiring early, and shows you how long a million dollars would last. To see the cheat sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type Retirement Planning For Dummies in the search box.
Where to Go from Here
If you’re just starting to think about retirement or are about to sign up for your first 401(k), consider starting at the beginning. That way, you’ll be ready for some of the more advanced topics I introduce later in the book.
If you’ve been planning for retirement for some time and have a strategy you think is working for you, you might want to skip to Part 2.
And if you want to know more about a specific topic, simply look it up in the index or check the table of contents and then flip to the appropriate page.
Part 1
Getting Started
IN THIS PART …
Put away your fear of retirement planning and learn to look at it as a positive way to build your future.
Gain a better understanding of your run rate, or how much you spend on a regular basis.
Determine how much you’ll need for retirement.
Learn the unique characteristics and benefits of various retirement accounts.
Measure how much risk you can tolerate in your retirement plan.
Chapter 1
Retirement Planning Is Up to You
IN THIS CHAPTER
If
