BeenThereDone That asked:


I just graduated from college and will start to have to pay student loans within the next 5 months (about $13k) . I am also very interested in starting out a retirement account soon. I have been told that I can open an IRA for as little as $50 a month. Should I start to pay off the debt or start a retirement account? What is the best place to invest? I am 23 years old.

THOMAS

InternationalLiving asked:

International Living talks about Panama, which it has consistently voted as the number one retirement destination in the world. Watch experts describe real estate opportunities and investment potential in this overseas paradise. www.InternationalLiving.com

TURNEY

Peter Clark asked:


Retiring soon? You need a self managed IRA. Self managed IRAs, or what can be sometimes be called self directed IRAS, are by far the best management vehicle for soon to be retirees, or for that matter anyone who plans to retire in the future, and that’s all of us.

Retiring in the future is going to be a problem for those who want to retire comfortably. As the population ages and the tax base shrinks relative to those needing retirement pensions, pressure on government funds for retirees is going to grow. Those smart enough to recognize the problem need to act now, and a self directed IRA, preferably invested in real estate, is the best way to do it.

How serious is the problem for future retirees? A recent Social Security Administrations trustee report has found that by 2040 social security will not be able to meet full retirement benefits. Scary isn’t it?

An IRA, or an Individual Retirement Account, is a vehicle to direct money into a fund that is set up to provide for your retirement. And anyone serious about their retirement needs to plan and invest wisely for it, right now.

Why would you do that through a self managed IRA? Why not just save up for your retirement?

The answer is all to do with tax. The government has graciously allowed us all substantial tax benefits for planning for our retirement through an Individual Retirement Account.

Why would the government give you tax benefits for planning for your retirement? To encourage people to self fund their own retirement to take pressure off limited future public funds. I won’t go into all the tax benefits that attach to IRAs, except to say that if you’re serious about a comfortable retirement you simply must have your own IRA to help you plan and invest for your retirement. For more details on the tax advantages talk to your financial advisor.

Of course many people already have their own Individual Retirement Account. Problem is that these are set up through the banks and trustees and investment companies, which of course direct your IRA retirement funds into their own products. And the investment returns on these products are not spectacular. You won’t set yourself up with a comfortable pension on 6% or 8% return on investment.

Most IRA custodians only allow investments in a narrow range of investment vehicles like stocks, mutual funds, bonds and CDs.

However those in the know recognize that a self managed IRA is a far better vehicle to maximize returns on your retirement funds. If you rollover your current IRA into a self directed IRA you have full control over how, and where, your future retirement funds are invested, and far more potential to maximize your investment returns. And so to maximise your comfort level in retirement.

A self directed IRA custodian will allow you a much wider range of investments, and these include real estate.

Why would you want to invest your IRA into real estate, particularly in 2008 when the real estate market is in meltdown?

Firstly because real estate is always the best long term wealth creation tool, especially when it’s tax advantaged. It’s solid and less volatile than any other investment, and so allows you to borrow safely. Mortgages over real estate are much easier to obtain than, say, a loan to buy shares. Even in 2008.

And what about the current state of the property market? Why would anyone with a self managed IRA want to invest in real estate right now?

Because, like in any market, there are always fantastic opportunities available if you know where to look and how to invest. Not all real estate is a disaster, and there are some very good advizors with spectacular real estate investment opportunities available, even now.

One in particular offering no money down real estate investing opportunities to ordinary IRA and 401(k) investors (and ordinary credit investors) right now. Guaranteed returns and immediate equity, and backed by a solid investment strategy backed by a US public company with an impeccable record in real estate investing.

So if you’ve been thinking about your retirement, either in the short term or the long term, and either have your own IRA or need to set one up, do it. Set up your own self managed IRA or rollover into one, and get started planning and investing for your retirement, no money down, guaranteed.

You’ll be comfortable in your retirement if you do.



COWARD

Tha tru hustla asked:


Im in my early twenties and I just started working after finishing school, but I do want to start a retirement account. What source or foundation should I use for a retirement account?

Im pretty dumb in this area. Is a savings account through a company like ING Direct bad for a retirement account?

ORNELAS

dosoqi asked:

Learn how to Make Money Online with Google Adsense Videos. Great Online Marketing Tips, Tricks and Techniques. Find the Secrets about Google Adsense and Earn Income Online from your Own Web Site. Quit your Daily Job.

BOWLIN

Tony Rothery asked:


Cyprus has become the most popular Mediterranean holiday destination, with over 2.5 million visitors a year and with over 300 days of sunshine, holidaymakers are turning to Cyprus for their summer and/or Christmas self catering holiday experience, for the retired and active traveller looking for peace and tranquillity in a wonderful climate then a Cyprus self catering holiday villa is the best way to enjoy your independence and freedom while going out to explore the island, the island has witnessed a growth in the number of retired EU citizens purchasing and renting a Cyprus villa or a Cyprus apartment.

There are a number of benefits for those looking to retire and live in Cyprus, due to the islands historic links to the UK during the islands British colonial rule, driving is on the left as in the UK, law is based on the UK legal system, Cyprus banks offer very competitive interest rates on savings accounts in Euro, Sterling and the Turkish Lira, the health care in Cyprus is reputed to be better than the UK NHS, the crime rate is 00.01% and the lowest of all EU member states.

Many of the islands retired residents have joined an exclusive club known as the SKI Club (Spending the Kids Inheritance) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3493641.stm and are making the most of their active lives exploring, entertaining and enjoying the local Cypriot hospitality, buying a Cyprus property is an investment that no other EU country can compete with, property prices are lower than other EU holiday destinations and the retired investor will see a vast increase in the value of their property and an excellent return on their investment (ROI) each year.

A first for North Cyprus and a place in the Guinness book of records was recorded when Peggy McAlpine celebrated her 100th birthday in 2007.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-490904/Grandmother-celebrates-100th-birthday-worlds-oldest-paraglider.html

A famous saying in Cyprus is that “anything is possible” and what an inspiration Peggy will be for all the retired and active holiday makers and property investors who visit Cyprus, from paragliding to underwater scuba diving Cyprus is proud to be in the position to offer an array of sports and activities for all age groups.

wish2rent has witnessed a growth in popularity from holiday makers looking for a Cyprus self catering holiday villa or apartment, the website caters for more than holiday rentals and also publishes the festivals, activities, historical sites, and places of interest for Cyprus.

Checking the status of flight arrivals and departures from Cyprus Ercan, Larnaca and Paphos airports has been made easier with wish2rents flight tracking page which gives the user real time flight tracking data, this service can help to eliminate airport transfer waiting time and save on airport car park expenses.



AVILES

dolphine_luver84 asked:


Im 25 years old and want to start saving for retirement. How do i go by searching for a retirement plan?

WILLIS

Kanaga Siva asked:


Planning for retirement is something no sensible person can afford to ignore and it should be given high priority once you have passed middle age. After having led a very active life the idea of doing next to nothing all day long during your retirement will start causing nightmares as you draw closer to retirement.

What do you propose to do when you retire? You should have a retirement planning strategy in place. Retired life should be viewed from a different perspective altogether.

There are several options that you may want to consider when planning for retirement which will help you lead a healthy, happy and an active lifestyle.

If finance is not a problem, you could engage yourself in voluntary work. Many organizations are in the look out for retired personnel to help them run their organizations since their skills and expertise are very much valued and respected. Many voluntary organizations are service oriented and the opportunity to help people with no reward in return can indeed be a very satisfying experience and help you to maintain an active lifestyle.

Hobbies are another aspect you should think of seriously when you are planning for retirement. Though late in life this is a wonderful opportunity for you to revive and develop your hobbies such as painting, gardening, music and short story writing, you had been indulging in during your younger days. You probably still love your hobbies but had to give it up due to pressure of work and family responsibilities. Retirement should provide the opportunity to pursue your hobbies once again and enjoy doing it. If you are good at handicrafts and very dexterous with your hands you could plan to utilize your free time to indulge in this seriously and possibly make an additional income too.

Retirement and reduced income go hand in hand and this could be a problem for some who yet have family and other responsibilities to sort out. When planning for retirement you should plan out a strategy to work part-time in your present work place or find suitable employment elsewhere. May be you should follow a part-time course to find suitable employment after retirement which will enable you to maintain a reasonably good lifestyle and continue to be active.

Remaining mentally active is equally important during retirement. The computer and the internet are wonderful companions for retirees. If you are not sufficiently conversant with the computer you should learn to handle it before you retire. News from around the world, music, videos, complete novels are all right there at your finger tips. You could also be in touch with your kith and kin by e-mail. You can easily spend a couple of hours a day on the computer and enjoy it.

The computer and the internet can also be utilized to generate an additional income and keep you gainfully occupied if you are so inclined. You can enroll yourself with online paid survey companies and participate in online surveys for which you will be remunerated. Similarly participating in online auctions by enrolling yourself with e-Bay or other auction sites is another way of keeping yourself gainfully occupied.

An active lifestyle during retirement should be your goal. This does not preclude you from going on a world tour or enjoying yourself but your focus should be on remaining mentally alert and physically active as long as possible during retirement.



DORN

melinda923 asked:

Clip from French & Saunders Back with a Vengeance

GARNETT

Shelby Smith asked:


Many of you are in the red zone right before retirement, or you’ve already retired. No doubt your number one fear is running out of money in retirement. You’re part of a very large and growing demographic force: 35 million over age 65, 50 million drawing Social Security and 78 million baby boomers now turning 62. This means the future demand for everything used by the “retirement set” will increase, and “retirement prices” will rise dramatically. Many of you may have accumulated a retirement nest egg in a pension account, will draw a company pension and/or have other savings and investments earmarked for retirement. Where should you keep your retirement money?

If you’re keeping up with economic and financial developments, here’s what you’re seeing: sub-prime credit meltdown that has destroyed housing and is now spilling over into automobile debt and credit cards; highly volatile stock and bond markets; a weak dollar fueling higher prices for oil and other goods; more unemployment and rising inflation; retail sales, consumer confidence and new jobs creation in sharp decline; drastic interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve to avoid a recession; a money giveaway stimulus package from Washington to prop up the lagging economy; widespread talk of recession and stagflation. These all add up to troubled economic times which should prompt you to review where you have your retirement money.

You’re told the stock market is the best long term, but “long term” has a different meaning in retirement. Didn’t the dot.com stock market meltdown in 2000-2002 send many retirees back to work and prevent others from retiring? Aren’t the current inflation-adjusted stock market indexes below their previous peaks? Regardless, the loud voices of Wall Street and investment companies are advising you to buy now at bargain prices. Are the markets headed higher or is their advice self-serving? Who can forecast the economy or the stock market?

If the stock market craters as it did in 2000-02 and 1973-74, and you lose some of your retirement money, how will you replace it? Since there will be no second chance, I encourage you to think carefully before you commit your money. If you’ve been told that you’ll do just fine over the longer run (generally meaning ten years), make sure you can wait this long for a market rebound. Also remember that a rebound is not certain!

What about fixed rate places like government bonds, bank CDs and money market accounts? These are rock-solid safe unless your greatest fear is outliving your money. Since current fixed rates are lower than inflation, you’ll be losing purchasing power with these choices. The potential loss of purchasing power will only add to the risk of outliving your money. What about real estate, collectibles and non-market investments? These are not only risky but generally illiquid. Before committing your retirement money, ask yourself this question: “How will I handle the worse case outcome?”

There is one savings place that offers an “opportunity” to make an above-market rate of return without the risk of loss if held to term. It is guaranteed by some of the world’s oldest, strongest and largest financial companies. The rate of return is determined by stock/bond market indexes with owners sharing in the upside potential but avoiding downside losses. The worse case outcome is a guaranteed positive rate of return. The earned interest is income tax deferred until actually withdrawn and there is no mandatory age when the money must be used. Additionally, it can be turned into a guaranteed lifetime income that can be started, stopped and stored. What’s more, it offers penalty-free partial liquidity for emergencies and bypasses probate if the owner names a beneficiary. It can be opened for a small or a large amount, and sometimes more money can be added later. There is no law which limits the amount of money that can be placed in it. It is truly a safe place to keep retirement money.

It is maligned by Wall Street and bankers because it competes with their products. The financial press doesn’t like it either – primarily because they are uninformed, misinformed or just plain biased. I’m talking about fixed index-linked annuities that are offered by insurance companies: the same companies that insure your home, live, health, business and other valuable assets. The worse case outcome is a positive, albeit small, rate of return if held to maturity, but there is an opportunity to do much better. Fixed index-linked annuities are not for everyone, but you need to consider them as one of your safe options for retirement money. Where are you keeping your retirement money in today’s uncertain and troubled economic climate? If in risky places, now is a great time to review your options.

Shelby J. Smith, Ph.D.

March 2008

Learn about safe money places – check out the Retirement Pros website http://www.theretirementpros.com/ I’m also doing free monthly video seminars online sign up at: http://www.theretirementpros.com/Tele-Seminar-MRM.php

—————————————————————–



POULIN