Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 2 – Video
Posted: February 14, 2012 at 11:09 pm
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Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 2 - Video
Subliminal Health Fitness Diet Solution 11 – Video
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Vital Signs: Alzheimer's Research; the World's Oldest Living Twins
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The latest facts and figures from the all of the most influential medical journals; newspapers; and health, fitness, and wellness websites.
130,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that the Obama administration is designating in extra funding for Alzheimer's research over the next two years. Source: "A.M. Vitals: Room for Compromise on Contraception Coverage?" the Wall Street Journal. 450,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) already spends on Alzheimer's research every year, according to Kaiser Health News. Source: "A.M. Vitals: Room for Compromise on Contraception Coverage?" the Wall Street Journal. 102 -- The age of Edith Ritchie and Evelyn "Evie" Middleton, the oldest living twins, according to the Guinness World Records. Between the two of them, they have eight children, 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 35 -- The percent that happy people are less likely to die an early death, according to a November 2011 British study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 15 -- The average number of years that women who exercised at least 30 minutes every day, avoided obesity and smoking, and stuck to a Mediterranean diet lived longer than those who did none of those things. Source: "World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters, Says Guinness World Records," CBS. 1,081 -- The number of calories in the new bacon milkshake from Jack in the Box, which is made with no actual bacon, just bacon-flavored syrup, vanilla ice cream, whipped topping, and a maraschino cherry. Source: "Are You Ready for the 1,081-Calorie Bacon Milkshake?" the Los Angeles Times. 15.52 -- The weight, in pounds, of a baby born this past week in central China. Chun Chun, born to a 29-year-old mother in Henan province, is possibly the largest newborn on record since the country was founded in 1949. The delivery took just 20 minutes. Source: "Chinese Mom Gives Birth to 15-Pound Baby," CBS. 23.7 -- The weight, in pounds, of the heaviest newborn ever recorded, according to Guinness World Records. The baby was born to an Ohio woman in 1879. Source: "Chinese Mom Gives Birth to 15-Pound Baby," CBS. 40,000,000 -- The amount, in dollars, that federal health officials have promised in grants to help reduce the rising number of preterm births and early elective deliveries. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 36 -- The percent that premature births have climbed over the last 20 years, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 20,000 -- The average amount spent, in dollars, on medical care during the first year of a premature baby's life. The average for a full-term baby is just $2,100. Source: "New Initiatives Targets Premium Births/Elective Deliveries," CNN. 409,500 -- The out-of-pocket cost for a year of Soliris, the world's most expensive drug, according to Forbes magazine. Soliris is used to treat a rare blood disease known as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Source: "The 11 Most Expensive Medications," Harvard Health Blog. 200,000 -- The estimated number of people who die around the world from measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "Measles Cases Found After Super Bowl Festivities," CNN. 7 -- The percentage of young women between the ages of 15 and 19 that became pregnant in the United States in 2008, according to researchers at the Guttmacher Institute. That works out to 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 women. Source: "Teen Pregnancy Rates Hit 40 Year Low," CNN. 47 -- The percentage of obese people who were told by their doctors to exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "About One-Third of Patients Told by Doctors to Exercise," the Los Angeles Times. 22.6 -- The percentage of healthy weight people who were told by their doctors to exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Source: "About One-Third of Patients Told by Doctors to Exercise," the Los Angeles Times. 4,500,000 -- The approximate number of people in the United States walking around with false knees, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Source: "4.5 Million People in the U.S. Have Knee Replacements," the Los Angeles Times. 1,700,000 -- The number of people who experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The condition ranges in severity from long-term damage resulting in coma to mild concussions. Source: "Doctor: 'The Vow' Shows Our Brains Are Stranger Than Fiction," CNN. 13,000,000 -- The approximate number of Americans who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Source: "New Fitness Class 'Sheds Light' on Combating Winter Blues," Fox News. 24,000 -- The minimum number of people in El Salvador and Nicaragua who have died from a mysterious epidemic since 2000. The disease stops the kidneys from functioning properly, filling the body with toxins that lead to cramps, headaches, and vomiting. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 1,047 -- The number of people in Nicaragua who died from chronic kidney disease in 2010, according to the Pan American Health Organization, a regional arm of the World Health Organization. That's more than double the 466 deaths in 2000. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 2,181 -- The number of people in El Salvador who died from chronic kidney disease in 2010, according to the Pan American Health Organization, a regional arm of the World Health Organization. That's more than double the 1,282 deaths in 2000. Source: "Mystery Epidemic Devastates Central American Region," the Associated Press. 40,000,000 -- The approximate number of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Source: "It's Not Just You -- Seasonal Allergies Hitting Early, Hard," MSNBC.
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Vital Signs: Alzheimer's Research; the World's Oldest Living Twins
4 things to ask before you join a gym
Posted: at 11:09 pm
One of the best things about living in a state obsessed with physical fitness is that health clubs are plentiful, and competition keeps the quality high.
The number of gyms keeps growing, and so does the variety. Joining the giant workout palaces that dominate the scene these days are an increasing number of small and midsized gyms, run by ambitious operators who keep the training personal — and personality-driven.
Add to that the surplus of pop-up boot camps that come and go, and the newest trend, self-serve gyms with 24-hour key- card access, and you've got a lot of choices.
With summer coming and that desperate (though bottom-line good for you) rush to get in bathing-suit shape right around the corner, we
Form Fitness owner Sean Gale at 1125 17th Street, Bldg. B, in downtown Denver on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
thought we'd survey the landscape and offer a little updated advice.
Here are four questions to ask yourself before you sign on with a gym.
1. Do you fly solo, or do you need a co-pilot?
Many people join health clubs for the equipment; they aren't interested in classes or personal training.
"A lot of gyms will sell you access and let you figure it out," said Sean Gale, who owns Form Fitness clubs in downtown Denver and Ken Caryl.
That's not a bad thing. If you are a self-motivator and do the work, in time you'll lose weight, muscle up, or just get healthy.
But most gym-goers do better with a regimen, and in today's club culture, that means joining classes where anywhere from three to 30 people work out together. It's worth sorting out who offers what.
"The real magic is that you are feeding off the energy of the group," said Gale, who cleared out some equipment to make room for communal workouts last fall. The gym offers regular group sessions and a popular drop-in boot camp on Wednesday evenings.
Classes can get very specific, and this is where clubs differ. Ask what they teach and who teaches it — and try them out. See what comes with your membership
Cole Fusion Fitness owner, Frankie Cole, moves 45lb machine weights at Wednesday afternoon. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
(usually aerobic and spinning) and what you'll pay extra for (yoga and Pilates most often, or limited programs that get you in shape for skiing or marathons).
The more classes, the better; you're a busy person. And check out the crowds. There's nothing worse than showing up for class and finding it full.
Insider: The trendiest classes these days combine calorie-burning and weight training in one economical hour, and they come with inspired names, like Forza Fitness' "Ripped& Shredded" or Colorado Athletic Club's "Cardio Chisel." Make sure your gym has something similar.
2. How much gym can you afford?
Some good advice: Set your budget first, then shop for a club. Expensive gyms are great — really great, sometimes — but they're a trap, and sales people know how to suck you in. It's not just the fancy machines or the stretch locker rooms, it's the pools, steam rooms and high-quality products in the shower that get you. Some people need those things — if you gym on your way to work, a clean, private shower is a key amenity. But if your needs and budget are modest, you can still do well in this town — even small places tend to have great equipment.
There are deals to be had, and often from major chains like Bally's or 24 Hour Fitness. At the other end are the community gyms and town rec centers; good ones can cost as little as $1 a day.
The key is to bargain. Gyms are like
Club member Roger Bradley using the Life Cycle inside the 8,000 square foot gym, Form Fitness at 1125 17th Street, Bldg. B, in downtown Denver on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post )
airplanes — everybody pays something different to board, and you don't want to pay more than the guy on the treadmill next to you. Everyone knows you can often save by committing for a year instead of paying month-to-month, but other discounts are out there, like limited-use memberships or family plans.
Ask for the best deal offered. Hold out. See if they'll skip the initiation fee. You never know.
Insider: Don't commit too fast. You can always start on a monthly plan and convert to an annual membership at any time. It'll cost you just a few bucks more to find out if a gym is right for you.
3. Who owns this gym?
Maybe you don't care, but you probably should. Gyms run by real people have personality, and going there can be like working out with a friend who wants you to succeed.
One good example: Cole Fusion Fitness in Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood, run by Frankie Cole. He's a buff guy with a big smile, a former competitive body-builder turned major motivator.
Cole built the business himself, machine by machine, client by client. He's popular enough that he just expanded to a new location at 1070 Bannock St. It's a modest place, not too big, shower in the basement, but it has all the right equipment — and it has Cole.
He teaches classes himself — he has a killer kickboxing class — and follows his members' transformations. People see him in the building, they check in.
"It's all about you" said Cole last week between classes. "But I'm not going to do the lifting for you. It all has to come from within."
Interacting with the owner at a small gym isn't like having a personal trainer, but it can be like having a workout partner, someone you don't want to disappoint.
And really, you wouldn't want to disappoint Frankie Cole.
"You can walk in and you can walk out, but the only thing that's going to make you stay is results," he said.
Insider: Cole is offering a special right now to celebrate his move: $150 for three months. That's a good deal.
4. When do you want to work out?
Health club hours matter, down to the minute.
Your gym ought to be there when you need it. Like on Thanksgiving morning, so you can pig out guilt-free that afternoon, or New Year's Day, so you can face up to that resolution on Day One. Some gyms close at 5 p.m. on Sundays, some at 7 p.m., and those last hours can be crowded.
To this end, more and more gyms are staying open 24 hours a day.
Form Fitness gives members an access card that lets them swipe in anytime. It might be lonely there at 3 a.m., but it's available.
Other clubs advertise similar deals, sometimes listing staffed and non-staffed hours. If round-the-clock gyming interests you, also check out Snap Fitness or Lifetime Fitness, both with several Colorado outposts.
Insider: Working out alone isn't for everybody, especially the injury prone.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540 or rrinaldi@denverpost.com
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4 things to ask before you join a gym
Health and Fitness: The Benefits of Exercising
Posted: at 11:09 pm
There wasn't a more contentious issue on the minds of Canadians last week as the issue of the aging population came to the forefront of new headlines everywhere. The prime minister of Canada confirmed that his government is debating increasing the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security pension. Media reports hypothesized that the increase would be two years, raising the age to 67. Those two extra years would probably mean keeping people in the workforce longer and would lighten the immediate load on the OAS system.
Prime Minister Harper repeated that while no decisions are definite, the fact that Canada will have a lower percentage of its population working will inevitably become a significant economic issue. The "aging of the population and the shrinking of the labour force is a serious economic challenge for Canada, as it is for other countries." Harper said.
And with this debate circulating by the political pundits, what better topic to devote this week's column to than why running, or exercise, can be beneficial to the said aging population of Canada.
I have read, watched, and heard so many tales of people running marathons when they are well into their 80s, and 90s. Although this is on the extreme side of the spectrum, I have also seen many elderly people taking part in yoga classes at the gym, mall walking, and other classes devoted to their demographic. And I (although it will be many years from now) intend to participate in those classes.
My roommates laughed at me last year when I took a complimentary water aerobics class. Yes, I did bring down the age average significantly as I bopped and splashed besides ladies with shower caps and frilly skirts on their bathing suit, but by the end of the class I was both sore, and quite invigorated!
Many people think they're too old to start an exercise program. They think it's unsafe because they have heart disease or diabetes or because they're too out of shape to start. But you're never too old to start says Tufts University's Miriam Nelson. “Many people think they're too old to start an exercise program," she says. “They think it's unsafe because they have heart disease or diabetes or because they're too out of shape to start." But, in one Tufts study, nursing-home residents, whose ages ranged from 72 to 98, were monitored for ten weeks. After just ten weeks, strength-training improved their muscle strength, ability to climb stairs, and walking speed.
There are many myths circulating about aging and exercise that have stopped the elderly from exercising. One of them being that exercise can be more of a risk rather than a benefit, for example it puts you at risk of falling down. But, regular exercise, builds strength and stamina, and prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, which would actually reduce your risk of falling. Another myth has to do with some of the population who are chair bound and think they can't exercise sitting down. However, because the aging population is such a prominent issue these days, there have been programs designed for anything. Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health. Exercise for seniors is amazing at improving immune function, heart health, blood pressure, bone density, and digestive functioning. Seniors who exercise also have a lowered risk of several chronic conditions including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and colon cancer.
Benefits aren't just physical. Because exercise keeps the brain active, it can prevent memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia. Exercise has a protective effect on the brain may even help prevent Alzheimer's disease. One study of nearly 5,000 men and women over 65 years of age, showed that those who exercised were less likely to lose their mental abilities or develop dementia, including Alzheimer's. The inactive individuals were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared to those who did activities at least three times a week. It has even been seen that even the light or moderate exercisers cut their risk significantly for Alzheimer's and mental decline.
Even beyond age 70, cardiovascular exercise can improve memory and reasoning skills. "People who have chosen a lifetime of relative inactivity can benefit mentally from improved aerobic fitness," said the study's lead author and cognitive neuroscientist Arthur Kramer. "We see selective cognitive benefits which accompany improvement in aerobic fitness."
For anyone, old or young, exercise improves strength, flexibility and posture, which helps with balance, coordination, and reducing the risk of falls. Strength training also alleviates the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis. But most of all, one of the greatest benefits is the feeling of empowerment that comes with the gains made through a feeling of accomplishments. It builds a network of community and friendships. Many seniors are isolated, but by being part of a group will boosts moods and self-confidence. Many seniors feel discouraged by barriers, such as their age, health conditions or concerns. But the endorphins will reduce feelings of sadness or depression and by being active and feeling stronger will make seniors feel more self-confident and sure of themselves.
So if Harper is right and we are seeing an increase in the aging population- maybe it's because they are all exercising now! When I drive to work, I see lots of older people out for a walk with their dogs or just by themselves. I think- good for them! I hope that when I am older I can be active. Whether it be yoga or water aerobics, sometimes I think you can't afford not to be active. Maybe I'll be one of those grandmothers that can beat their grandchildren in races and takes them on 10 kilometre runs and yoga retreats. Hmmmm…. Interesting idea. Although, I probably wouldn't be their favourite grandmother but I'll make sure to make it up to them on their birthdays. After all- what else are grandmothers for?
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Health and Fitness: The Benefits of Exercising
LPL Financial Retirement Partners Rolls Out New Retirement Plan Tools to Enhance Advisor Services
Posted: at 11:09 pm
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial Retirement Partners, the retirement plan- focused division of LPL Financial LLC, the nation's largest independent broker/dealer*, announces the additions of Plan Health Check and Fee Comparison & Analysis Evaluation tools to bolster the Retirement Partners tool suite for advisors. The LPL Financial Retirement Partners tool suite offers a comprehensive collection of retirement plan tools designed to help advisors grow and maintain their book of business in an automated and scalable fashion.
LPL Financial Retirement Partners has partnered with Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc. to provide peer level data for comparison purposes in both new offerings:
The Plan Health Check tool allows retirement plan advisors to track and report on a plan's value and success attributes such as plan participation, deferral rates and average account balance. The Fee Comparison & Analysis Evaluation tool quickly and legitimately compares plan fees and design against an appropriate peer group, producing an easy-to-read report for plan sponsors.
"This is the fourth addition to the already robust retirement tool suite since June," noted Bill Chetney, executive vice president of LPL Financial Retirement Partners. "We are thrilled that Retirement Partners continues to build out one of the strongest and most effective offerings of tools for advisors in the retirement plan arena."
About LPL Financial
LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Investment Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA - News), is the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2011), a top RIA custodian, and a leading independent consultant to retirement plans. LPL Financial offers proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to approximately 12,800 financial advisors and approximately 730 financial institutions nationwide. In addition, LPL Financial supports over 4,000 financial advisors licensed with insurance companies by providing customized clearing, advisory platforms and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have approximately 2,700 employees with headquarters in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.lpl.com.
Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC
* Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2011
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LPL Financial Retirement Partners Rolls Out New Retirement Plan Tools to Enhance Advisor Services
Avoid costly retirement mistakes
Posted: at 11:09 pm
The shaky economy has caused many Americans to rethink their retirement plans. Some say they’ll put off retiring and try to save more money. Others say they don’t expect to retire, either because they don’t want to or they can’t afford to.
While none of us can control the economy, you can take steps to increase the odds of a successful retirement on whatever timetable you choose. That’s one key takeaway from the Consumer Reports National Research Center’s survey of retired and soon-to-be retired online subscribers conducted last fall.
Our fifth such survey since 2007, it asked 21,714 people from 55 to 75 what they did right or wrong in preparing for retirement.
Starting too late and saving too little topped the retirees’ list of regrets. But several less obvious mistakes also emerged from our survey data:
Underestimating expenses Nearly a third of the retirees we surveyed said their expenses were greater than they had anticipated before retiring, while only 11 percent said their expenses were lower. That turned out to have a significant bearing on how satisfied the retirees were overall. Adjusting for the effects of other significant variables, our survey analysts estimated that 76 percent of retirees whose expenses didn’t exceed their expectations were highly satisfied with retirement. For those whose expenses proved to be higher, the number dropped to 56 percent.
What to do: Make a comprehensive list of all your current expenses, cross out those that will end when you retire, and add any new ones, including fun stuff such as travel. Before you retire, consider living on that budget for six months to a year just to see if it’s a comfortable fit. And don’t be surprised if your retirement expenses actually exceed your preretirement ones, at least for the first few years.
Investing too conservatively Retirees who characterized their overall investment style as conservative reported median savings of $478,000, compared with $617,000 for their aggressive counterparts. Readers who considered themselves moderate risk takers fell between those two groups, with $563,000.
What to do: If you’re saving for retirement and all your money is in conservative investments like CDs, money-market funds, and bonds, you might want to add stocks or stock funds to the mix. Financial planners generally suggest retirees also maintain a reasonable exposure to stocks, in part as an inflation hedge. For example, if you were to put $100,000 in a five-year jumbo CD paying a recent interest rate of 2.65 percent, and inflation continued at its recent pace of around 3.5 percent, your investment would lose about $4,800 in value by the end of five years, according to the Consumer Reports Money Lab.
Not diversifying enough We asked readers who said they planned to retire by 2015 what investment vehicles and asset classes they had used to save. Their choices included 401(k) and 403(b) plans; their homes; IRAs; saving accounts and CDs; stocks, bonds, and mutual funds held outside a retirement plan; and half a dozen other options. Adjusting for the effects of other variables, readers with three or fewer types of investments reported median retirement savings of $246,000, compared with $539,000 for those with seven or more types.
Of course, people who have more money might be expected to have it in more places. But the finding held true across income levels, and people with lower incomes who diversified widely often accum-ulated more than those with higher incomes who didn’t. For example, people with incomes under $85,000 who used seven or more investment types reported median savings of $368,000; those with incomes of $125,000 to $199,999 and money in three or fewer places had $315,000.
What to do: If your money is in just a few investments, now might be the time to broaden your horizons. If you need help, consider consulting a fee-only financial planner, who can model different allocations based on your risk tolerance and likely retirement date. You can get names from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (www.napfa.org).
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on Yahoo! Copyright © 2008-2012 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction in whole or in part without written permission.
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Avoid costly retirement mistakes
Retirement Contributions: Roth Versus Traditional
Posted: at 11:09 pm
If you're caught in a no-man's land somewhere between Roth and traditional contributions trying to figure out whether to pay taxes now or later, you're not alone.
[See top-ranked ETFs by category ranked by U.S. News Best ETFs.]
The Roth versus traditional discussion is happening on talk shows and in news columns, magazine articles, blogs, and message boards.
Gathering information and engaging in your retirement planning is a healthy and helpful exercise, but don't listen to the one-size-fits-all pundits. Roth isn't categorically better, and neither is the traditional option. Everything depends on your personal situation. And sometimes a combined approach may work out best.
The ups and downs of a traditional contribution
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out of your paycheck before you pay taxes. As a result, traditional contributions lower your taxable income. The immediate, concrete benefit is that you'll cut Uncle Sam a smaller check in April.
On the flip side, you'll have to pay ordinary income taxes on traditional 401(k) distributions during retirement. The $50,000 per year you thought you'd have during retirement could be much lower depending on your tax bracket.
The ups and downs of a Roth contribution
Roth contributions come out of your paycheck after you pay taxes. You'll see the major benefit during retirement: no ordinary income taxes on Roth contributions or any resulting capital gains.
[See How to Prioritize Saving in a 401(k) and Roth IRA]
You don't get to reduce your current taxable income, but you get to keep 100 percent of each Roth distribution during retirement. Roth contributions are simpler and leave fewer future unknowns.
Who benefits from what?
For a few people, the benefits of one contribution method seem obvious.
For example, a recent college graduate making relatively little money is currently in a low tax bracket. She doesn't stand to benefit significantly from lowering her taxable income because she's already in a low tax bracket. Though the future isn't certain, we can make an educated guess that she'll be in a higher tax bracket during retirement than she is now. Paying income taxes now seems to be a better idea than paying later when she'll pay at a higher rate.
Conversely, a 65-year-old executive who's at the peak of her earning years is currently in a high tax bracket. Reducing her taxable income could be very beneficial, and it doesn't seem that her tax rate will be higher during retirement than it is now. Making pre-tax traditional contributions now seems to be a better idea.
The big question: What does the future hold? Without a crystal ball, it's impossible to know what your tax rate will be during retirement, even if you know what your income will be. When the tax code changes, each set of Roth and traditional advantages could also change.
Tax diversification
To mitigate the risks associated with an ever-changing tax code, you can engage in tax diversification. In the larger investing world, there are many ways to implement tax diversification. Talk to your tax professional about your options. In the 401(k) realm, your major option is to divide your contributions between Roth and traditional, taking into consideration any contributions your employer is making on your behalf.
[See Using Brokerage Windows to Expand Your 401(k) diversification]
As with asset class diversification, there are details of your personal situation that can assist you in determining your Roth/traditional split. The aforementioned "Who benefits from what?" examples are still applicable, but each investor could diversify with smaller contributions in the seemingly less-advantageous form.
It's also noteworthy that individuals who are closer to retirement have more tax certainty than people with a longer retirement timeline. These near-retirees can make more contributions with planning based on the current tax code.
Since most earners are neither 22 nor 65, most of us face a significant gray area in deciding what our Roth/traditional split should be. As you decide, talk to your retirement adviser and tax professional about the particulars of your situation. And, as with your asset class allocation, make decisions that allow you to rest comfortably at night.
Scott Holsopple is the president and CEO of Smart401k, offering easy-to-use, cost-effective 401(k) advice and solutions for the everyday investor. His advice has been featured on various news outlets, including FOX Business, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. Keep tabs on Scott on Twitter and Facebook.
Nothing in this article should be construed as tax advice. Contact a qualified tax professional to discuss the tax implications involved in the decision to make Roth or traditional contributions to your retirement plan as well as any other tax matters relating to your retirement plan options.
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Dallas Retirement Planning Specialist Derrick Kinney Provides Tips on How to Create a Realistic Retirement Savings Goal
Posted: at 11:09 pm
ARLINGTON, Texas, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- How much money do you need to retire? Ten times your income? A million dollars?
The answer depends on who you ask.
A general guideline among financial advisers is to plan on withdrawing four percent of your portfolio each year in retirement. Using this guideline if you want to have an annual income of $40,000 in retirement and plan on living until age 90, you must save $1 million.
Consumers, however, don't agree. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's 2011 Retirement Confidence Survey, 31 percent say they can retire comfortably on less than $250,000. Where did $250,000 come from? Forty-two percent of consumers admitted they determined their retirement savings need by guessing.
"Determining the amount of money you need to retire is complex," said Derrick Kinney, a nationally recognized retirement planning specialist and principal of Derrick Kinney & Associates (http://www.derrickkinney.com). "People want the security of a defined number. They want to hear that if they save X amount of dollars, they will have a secure retirement, but there simply isn't a one-size-fits-all answer."
To determine the amount of money you will need in retirement, Kinney recommends starting by defining your idea of a dream retirement early.
"The amount you need to save will vary drastically based on how you envision your ideal retirement," Kinney says. "If your home will be completely paid off or you plan on working part-time, you can probably live on roughly 80 percent of your pre-retirement income. However, if your goal is to live luxuriously in retirement or travel the world without worrying about financial restraints, you may need an annual income greater than your pre-retirement income."
After you figure out what you want to do, estimate how much it will cost. There are numerous online calculators that can provide an estimate of how much you need to save, how much SSI you can expect, etc. Remember to factor in any major goals you want to achieve during retirement. For example, if you want to spend your retirement traveling, you could allocate $15,000 per year to travel.
Next, use these calculators and estimates to make a plan.
"The most common concern I hear as a financial adviser is running out of money during retirement," Kinney says. "To overcome this, I recommend creating a plan and having a back-up plan. I've never heard anyone say they regretted planning too well for retirement."
For example, in your original retirement plan, you could plan on working until age 65, but your back-up plan could include a way to keep your savings on track if you were forced into an early retirement at age 60.
When creating a plan, you must factor in the inflation rate, your expected retirement age, the planned longevity of your retirement and your expected return on investment. Generally, financial advisers use an estimated rate of three to four percent for inflation and four to six percent for return on investments. When in doubt, use conservative estimates.
After following these steps, you should have an estimated, defined and realistic retirement goal. If the number looks astonishingly large and you don't think you could ever save that much, don't panic. Compound interest can make a big impact.
To fully utilize the power of compound interest, Kinney recommends you start saving as soon as possible and make sure to contribute enough to your 401(k) to take advantage of any employer matching benefits.
"What's important is beginning to save early and continuing to save consistently," Kinney says. "You should aim to max out contributions to your 401(k), IRA or both. I usually recommend people who are living comfortably on their current income direct any raises they may receive to their retirement savings."
By determining a retirement savings goal and creating a plan to reach it, you are putting yourself on the path to a more secure and comfortable retirement.
About Derrick Kinney and Derrick Kinney & Associates
Derrick Kinney is a nationally recognized retirement planning specialist that has been interviewed by Bloomberg TV, CNBC, CNN Radio, CBS Marketwatch, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and many more. He is the principal of Derrick Kinney & Associates, a financial planning practice located in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and holds ChFC, CASL, and CLTC designations. For more information on Kinney, visit http://www.derrickkinney.com.
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Prudential Retirement reinsures retirement benefits through transaction with Rothesay Life
Posted: at 11:09 pm
NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Prudential Retirement, a business unit of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU - News), today announced its first longevity reinsurance transaction of 2012.
Under the terms of the transaction, Prudential Retirement will provide reinsurance of longevity risk to Rothesay Life, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. The transaction initially covers pension liability values of GBP 423 million, approximately equal to $665 million U.S. dollars.
The reinsurance secures the retirement benefits of almost 20,000 members of the Uniq Plc Pension Scheme, who are insured by Rothesay Life. The reinsurance transaction is particularly significant as it covers the risks of all life annuities held by plan participants, regardless of age or retirement status, and over half the plan participants reinsured have yet to reach retirement.
“We are happy to partner with Rothesay on another innovative Pension Risk Transfer transaction that helps to secure the retirement benefits of Uniq’s members,” said Amy Kessler, senior vice president and head of Prudential’s Longevity Reinsurance business.
“Rothesay Life is pleased to continue its partnership with Prudential,” said Addy Loudiadis, chief executive officer, Rothesay Life. “This latest transaction demonstrates how we can work together to complete an important transaction.”
Reinsurance contracts are issued by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company (PRIAC), Hartford, CT 06103. PRIAC is not a U.K. Financial Services Authority (FSA) authorized insurer and does not conduct business in the United Kingdom or provide direct insurance to any individual or entity therein. Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
Rothesay Life is an insurance company established in the U.K. as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a bank holding company and leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Rothesay Life provides annuity and other longevity products to corporate defined benefit pension plans, tailored to meet the specific needs of corporate sponsors, trustees and pension plan members. Rothesay Life is authorized and regulated by the U.K.’s Financial Services Authority.
Prudential Retirement delivers retirement plan solutions for public, private, and non-profit organizations. Services include state-of-the-art record keeping, administrative services, investment management, comprehensive employee investment education and communications, and trustee services. With over 85 years of retirement experience, Prudential Retirement helps meet the needs of nearly 3.6 million participants and annuitants. Prudential Retirement has $229.5 billion in retirement account values as of December 31, 2011.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU - News), a financial services leader with approximately $901 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2011, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.
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Prudential Retirement reinsures retirement benefits through transaction with Rothesay Life