Why We Grow Happier With Age

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

Having had a “milestone” birthday at the end of last year, I came across a book recently that caught my attention. The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50 by Jonathan Rauch seemed like a book that I had to read – who wouldn’t want to know how and why life was going to start getting better!?!  I was completely intrigued by this book. It is backed by the personal experience of the author, actual case studies, and long-term social research.  So, what did I learn?

Research indicates that life satisfaction declines in your forties. Despite being dubbed as having a “midlife crisis”, your forties are less of a crisis and more of a sense of despair. Why could this happen?

• We realize that we’re not going to achieve everything we once imagined

• We compare ourselves to others who’ve achieved more and question our self-worth

• We lack gratitude and feel shame or embarrassment

However, by age 50 (or shortly thereafter) our “sour” mood changes and we begin to feel more life satisfaction. As each decade passes, our happiness “ranking” gets even higher.

• We become less focused on our own goals and become more focused on serving others

• We accept our life and focus on personal relationships instead of external achievements

• We stop comparing ourselves to others and focus more on our own internal satisfaction

Key takeaways:

• Be self-aware of the psychology behind your feelings

• Know that the “midlife crisis” isn’t forever and better times are ahead

• The future is an opportunity to live our happiest and most socially satisfying years

For those who are focused on the negatives of aging such as an ailing body or a failing mind, I challenge you to pick up The Happiness Curve to get a different perspective on your future retirement years. What you learn just might surprise you! If you’d like to have a conversation about this topic or additional topics around retirement or longevity planning, feel free to contact me at sandy.adams@centerfinplan.com.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

Retirement Planning Challenges for Women: How to Face Them and Take Action

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

If we are being completely honest, planning and saving for retirement seems to be more and more challenging these days – for everyone.  No longer are the days of guaranteed pensions, so it’s on us to save for our own retirement.  Even though we try our best to save…life happens and we accumulate more expenses along the way.  Our kids grow up (and maybe not out!).  Our older adult parents may need our help (both time and money).  Depending on our age, grandchildren might creep into the picture.  Add it all up and the question is: how are we are supposed to retire?  We need enough to potentially last 25 to 30 years (depending on our life expectancy). Ughhh!

While these issues certainly impact both men and women, the impact on women can be tenfold.  Let’s take a look at some of the major issues women face when it comes to retirement planning.

1. Women have fewer years of earned income than men

Women tend to be the caregivers for children and other family members.  This ultimately means that women have longer employment gaps as they take time off work to care for their family.  The result: less earned income, retirement savings, and Social Security earnings. It can also halt career trajectory. 

Action Steps

• Attempt to save at a higher rate during the years you ARE working. It allows you to keep pace with your male counterparts. Take a look at the chart below for an estimated percentage of what working women should save during each period of their life.

• If you are married you may want to save in a ROTH IRA or IRA (with spousal contributions) each year, even if you are not in the workforce.

• If you are serving as the caregiver for a family member, consider having a Paid Caregiver Contract drawn up to receive legitimate and reportable payment for your services. This could potentially help you and help your family member work towards receiving government benefits in the future, if and when needed.

2. Women earn less than men

For every $1 a man makes, a woman in a similar position earns 82¢ according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  As a result, women see less in retirement savings and Social Security benefits based on earning less.

Action Steps

• Again, save more during the years you are working.  Attempt to maximize contributions to employer plans. Also, make annual contributions to ROTH IRA/IRAs and after-tax investment accounts.

• Invest in an appropriate allocation for your long term investment portfolio, keeping in mind your potential life expectancy.

• Be an advocate for yourself and your women cohorts when it comes to requesting equal pay for equal work.

3. Women are less aggressive investors than men

In general, women tend to be more conservative investors than men.  Analyses of 401(k) and IRA accounts of men and women of every age range show distinctly more conservative allocations for women.  Especially for women, who may have longer life expectancies, it’s imperative to incorporate appropriate asset allocations with the ability for assets to outpace inflation and grow over the long term.

Action Steps

• Work with an advisor to determine the most appropriate long term asset allocation for your overall portfolio, keeping in mind your potential longevity, potential retirement income needs, and risk tolerance.

• Become knowledgeable and educated on investment and financial planning topics so that you can be in control of your future financial decisions, with the help of a good financial advisor.

4. Women tend to live longer than men

Women have fewer years to save and more years to save for.  The average life expectancy is 81 for women and 76 for men according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Since women live longer, they must factor in the health care costs that come along with those years. 

Action Steps

• Plan to save as much as possible.

• Invest appropriately for a long life expectancy.

• Work with an advisor to make smart financial decisions related to potential income sources (coordinate spousal benefits, Social Security, pensions, etc.)

• Make sure you have a strong and updated estate plan.

• Take care of your health to lessen the cost of future healthcare.

• Plan early for Long Term Care (look into Long Term Care insurance, if it makes sense for you and if health allows).

5. Women who are divorced often face specific challenges and are less likely to marry after “gray divorce” (divorce after 50)

From a financial perspective, divorce tends to negatively impact women far more than it does men.  The average woman’s standard of living drops 27% after divorce while the man’s increases 10% according to the American Sociological Review. That’s due to various reasons such as earnings inequalities, care of children, uneven division of assets, etc.

The rate of divorce for the 50+ population has nearly doubled since the 1990s according to the Pew Research Center. The study also indicates that a large percentage of women who experienced a gray divorce do not remarry; these women remain in a lower income lifestyle and less likely to have support from a partner as they age.

Action Steps

• Work with a sound advisor during the divorce process, one who specializes in the financial side of divorce such as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) (Note:  attorneys often do not understand the financial implications of the divorce settlement).

6. Women are more likely to be subject to elder abuse

Women live longer and are often unmarried or alone.  They may not be as sophisticated with financial issues.  They may be lonely and vulnerable. 

Action Items

• If you are an older adult, put safeguards in place to protect yourself from Financial Fraud and abuse. For example: check your credit report annually and utilize credit monitoring services like EverSafe.

• Have your estate planning documents updated, particularly your Durable Powers of Attorney documents, so that those that you trust are in charge of your affairs if you become unable to handle them yourself.

• If you are in a position of assisting an older adult friend or relative, check in on them often. Watch for changes in their situations or behavior and do background checks on anyone providing services.

While it is unlikely that the retirement challenges facing women will disappear anytime soon, taking action can certainly help to minimize the impact they can have on women’s overall retirement planning goals. I have no doubt that with a little extra planning, and a little help from a quality financial advisor/professional partner, women will be able to successfully meet their retirement goals. 

If you or someone you know are in need of professional guidance, please give us a call.  We are always happy to help.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Raymond James is not affiliated with EverSafe.

The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of Long Term Care insurance. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

Things to Consider if You are Anticipating an Inheritance

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

If you are like most clients, anticipating an inheritance likely means that something is happening, or has happened, to someone you love. Often this means dealing with the complexities of grief and loss, in addition to the potential stress of additional financial opportunities and responsibilities. Combining your past money experience and your relationship with the person you are losing or have lost can cause varying degrees of stress.

Based on our experience with clients who expect to receive an inheritance, we offer a few suggestions that will serve you well and help you avoid some of the common pitfalls:

• Avoid making big plans to upgrade your home, buy the fancy car, or take the exotic trips. In other words, don’t spend the money before you have it.

• Don’t let others pressure you into quick decisions or coax you into making purchases or gifts that you wouldn’t normally make.

• Don’t make any big purchases until you have taken the time to do more purposeful planning.

• Take an intentional time-out from decision-making. Give yourself the ability to grieve, and to make sure your head is clear and ready to make smart financial decisions.

• In the planning process, determine what will change, or has changed, for you since receiving the inheritance (income, savings, investments, expenses, home, etc.); this information will help guide your financial planning decisions with the inherited funds.

• Identify your current and future financial goals, then plan so that inherited funds help you meet those goals.

Even if you have a financial plan and are an experienced investor, receiving an inheritance can throw you for a loop from an emotional standpoint – and from a planning standpoint – when you rush to make decisions. If you have no experience with money, receiving an inheritance can seem completely overwhelming and stressful. In either case, having a financial planner – a decision partner to provide assistance, guidance, and a sounding board – can be invaluable. If you expect, or know someone who expects, an inheritance and could use some guidance, please contact us for assistance (Sandy.Adams@CenterFinPlan.com). We are always happy to help!

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams, CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® in the U.S.

Planning for Retirement when Unexpected Events Occur

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

This year, more than ever, I have found myself meeting with clients in the prime of their retirement planning years who have experienced some unexpected life events – events that might not normally be part of the retirement planning process.

What am I speaking of? I have had young pre-retirees experience terminal illnesses or become caregivers for spouses or family members, experience the loss of a spouse, experience divorce after a very long marriage but before retirement, and most recently, I have had some lose their long-time jobs with recent layoffs at companies like General Motors.

Losing a job is just one of many unexpected, pre-retirement events that can potentially throw savings goals and plans off course. Some may add that a very negative or extended stock market decline can also hinder retirement and, in most cases, is unexpected. As the old saying goes, you should always “expect the unexpected”.

What can you or should you do now to make sure that you can keep your retirement strategy on track, even if one of these unexpected events comes creeping into your life?

1. Plan Early and Update Often. Although many folks don’t like to think about it, start digging into how much you much income you will need in retirement. If your income projection is significantly less than you are bringing home now, what will change in retirement to make you need less income? Will you have significantly less debt? Will the activities you plan to do in retirement cost significantly less? Be realistic. Take stock on a regular basis of where you are towards your savings goals versus your needs, so that you stay on track and are able to update your strategy if you are not moving toward those goals.

2. Save, Save, and Then Save a Little More. When times are good, and while you can, stretch yourself to meet your savings goals. There is a delicate balance between spending to enjoy your life now and setting aside funds for your retirement. It makes sense to set significant retirement savings goals (especially if you didn’t start as early as you wanted to). And making it a habit to save more – even one percent each year – will help you reach or exceed your retirement savings goals. Other ways to get ahead can include allocating a portion of your annual raise or any bonus you might receive to retirement savings. Aim to save, save, and save a little more to put yourself in a position to absorb the unexpected.

3. Take Control of What You Can Control. While you cannot control what happens to the markets, your job (for the most part), or your health (other than eating right and exercising), there are things you can control. You can control your savings rate: You can be disciplined about saving, save regularly and continue to save more over time. You can save in the right places: You can attempt to max out your savings within your employer retirement savings plans on a tax-deferred basis, you can have a liquid cash emergency reserve fund of at least 3-6 months of expenses “in case” something unexpected comes up, and you can have an after-tax investment account and/or ROTH IRA (if your income tax bracket allows) in case a life event causes an earlier-than-expected retirement or a temporary unemployment situation. You can keep debt under control and plan to have as much debt paid off as possible going into retirement. Reducing fixed costs during retirement allows you to use your cash flow for wants versus needs, and provides you with greater flexibility if an unexpected event occurs.

4. Put Protections and Guardrails in Place. Planners like to call this “risk management”. We are talking about protection for contingencies, so they don’t sink your retirement ship. Having a reserve or emergency savings account is a good first step. But what else might you put in place? It’s important to have the right insurances – disability insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. Continuing education and networking are also important protections – WHAT? Keep up your credentials and training, so that if your current job is phased out, you are prepared to quickly jump back on the horse and become re-employed. Many folks become complacent, and if something unexpected happens with their company or their role, are completely unprepared to seek new employment. Unfortunately, the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that older workers wait more than 40 weeks to become re-employed, so being prepared can make all of the difference.

5. Seek Good Advice. This is not a time to DIY. Way too many things can go wrong when it comes to a potential early retirement transition. Seeking the advice of a trained professional can help you find the best course of action. In most cases, assessing your specific situation and making the best possible decisions, especially when it comes to things like pensions, Social Security, and which accounts to tap for retirement income, can make a huge difference.

“The more things change, the more things stay the same” – Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

When we do an initial financial plan for a client, we like to say that something will very likely change when the client walks out the door, and we will need to adjust the plan. Life happens. A financial plan must be fluid and flexible. And so must you, as someone who is planning for retirement. Unexpected events that happen just as you are reaching for the golden doorknob to retirement can be frustrating. But if you have expected the unexpected, planned for the contingencies, and have some spending flexibility built into your plan, you will be on your way to a long and successful retirement.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Opinions expressed in the attached article are those of Sandra D. Adams and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. 401(k) plans are long-term retirement savings vehicles. Withdrawal of pre-tax contributions and/or earnings will be subject to ordinary income tax, and if taken prior to age 59 ½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Roth 401(k) plans are long-term retirement savings vehicles. Like Traditional IRAs, contributions limits apply to Roth IRAs. In addition, with a Roth IRA, your allowable contribution may be reduced or eliminated if your annual income exceeds certain limits. Contributions to a Roth IRA are never tax deductible, but if certain conditions are met, distributions will be completely income tax free. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Can You Change Your Spending Habits in Retirement?

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

I recently had some interesting conversations with clients, many of whom have been exceedingly good savers during their entire adult lives. These clients most often grew up in households that modeled frugality and modesty in spending, and they have followed suit. As they plan to enter the ranks of the retired, they find themselves with more saved than they are likely to spend, based on the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. So now what?

In our conversations about “what could you spend” and “spending on things that would bring value and meaning to their lives,” these clients still struggle in many cases to imagine needing or wanting to spend even a fraction of the excess that they have accumulated. Why? I like to say it is because changing your spending “stripes” later in life is just hard to do.

When clients have learned to live a certain way with money, making significant changes may simply not be comfortable. Clients have shared stories about the challenge of hunting down the best clearance deals, something they do to compete with friends, or the fun in finding the best travel deals, even though they can afford to pay top dollar. And while circumstances may dictate how they spend their wealth in the future, these clients wouldn’t spend it now any other way. They have built the lives they want and enjoy. 

On the flip side, we work with clients who have developed lifestyles that are extremely “high-end” and keeping up with that lifestyle in retirement can take an extreme amount of saving and planning, particularly with longevity in the mix. Conversations with these clients about what expenses can be cut in retirement can be difficult. Even though some expenses go away (mortgages get paid, etc.), added expenses like travel, hobbies, etc., might come into play, especially in early retirement. Once you have become accustomed to a lifestyle, it is hard to cut back. I have found that many clients, given the choice, will work longer or save more prior to retirement rather than take less retirement income (i.e. cut back on their retirement lifestyle).  

So the answer to the question: Can you change your spending habits in retirement?

Probably not. Habits developed over a lifetime are very difficult to break.

My best suggestion:

Work with a financial advisor earlier rather than later to develop a retirement savings plan that allows you to spend whatever you want for your retirement lifestyle. The earlier you start your plan, the better your chance for success. If you or anyone you know needs assistance with developing a retirement savings plan, contact our Center Planning Team. We are always happy to help.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

3 Things a Widow Can Do to Gain Financial Control

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

REPOST

Typical of most couples, my clients Mike and Sue evenly split the household chores. She handled the house – decorating, cleaning, meals, etc. He handled the cars and the finances, including paying the bills.

A retired engineer, Mike loved cars, and he loved numbers and details. Sue hated all of that numbers stuff – so much so that, for the most part, she didn’t even attend annual meetings with their financial advisor. Over the last few years, I offered to meet at their home so she would be involved in the financial review. I felt it was important that Sue have at least a basic understanding of what was going on.

When Mike unexpectedly died in a car accident, a man taken way too young in his mid-70’s, Sue felt completely unprepared, as most of us would, for a life alone. Her children lived nearby, so that was comforting. From a financial perspective, she at least knew what she had to work with and knew who to call. We were able to speak shortly after Mike’s death.

In the months that followed, Sue gave herself time, as we recommended, to not make any big decisions and to find her new normal without Mike. This involved figuring out what her new cash flow looked like; she eliminated some services and added others, etc. Sue also worked her way through Mike’s bill paying system. Very detail oriented and complicated, it was way too rigorous for her tastes. But she felt, somehow, that she needed to stick to his system, because it had always worked for them.

My suggestion to Sue (and to any widow) as she takes control of her own financial affairs after the death of a loved one is this:

1. Take the time to figure out what your new normal is and what changes can be made to fit your new lifestyle.

2. Use a system that makes things easy for you. Don’t stick to a system that makes you crazy just because it’s the one that your deceased spouse used for years.

3. Use your financial advisor as a partner/coach to help guide you through the process as you take control of your financial life. If this is new, it could take a year or two for you to feel comfortable with the process. And that’s okay.

Becoming a widow at any age is challenging enough, without facing the additional hurdles of handling things for which you weren’t responsible in the past. Use your resources and give yourself permission to design your financial life to fit your new normal.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams, CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. The case study is a hypothetical example provided for illustrative purposes only. Individual cases will vary. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. Prior to making any investment decision, you should consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Long Term Care Premium Increases — Things to Consider if You Receive a Notice

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

No one likes to receive a letter stating that their premiums are going up — especially with a Long Term Care insurance policy that already seems relatively expensive. Unfortunately, when you own something other than a “paid up” Long Term Care Insurance Policy, the question is not if but when you might receive such a notice. To review, remember that the law allows insurers to apply to regulators for an increase in premiums.

Increases are allowed only if they apply to all policyholders and the company’s data shows current premiums will not cover current and future claims based on costs, projected interest rates, projected increases in claims or length of claims. (Companies cannot increase premiums for specific individuals based on increases in age, gender, health conditions, or filing of a claim.)

Taking the time to make an educated decision about your options when a premium increase occurs is crucial when it comes to Long Term Care insurance, especially as you get older. The more time passes, the greater the likelihood that you might need this type of insurance.

If you are faced with a premium increase, you typically have a limited number of options: 

1. Pay the increased premium and keep your current coverage.

2. Continue to pay your current premium or a reduced premium and accept some combination of reduced benefits (likely in this category, your Long Term Care insurance company will offer you a short list of options from which to choose). *NOTE: We have recently discovered that the list of options provided WITH the premium increase are not the only options. If you wish to consider additional options, you (and/or you advisor) can contact the Long Term Care company to request additional options. For example, a client in their mid-80s may consider an option to discontinue the compound inflation rider going forward and considerably decrease the premium. The added benefit for someone in their mid-80s is negligible at that point.

3. Take the Contingent Non-Forfeiture Option. If the percentage of premium increase is at a certain level, you may be able to stop paying premiums, and you would be entitled to a long-term care benefit based on the amount of premium dollars you have already paid.

It makes sense to carefully weigh your options when it comes to the Long Term Care insurance decision. Understand that you have full control. The Long Term Care insurance company will provide additional options if you request them — but you have to ask. And work with your financial advisor to review your options and see what makes sense. The only option that likely DOES NOT make sense is NOT writing the check to the Long Term Care insurance company at all!

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

How to Deal with Financial Decisions When a Major Life Event Has You Feeling Stuck

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

We’ve all had at least one. A major life event — some might even describe it as a trauma — that leaves us feeling like we’ve been run over by a freight train. For some of us, it may have been a divorce; for others, the loss of a spouse or other close loved one. It could be the sudden loss of a job, a terminal illness diagnosis or accident. Even unexpected “good news” events, like an inheritance or job promotion that comes with a move, can feel stressful when other aspects of your life are unsettled.

Times like these might leave a person unable to envision future goals or make ANY short or long term decisions. It’s common to feel stressed, numb, uncomfortable, anxious, confused — any of these, all of these — or just plain STUCK!

If “stuck” sounds like a place where you (or someone you know) might be, what can you do?

• First, work with your financial decision partner (your financial advisor) to make sure that you are immediately okay and that any immediate cash flow needs are being met. Those are the only decisions that REALLY need to be made now.

• Next, take an intentional “time out” (we call this the “DECISION FREE ZONE”) from making any major financial decisions or plans. This gives you time to deal with the life event that has happened or is happening to you.  Take time to take care of you — physically, psychologically, and emotionally — and get back to the business of future planning and decision making when your head is in a more clear place.

• When you are ready to start thinking about planning again, take a step away from your current situation. “Getting on the balcony” can give you a more clear perspective. With the help of your financial decision partner, you can see your situation from a new point of view and begin the process of setting new goals for your new normal.

Getting “un-stuck” is not easy. And it cannot be done without patience, time, and the help of a good decision partner. 

What has you stuck?  What life event or life events have you feeling numb, stressed, and unable to make decisions?  Understand that this is likely to happen to all of us at some point in our lives, so do not feel alone.  And do not feel pressured to make decisions and or to move forward until you have taken care of yourself and feel comfortable moving ahead. 

We at The Center are trained to help clients with these types of difficult transitions. Please reach out if we can assist you or anyone you know and love.  Sandy.Adams@CenterFinPlan.com.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams, CFP® and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.

A Dementia Diagnosis and Your Financial Plan

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™

The inevitable has happened. You or someone you love has received the dreaded diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or one of many related dementias. You feel like your world is in a tail spin; you don’t know which end is up, and you certainly don’t know where to start planning…especially from a financial perspective. What should you do?

First, discuss the diagnosis with your financial advisor. Communicate your fears and concerns, and ask for help to make sure that all of your financial “ducks” are in row.

You can check these things off the list now:

• Make sure that important documents are in place assigning advocates who will handle health care and financial affairs when you (or your loved one) are unable to handle them. **Coordinate this with your estate planning attorney.

• Also, make sure that beneficiaries and estate planning documents are updated to reflect current wishes.

• From an organizational standpoint, this is a perfect time to make sure everything is organized, documented (see our Personal Financial Record Keeping Document for help), simplified as much as possible (think consolidating accounts held by multiple firms), and titled properly.

At some point, your financial advisor may want to help you look at additional retirement/financial independence scenarios that include long-term care expenses faced by those who have dementia/Alzheimer’s. This will give you the opportunity to look at the adjustments you may need to make immediately or in the near term.

As time goes on and costs increase, which may be a few months or years depending on disease progression, additional retirement distribution planning may both stretch available dollars and strategize tax efficiencies based on tax law at the time. For instance, in years with very high medical costs/deductions, it may make sense to take distributions from IRAs, so the medical deductions offset the taxable income from the distributions.

It is also extremely important to review all insurances (Long Term Care, life insurances with terminal illness or LTC riders, annuities with such riders, etc.) to understand how they work and how they may benefit you in the future.

Planning with your family

Aside from the purely financial considerations, it is critical to have a conversation with your family about your care (who, where, etc.), your money, your quality of life, and the overall plan for your last phase of life with your new diagnosis, so that everyone is on the same page, with a coordinated plan.

Everyone should know the available resources, the players, and your desires. Having helped families in these situations, I know those who work together and understand the desires of their loved one, no matter what the financial situation, are able to get through tough times and support their loved one much more successfully than those who don’t.

Above all, ask for help, from your advisors, from your family, from your friends and community supports (church, community groups, etc.). You can’t, and shouldn’t, go it alone. If you or someone you know is facing a dementia challenge and needs to plan, please let us know. We are here to help.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™ is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

The One Mistake You DON’T Want to Make with Your Long Term Care Insurance

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

If you’re reading this, you are likely among the few people who have planned ahead and purchased Long Term Care insurance. By doing this, you intend to protect yourself and your family, and hedge your assets against the possible threat of a long-term care event (need for care in your home, assisted living or nursing home).

Given that only about 15% of Americans own Long Term Care insurance (Fidelity 2016) and 70% of Americans over the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care services for cognitive or physical impairment (HealthView Insights 2014), you will likely need the insurance you’ve purchased. The question is, will you use your Long Term Care insurance when the time comes?

I have had several client experiences that looked like this:

• The client was at or near a point of qualifying for benefits under their Long Term Care insurance for either physical or cognitive reasons;

• The client and/or the family made the decision to not begin the claim process. Why? They wanted to wait a while longer, continue to try to care for the client on their own, save the Long Term Care insurance benefits for later, when they really needed them.

• The results in nearly all of these cases? The clients either never filed a claim or filed far too late, ended up in a long-term care facility, and ultimately passed away without ever receiving the policy benefits for which they had made years – even decades – of payments.

In my experience as a financial advisor, I have never had a client run out of a Long Term Care benefit pool. I am not here to tell you that it does not happen – it certainly can. But I am here to tell you that I do not believe it happens often. I have searched far and wide for statistics that would show how often it happens and cannot find a number!

Although your Long Term Care insurance company would prefer that you wait to put in your claim, I recommend that you do so as soon as you are eligible. You can always stop the benefits if you no longer need them, then restart later. And if you max out your benefits, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you received 100% of your benefits and protected your assets to the greatest possible degree. Don’t lose out (or let your parents lose out) on the Long Term Care insurance benefits they have purchased!

If you have questions or need additional guidance on this or related issues, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to help! Sandy.Adams@centerfinplan.com

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

---

Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams, CFP® and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. Long Term Care Insurance or Asset Based Long Term Care Insurance Products may not be suitable for all investors. Surrender charges may apply for early withdrawals and, if made prior to age 59 1⁄2, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to any gains being taxed as ordinary income. Please consult with a licensed financial professional when considering your insurance options. These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of Long Term Care insurance. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.