Winning at Retirement (First Responder Edition)

About this book

A roadmap to happiness in retirement.First Responders face a difficult task in retirement: replacing the strong sense of identity, the camaraderie, and the challenge that comes from a life of service. Thankfully about half of American retirees describe their post-work years as the best time of their life. Winning at Retirement is a step-by-step guide to ending up in that happy half. It offers a practical, inspirational, and entertaining look at the process of seeking happiness in what should be your best years. This special edition of the popular retirement guide adds information and emphasis to areas specific to the role of "First Responder"You will learn: Clear advice on the "DROP" and other aspects of public sector pensions. Should you be afraid of a pension default? How does your plan interact with Social Security and Medicare? In plain language, when to turn on Social Security, and how to avoid a common mistake that married couples should avoid. Winning has been lauded as one of the clearest guides to Social Security claiming strategies. Straightforward investment advice that starts with recognizing that we have no idea what will happen next with the economy and the market. Includes "Five Money Maxims" ... a set of principals that helps simplify investing. How to navigate the maze of Medicare. The book will help you understand the structure of the program, explain the choices you need to make, and tell you how to get help with enrollment. Best practices for maintaining health and wellness. After all, it is much harder to enjoy life if you struggle to move, or are living with pain. Information about diet and exercise can be confusing and conflicting, but wellness and aging can be boiled down into key concepts that you can (should!) put into action. Beyond addressing practical considerations like money, health, and where to live, Winning challenges you to ask: "who am I going to be in retirement?" Retirement is an opportunity for reinvention, or as a popular quotation from the book says, "a blank sheet of paper". But far too many people plan for the financial aspects, without recognizing the importance of seeking a meaningful, impactful identity. This is especially important for someone stepping away from a career of service. Today's retirees are plugged-in. Winning takes a thoroughly modern look at the subject, describing web tools, apps, TED talks, and the vast world of resources that are at your fingertips in your quest for financial stability, health, and purpose. In the end you will learn about the "Retirement Happiness Map", a simple but effective note-taking method that pulls together all aspects of your plan for a happy future. Step inside, you will not be disappointed.