This major event merits considerable attention and preparation. The retiree too, deserves a proper send off. And what better way to send someone of than with a celebration replete with gifts that will last a lifetime.
That’s where the problem starts. How do you get a gift that will encapsulate what the person has meant to the company? Here are a few tips on choosing a gift for retirees.
1. Choose something that will last. Generally speaking, you will want to give a retiree a gift that will last, and not something that is consumable such as food or drinks and even toiletry. It has to be something that will be memorable and can be displayed. You may also give the retiree food and drinks, but they should only complement the main gift.
2. You may want to consider a corporate gift – one where every employee chips in, or one where the company itself sponsors the item. Personal gifts are also okay, as long as they fit the characteristics of # 1.
3. A plaque of appreciation is a common gift, and it never fails to fit the bill of being a priceless memento. You may want to add a few twists here and there so that it does not become a cliché. For example, you might want to try creating a bronze plaque for the person and at the same time create a memento plaque to be installed in a place of honor in the building. Some might even try taking out an advertisement with the local paper to announce appreciation for the retiree.
4. Depending on the personality and relationship of the retiree with the company, one might also consider giving fun gifts such as spoofed magazine covers, newspapers and others that bear the person’s name and image.
5. Another memorable gift would be a sponsored trip to any place the retiree has always wanted to visit. Although it isn’t something that can be hung on a wall or displayed on a shelf. The memories of the trip itself will prove to be a valuable memento to the retiree.
Helpful Tips in Finding the Right Retirement Home for You
1. Ask yourself how much you are willing to spend on your retirement home. Make sure that you can afford the retirement home of your choice. Find out if the home can meet your physical needs. Consider a retirement home that has health support like nursing and personal care. You may also consider the government-regulated long-term nursing home. This type of home can provide you enough health care than retirement homes.
2. Check out the place and see for yourself the type of services and medical care the retirement home offers. Have a list of the things you are looking for in a retirement home. Check out the rental units and ask about the policies like payment terms. Be sure to review the retirement home's agreement. Making a visit will help you compare the retirement home. It will help you to narrow down your options and make the selection much easier for you.
3. Be sure that you know what your rights will be once you have moved in. It is also important to determine how the home is being managed. You can ask the residents about the owner and if they have any feedback on the retirement home.
4. The home should be accessible. It should be located near other establishments like hospital, grocery stores and shopping malls. Those facilities should also be checked like the fire and emergency exits, rooms and environment. Also include the sanitation and cleanliness of the place.
5. Check if the staff is nice and friendly. Also make sure that the doctors, nurses and dietician in the clinic are legally registered and experienced. Also find time to meet the other members of the communities so that you will know the type of people you will be dealing with once you move in.
6. Try and gauge the “feel” of the environment and see if the home will fit your lifestyle. The home should not limit you from the lifestyle you prefer. Be sure to check if the home has leisure activities of your preference.
7. Determine the fees involved before moving in a retirement home and if there will be extra costs for extra services. Find out if the home includes free medical services or food and other basic needs. Also be aware of the legal structures that will be involved in moving in a retirement home.
7 Ways to Boost Your Retirement Income
Retirement contributes almost 1/3 of a person's life. It is for this reason that retirement should be given preparation and planning. Many Americans forget to save or just ignore their retirement. It’s very easy when you are young to think you have time to consider retirement later. However, the years roll by quickly and you can find yourself approaching middle age with no plan in place.
You need to start now and think of better ways to prepare for that time. It doesn’t mean that money will also retire once a person has retired. Here are some ways on how you can boost your retirement income:
1. Start saving now. It is never too late to start saving even for a little amount of money. When you save money, make it as untouchable as possible. Allocate your cash on your savings starting today and you will be surprised by the amount of money you will have by the time you retire if you start now.
2. Make a review of your finances and revise your budget. Reviewing your expenses will help you analyze where you spend your money the most. This will help you to cut your expenses and eliminate the things that you do not really need. This also teaches you on how to choose your priorities and weigh the things that really matter in your lifestyle. If golf is something that you can live without, why not allocate the money you spend on golf in your savings?
3. Review your insurance terms. Increasing your deductibles will help you cut your premiums to 20%. Do not count on Social Security or your pension plan.
4. You may want to make a quarterly payment on your taxes instead of being automatically deducted from your retirement distributions. You can also seek the help of a tax advisor regarding this issue.
5. Consider where you take your distributions. You may want withdraw funds from your Social Security first, then your taxable investments like the IRA. The main purpose here is that you should be able to cover your monthly expenses, lessen your tax fees and save as much money as possible.
6. Research investments that are intended for retirement. There are establishments that offer an investment while in retirement. You may want to get involved with with-profit bonds, stock market bonds, individual savings account, distribution bonds, and venture capital trusts.
7. Make use of your company plans. If your current company offers retirement services and then consider contributing the maximum amount. This will help you take advantage of pre-tax contributions.
Investing Upon Retirement
There is a lot a person can do even after retirement. It is an end to one chapter in a person’s life and the beginning of another.
There are many things a person can do such as learn new skills, take classes and be more active with the community.
By staying active, one’s mental development is still sharp making the person feel important.
Most individuals consider money to be important even after retirement. This is used to pay the bills and other expenses instead of using the money one has saved from the retirement plan.
Instead of waiting for retirements benefits that you are entitled to monthly, here are some tips you can do to still make it grow;
1. You do not have to wait until retirement before you start saving. At an early age, you can start saving by creating a plan. Some banks and insurance companies have good rates which, in the long term, will possibly even double the money you have invested in a number of years.
2. Another is investing the money in bonds. Bonds mature over a certain period of time and usually have a certain amount of growth.
3. Stocks are also a good option since businesses usually grow and profit earnings on a quarterly level as well as acquisitions and other deals increase the value of the shares.
4. Purchasing real estate is also a good investment. Unlike cars that depreciate in value once it leaves the lot, the price of properties go up. You can hold it for a few years then wait until the time is right to resell it making a profit.
5. If you feel like starting something, you can also start a business. The working experience you have can give birth to an idea. The help of friends and family can also do the same.
6. You can also get an investment retirement account. There are many types available that have certain tax advantages and at the same time promise earnings.
There are many ways where a little money in the beginning can mushroom into something bigger.
In the 1970’s people worked hard and relied more on the job than the investments that were available. These days it is the other way around.
By looking at the options available then spending wisely on sound investments with the help at times of a financial manager, you can do wonders with the money earned before and after retirement.
The choice is up to you.
Why People Never Grow Old with Retirement Jobs
Nowadays, getting a job and keeping it is one of the primary methods for most people. As time goes by, many people become tired and worn out thus, the concept of retirement.
Through retirement, people who have worked hard during their lives until they reach the age of 65 will finally reap their fruits of labor from their nest egg and enjoy a well-earned rest.
However, there are people who do not seem to get tired easily and would still like to reap more than what they have already. Today, there are people who opt to retire at an early age, usually those who belong to the age bracket of 51 to 59 and avail of what they call as retirement jobs.
This growing trend of money-earning potential is gradually dominating in elderly people. However, the main reason is not more on the financial status but more on their intention to serve their respective community. In fact, surveys show that almost 58% of those who are at an early retirement stage and are engaged in retirement jobs had contended that the reason why they still want to work is that they still want to serve their community.
In some surveys, where 1,000 Americans who belong to the age bracket of 50 to 70, the people’s yearning to get a job corresponds with their desire to give back to their community.
To know why more and more older people opt to get a retirement job after they retire, here is a list of some of the reasons why most of them opt to have jobs even after retiring.
1. Mental stimulation
Most of the people who get a job after retirement desire to continue to be of service, thus, stimulating their mind to continue working.
In fact, 55% of those who want retirement jobs prefer to work in the teaching industry.
2. Love for work
Most of the people who opt for retirement jobs just cannot get hold of the fact that they are no longer working. Their body seems to thirst for the kind of satisfaction and gratification that they used to experience when they were still at work.
3. Economic reasons
The fact that most people who want to get retirement jobs when the time comes is not an understatement. It’s actually the main reason why they still want to work.
Retirement jobs are not just the usual jobs that older people used to pursue. It is more of an extension of their everyday lives wherein they continue to get hold of the gratification that they need.
Know the Right Retirement Location for You
You might be overwhelmed by the number of retirement locations offered across the country. Each of which may provide everything you need or the best comfort and amenities you are looking for. You might be confused on which of the retirement locations you would like to spend your retirement age.
Make a checklist of the things you need to help you narrow down your choices. This will help you to not overlook the important things that you need to consider. First list the things that matter most to you and then follow the secondary things that you are looking for.
Determine the advantages you will get on every retirement location and if it can help you achieve the conveniences you are looking for in a community. A lot of retirement locations offer medical services, house and facility maintenance and leisure and sports. The cost of every house may also vary depending on the retirement location and therefore should be considered.
Determine your needs to make the choosing easier for you. Ask yourself if you would like to live independently or you would like the retirement community to provide for your meals and daily needs. Also, consider the type of faculties you need or the kind of houses you prefer. Make sure that you are aware of the services being offered by each community and what things you do not like.
Your retirement location should be aligned with your own lifestyle. It should not stop your lifestyle, instead help you express it. If you are the type of person who prefers bible studies, then choose a location that will provide bible sessions with the other members of the community. You should look for a community that will give access to your hobbies. If you love sports, the retirement community that you should choose should have the facilities for sports and leisure.
Find out if the location is accessible and close to hospitals and other establishments. Also, consider if the location is near your family. The place should be accessible so that your family can visit you from time to time.
Determining these factors will help you with the selection process and will save time and effort. Retirement is a time to enjoy and live your life to the fullest and therefore, the retirement location you choose should be the right one for you.
Ideas for a Retirement Party
If you’re planning your boss’s retirement party or maybe your parents, here's a list of things you need to know before you pull out that party hat.
1. Have a party theme
Think of a party theme that everyone could enjoy. One of the most enjoyable retirement party themes is “old and useless things”. You could ask the guests to bring gifts that are practically of no use or old. You could also have an alarm clock smashing ceremony, where the re