Screenplays or script partials, documentaries

THE GLAMOROUS LIFE OF AN AUTHOR

CHAPTER 70: Live Long and Prosper | With Apologies to Mr. Spock

By Al E.

Over the years, lines from popular entertainment fill up our minds. They become the rich verbal signposts of popular conversation. And so well-known that no one asks, “What do you mean?” Who hasn’t heard someone do a Bogey imitation. Of “Here’s looking at you kid,” (after a few drinks). Who hasn’t jokingly cried out, “May the force be with you!” After a Star Wars premiere. Or at the end of a ribald and fun evening. As a group of close friends enjoys a splendid get-together. Especially when one of them is entering a tricky situation.

The present holds plenty of promise. But what can be done about the REAL financial future ahead?

And how often have we heard that Vulcan line, “Live long and prosper?”

In real life nowadays, living longer has become easier. Generally, most of us will outlive our forebears. Since we know about the dangers of smoking. Consuming too much alcohol, poor dietary habits and lack of exercise. We have benefited from improvements in medical knowledge. And science, as well as techniques in medical care. A recent BMO Wealth Management report says this. That the current life expectancy is 79 years for men. And 83 years for women. In addition, that we live about 15 years in retirement.

The same report states the following. In 2016, for the first time, we had more people aged 65 and over. Than under 15 years of age. That has implications for tax revenues and social expenditures. But that is another story for another time.

That’s the “Live long” part. My ghostwriter portfolio allows me to tango.

The “prosper” part involves longevity risk. A phrase we first heard about 10 years ago. For financial institutions, it refers to the increasing life expectancy of pension beneficiaries. It can result in higher and longer payouts by funds and insurance companies.

For individuals, it refers to the potential for living longer than expected. For the reasons above, and potential for depleting one’s savings. And in effect, outliving available resources. This can mean living in poverty. Depending on relatives, or becoming more dependent on government programs. And for exactly this reason, those programs are going to come under increasing pressure. This means in the years to come.

Depending on the individual’s situation, he or she can choose between several strategies:

1.   Postponing retirement

2.   Going into partial retirement and continuing to work part-time

3.   Stretching out the retirement glide path. That’s the period between deciding to retire and your actual retirement date. A glide path can be a year or even more. And it involves serious stock-taking of resources and opportunities

4.   Proceeding with retirement as scheduled. Consequently setting up a home business

5.   Continuing equity investments for as long as the individual can feel comfortable. This can mean holding equities in the investment portfolio well past 65 years of age. As a result even past the late 70s. That compares with accepted financial practice in the days of pre-longevity risk. When conventional financial wisdom meant a sharp reduction in equities. At around retirement age. A ghostwriter portfolio includes investments whenever possible.

6.   Cutting back on non-fixed expenses

7.   Paying close attention to conflicting needs. Concerning retirement saving and children’s education expenses

8.   Ensuring that insurance covers all reasonably foreseeable emergencies

9.   Calculating potential retirement income at least one year. And preferably more. Before the projected retirement date. This means adding up the following:

–        Projected payments from a company pension plan. When there is such a plan. And estimating the income tax liability on those payments

–        Preparing a conservative projection of how much can be withdrawn. Annually from registered and non-registered investments. Again allowing for the income tax liability. This calculation is more complicated than it sounds. Since it involves different tax calculations on different assets. And finally, on stock market assumptions

–        Understanding government benefit programs

All of this produces a complex two-way financial tug. First there’s understandable feelings of entitlement, and wanting to cut loose in retirement. On the one hand, and the need to stretch finite resources on the other.

Most of the above strategies are effectively carried out in consultation with a trusted financial advisor. Who’s totally aware of the client-investor’s needs and plans. As well as the related investment portfolios.

How to make sense of all this?

An approach that I strongly recommend is talking to the financial advisor. To calculate a “safe” retirement monthly figure. One withdrawn from investments held outside of the pension plan. This figure should take into account anticipated taxes, and conservative investment growth. Portfolio volatility and a lifespan of at least 10-15 years. Longer than typical in the client’s family.

To that figure, add company pension plan payments. Government benefits and other sources of income.

Then, reconcile that figure against the retirement budget. Including fixed expenses. Lifestyle plans such as travel, elder care and continuing education expenses for dependent children. My ghostwriter portfolio includes my expenses, against my income of course.

If the first figure is larger than the second, no adjustment is needed.

To “live long” in retirement is only partially within the individual’s control. And it involves at least some self-discipline. The “prosper” part requires work. Usually with an advisor. Get it under your control soon.

Al E. is an established financial journalist. Included in this ghostwriter portfolio for GWI. He’s published in a wide variety of countries. And the author and co-author of several financial books. He also has a long track record writing about the Middle East. Additionally, he’s the author of the upcoming Emid Reports on the Middle East. Scheduled for release in 2019. You can hire Al through Ghost Writer, Inc. for business book ghostwriting services. At affordable rates that come through our agency.

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