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FINANCE
THE GOLDEN YEARS

CREATING YOUR IDEAL RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE

by Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP®
Financial Advisor
M y father always said that your “golden years” are between purpose-driven lifestyle – which, in turn, often

ages 50-80. This is when you are in good health, have leads to increased longevity and life satisfaction.
gained wisdom and hopefully have gathered enough
assets to support your lifestyle. It is an exciting time in your life. If you PARTNER WITH A FINANCIAL EXPERT
plan well, you will finally have the time to do everything you’ve always
The best way to enhance your retirement
wanted: exploring the world through travel, spending time with your
experience is through a partnership with a
family, or discovering a new favorite hobby.
financial expert. Given all the complex variables
In order to bring your retirement dreams to fruition, you need to
that exist in today’s retirement landscape –
create a financial strategy that will support your desired lifestyle. By
inflation, rising insurance and health care costs, changing tax laws,
preparing and executing a strategy that reflects your wishes, you will
potential fluctuations in your future income, and family dynamics –
likely find the golden years of your retirement to be a liberating and
the need for expert financial advice is greater than ever before.
enjoyable experience.
DETERMINE YOUR GOALS START WITH A CLEAN SLATE
Retirement is the ideal time to re-evaluate your overall attitude
In order to understand your income needs during retirement,
towards money. Consider how your money can serve as a tool for
it’s imperative to spend some time determining how you want your
achieving your highest values in life. By retirement age, you have
golden years to look. We take our clients through a special process of
probably collected all the physical possessions you need, and you
defining and clarifying what is most important to them by allowing
likely have plenty of free time to pursue new endeavors in your life.
them to brainstorm ideas on a blank canvas.
Based on that, you may find it to be advantageous to start thinking
As an example, you may want to relocate to another climate, or
about money in terms of the experiences you can afford.
move closer to your family. Do you envision yourself travelling and
Whether you are saving for a grandchild’s college tuition or
exploring exotic places around the world? Or would you rather
supporting a charitable cause that is close to your heart, a fundamental
just relax – maybe rebuild a classic car or learn how to paint? Your
shift in how you view money can empower you to achieve these
retirement goals serve as the framework for your savings plan, and
aspirations.
will be instrumental in helping you to go confidently in the direction
Through careful planning and consistent motivation, you will have
of your dreams.
a better opportunity to position yourself to meet all of your retirement
START EARLY goals. In the end, a solid financial plan and a winning team of financial
professionals will serve as your GPS – guiding you towards happiness
The key to living to the fullest in your golden years is to start and personal fulfillment throughout your golden years.
planning early. Understanding where you are today and where you
want to be in your golden years; making necessary adjustments today
Jill Ciccarelli Rapps, CFP®
can make all the difference tomorrow. When you are 3-5 years away
www.CASMoneyMatters.com
from retirement, you should begin thinking about creative ways to
create the income you will need and consider how best to reduce
Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc. is located at
taxable income. As with everything that is worthwhile, this takes
9601 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239.262.6577)
time. The more time you have to plan, the better!
Jill Ciccarelli Rapps is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®,
THINK LONG TERM a trained life coach and a partner of Ciccarelli Advisory Services, Inc., a
family-focused wealth management firm in
When you imagine your retirement, you likely think about the
Florida and New York.
early years – when you are in good health and medical complications
don’t impede on your livelihood. Though our health tends to decline Investment advisory services offered through Ciccarelli Advisory
as we age, you shouldn’t hesitate to make plans well into your later Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser independent of FSC
years. In fact, the number one area that retirees tend to underprepare Securities Corporation. Securities and additional investment advisory
services offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/
for is health care costs. Setting retirement goals that extend well
SIPC and a registered investment adviser.
into your 80s and 90s can inspire you to continue leading an active,
76 Life in Naples | February 2017