Retirement can get old very fast

According to the National Post, the concept of retirement is changing dramatically, egged on by the debt problems faced by governments funding pension programs. Click here to read the story.  The attached photo is by Chloe Cushman for National Post.

Choosing CPP start date requires the whole picture

Retirement planning takes a lot of calculating and planning. One of the factors that must be considered is CPP retirement benefit, particularly as the plan underwent some changes this year. Click here to read an article from the Globe and Mail about taking your CPP start date into consideration.

Boomers reluctant to curtail spending in retirement

I believe I'm going to be one of those people who doesn't want to reduce spending in retirement, assuming that I ever retire. Apparently this would put me in the majority, at least according to a recent study in the US. This article from a delightful blog called "Who moved my dentures? Essential information on healthcare, aging and caregiving" discusses that study. Click here to read it.

Boomers not ready to be shown the door

This article in today's Globe and Mail talks about the fact that we of the boomer generation will work later into our lives than did our parents, and about some of the reasons why. Click here to read it.

Living longer: the good news and bad

Statistics say that life expectancy has increased. This should result in changes to the financial plans we make for our retirements, but apparently many of us are resistant to that idea. Click here to read the story from SmartMoney.com.

Dream of retiring at 55 is dead, Conference Board says

There's absolutely no chance that I'll be retiring at 55. Apparently this makes me somewhat typical for a boomer, according to a new report by the Conference Board of Canada. Click here to read an article about this in the Financial Post.

Pre-emptive retirement planning

What kind of retirement planner are you? This article from bankrate.com will let you know whether you're a snoozer, an active resister, a wood-knocker or one of a few other types of planner. Click here to read the post.

Retirements swallowed by debt

This is an interesting article that discusses the fact that an enormous number of seniors are in debt, and their families don't know about it. Click here to read the article from the New York Times.

Retirement health, happiness require planning

This article from the Globe and Mail discusses the fact that many people plan the financial part of their retirement, but don't really think beyond that. The article says that we have to think about what we are going to DO all day. I personally will have to put some real thought into this, as I can barely get through a two-day weekend without fidgeting. Retirement might be really awful if I don't think ahead. Is anyone else in the same boat? To read the article, click here.

Working in "retirement" also appeals to the wealthy

The face of retirement is changing and many people are working at "retirement" jobs after they retire. Click here to read the article. I expect that I'll work after I retire from the trust company, simply because there are so many more books I want to write, I'll have to live to be 100 to get them all done.

Health is biggest worry of retiring boomers

This article from the New Brunswick Business Journal discusses the foremost concerns (health vs. money) of Canadians, and talks about the effect this might have on business succession planning. Click here to read the story. I find articles like this very effective for giving some context to individuals who wonder whether their own plans are on track with their peers.

Financial need delays retirement plans

This link goes to a story in the Globe and Mail that talks about the fact that many Canadians are delaying retirement. Would you believe that 5% of people are counting on the lottery for retirement funds? Click here to read the article.

Retirement a distant dream for many entrepreneurs

This is a really good article from the Globe and Mail that talks about how having a plan is necessary for an entrepreneur to retire. It has some good analysis that I think you'll find interesting. Click here to read the article.

Boomers feeling the financial pinch

I suppose it isn't news any more that a lot of retirement nest eggs were turned into omelettes over the last few years thanks to a volatile world economy. This article from the Globe and Mail gives some details about that, and gives what it calls the key to survival. Click here to read the article.

Why 68 or 70 should be the new 65

This article from the Globe and Mail makes the point that the CPP eligibility age should be raised above its current age 65. The author makes a persuasive, informed argument, in my view. See if you agree by clicking here to read the article.

Pension envy all the rage

In this article, Jonathan Chevreau of the National Post weighs in on the impact of changing the retirement threshold in Canada from 65 to 67 (which is under discussion at present but not yet mandated). He compares the situation of the 'average Joes' - that being you and I, the working people - to that of politicians who can retire a good decade earlier than we can already. Click here to read the article.

Should Canada's retirement age be raised?

We have all heard that there's a pension crisis coming. Politicians are casting about for answers. One that may or may not be up for discussion is raising the qualifying age for CPP to 67 from 65. Click here to read this article from the Globe and Mail.

Why women need to save more than men for retirement

I'm attaching an interesting article from the Globe and Mail that talks about why women typically need to save more than men for retirement. It's a function of earning less during our lifetimes and living longer. Click here to read the article.

Retirement means you continue working

At this rate, I'm on the Freedom-85 plan. How about you? Click here to read this story from the Globe and Mail.

10 reasons seniors work into their retirement years

A new study has identified the ten reasons given by people of retirement age (defined in the study as being 50+ years old - really? 50?) for continuing to work. Though the study is American, I believe that 9 of the 10 reasons likely apply to Canadians as well. Click here to read the commentary by Seniors for Living.