Senior Living Guide

W hetherit'sadvice from their parents, a response to television ads urging viewers to save for retirement, or their own financial savvy, many of today's young professionals recognize the importance of saving for retirement from the moment they receive their first paychecks. But men and women over 50 may not have been so practical, and many such professionals may feel a need to save more as their retirements draw ever closer. Saving for retirement might seem like a no-brainer, but the National Institute on Retirement Security notes that, in 2017, almost 40 million households in the United States had no retirement savings at all. In addition, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that Americans have a retirement savings deficit of $4.3 trillion, meaning they have $4.3 trillion less in retirement savings than they should. Men and women over 50 who have retirement savings deficits may need to go beyond depositing more money in their retirement accounts in order to live comfortably and pay their bills in retirement. The following are a few simple ways to start saving more for retirement. Redirect nonessential expenses into savings. Some retirement accounts, such as IRAs, are governed by deposit limits. But others, such as 401(k) retirement plans, have no such limits. Reconsider your retirement date. Deciding to work past the age of 65 is another way men and women over 50 can save more for retirement. Many professionals now continue working past the age of 65 for a variety of reasons. Reconsider your current and future living situation. Housing costs are many people's most considerable expense, and that won't necessarily change in retirement. Even men and women who have paid off their mortgages may benefit by moving to a region with lower taxes or staying in the same area but downsizing to a smaller home where their taxes and utility bills will be lower. n Reframe age to let others see who we really are By GloriaDunn-Violin Special to the Marin IJ H ow old are you? I don't mean chronologically. What is your real age? What do you think makes you young or old? And, how do you view people of different ages? Often outdated language and attitudes paint an unflattering picture of older adults. These impressions come from a societal bias that was spoon-fed throughout history. Yet, today many older adults are actively embracing new lifestyles and exploring new interests. In fact, unlike any time in history, many are looking and acting younger than their given age. One way to change false perceptions about older adults is to change our words? And, to help others change theirs. We need to listen with new ears to what denigrates an older person, and make corrections in real time. For instance, if you hear someone say, "Old dogs can't learn new tricks," understand there are three offensive ideas for older adults in that statement: old… dogs… can't learn. Be proactive and correct those negative words by helping others learn a positive way to communicate. You could comment that "actually, when you're older you're smarter, because you've had more time to acquire and integrate knowledge." Let's eliminate words like elderly, aging dependents, and similar other-ing terms that stoke stereotypes. Instead, let's rethink, reframe, and teach words that honor us all. n Gloria Dunn-Violin is a professional speaker, consultant, and author. Her newest book, "Revivement: Having a Life After Making a Living," reframes retirement and gives the reader a path to enjoying a meaningful and fulfilling next phase of life. See havingalifenow.com for more free articles. Featheringthenestegg How to save more for retirement after age 50 Monte'sChapeloftheHills Since1931 Marin's only locally Owned Funeral Home Serving all of Marin County • Traditional Funeral Services • Cremation • Prearranged Funeral Planning • Funeral Insurance Plans • Memorial Services • Serving all Faiths • Memorial Markers 24 HOUR SERVICE 415-453-8440 330 Redhill Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 Edward J. Leon, Owner FDR 1633 Brian Hood FDR 1799 J READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017 WINNER SparkPoint Marin provides low to moderate income individuals and families with financial literacy education and free financial and career/employment coaching to take charge of their finances and achieve financial goals. To learn more, call us at (415) 526-7530 Come see us in San Rafael at 555 Northgate Drive, Suite 201 Visit us online at camarin.org/sparkpoint DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY? In partnership with 18 June 10, 2018 Senior Living A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com

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