"If what you thought to be true about [money, the stock market, your broker] turned out not to be true, when would you want to know"?

At James & Associates we strive to raise this question, explore it and help you find alternative solutions. Perhaps you just want to learn more about a guaranteed lifetime income so that you don't have to worry about this question. Today's retirees will be retired for more years than they worked. The average 65 year old today stands a better than 25% chance of living past 90. It only makes sense, then, that you would want to make sure your retirement income lasts as long as you do.

Whether you are already retired, ready to retire, or looking down the road, we will explore ways to take the guesswork out of the process. How about locking in a worst-case scenario growth rate to base your income on, in some cases for up to 18 years at 4 or 5 times CD rates? Wouldn't it be nice if your retirement income automatically increased, in some cases doubled, if your physical condition changes?

Your broker has done a good job (hopefully) of helping you accumulate money for retirement, but now you need a specialist on the distribution process. We have tools that most brokers know very little, if anything about, and are not licensed to handle. This isn't a slap in the face to them; it's just the way it is. Their specialty is in techniques to accumulate money and their sources for income are limited.
Analysts predict the recession is over, or we have a long way to go, or, maybe, a depression is just around the corner. They are also telling us that the market is going up, but we may see some volatility along the way or, perhaps, we're getting ready for another downhill run.


Listen to enough of these people and you're likely to hear anything. Just the other day I heard a Canadian analyst predict the strength of the market in the coming year based on the size of a moose's antlers in December. Maybe it will depend on which team wins the Super Bowl.

Here's the underlying message you should take from all of this analysis. NONE OF THEM KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! They just want you to keep buying and selling as their analysis changes so that they can maintain their lavish standard of living. If you are tired of hearing about million dollar bonuses as you watch your portfolio decline, then maybe it's time to explore some alternatives.

You won't find absolute answers here. This is not a DIY retirement planning site. We discuss various tools that are used in the planning process. You carry a lot of clubs in your golf bag. You select the appropriate club for the situation. Your driver isn't a bad club, but it isn't the club of choice if you happen to be in the sand.

There is a strong parallel between the combination of clubs used in a round of golf, the expertise in selecting each club, the resulting score, and the implementation of financial tools in the proper combination for a successful retirement.

We can only raise some issues and hope to catch your attention on this website. We can lead you to the door, but you have to take the steps to walk through.

You have unique circumstances, and it would be impossible to address everyone's concerns. As you read through the discussions and look at the information presented, you will know if what is being said fits your situation. If it does, then we'll point you in a few directions to take it further.
Phone: 419-581-7120
E-Mail: jhayslip1948@aol.com
Web site developed by First Communications Group, Inc. 2009