Personal questions have been asked, and an economic history recorded. (since no retiree is quite the same as another these personal answers should sway decisions in retirement).

 

Restudy, Rethink
    Now that you have gone once through the book, it is important to restudy those sections that were meaningful to you and to rethink them in the light of your own circumstances. Perhaps you will make no changes to your current program, but check your progress in a year against the inventory you recorded in Chapter 4. Or perhaps you see some areas that need to be worked on.

 

Highlights NOT to overlook
   Wills and trusts should not be overlooked, even by those with modest means. In some states, including Utah, a valid will may
be a simple handwritten one. While this is not a recommended way, it is at least often better than no will at all. Some type of
decision concerning living wills should be made. Too much controversy exists today to leave this to chance.
   Understanding the income tax laws in general is necessary to peace of mind. Even if someone else prepares your taxes, you
are responsible for the information on the forms. Each year you should order IRS Publication 17 and read at very least the front
inside cover on the "highlights of tax changes" for that year.
    Improve the safety and security of your residence with ideas from the chapters on crime and accidents. Continually improve
your communication skills and take reminiscent time to make sense out of your life experiences. Enjoy retirement time to your fullest.

 

Dealing with professionals
   Most retirees will need the services of professionals. These may be health, financial, legal, and teaching professionals. Some may be dealt with for a very limited time, others may be required for sustaining life itself. In any event, it is important for the retiree to look upon them in a mentally helpful manner.

 

You should hire them
 As most professionals will admit, the client-professional relationship is an important one. In order to serve the retiree best, strong friendship and trust levels are important yet often lacking. Retirees should interview and "hire" professionals, rather than simply taking the first opportunity that comes along. Questions of the competency of the professional can be cleared up quite
quickly by checking references.

    But a one-on-one interview is required to determine compatibility. Sometimes personalities just do not match, and you should move on to another candidate. Once a professional is chosen, the level of involvement needs to be established. There are three basic levels of relationships that you may have with a professional:
   Level #1- Superficial. At this level there is little personal involvement and you are not on a "first name basis." You want a
specific item or service that is of high quality and conservative price.
  Level #2- Multiple. Now the trust levels are stronger, first name basis is common, and you still control the relationship. Here you want multiple services or items provided by your trusted professional. You want him/her to answer questions, but not to volunteer advice.
  Level #3- Confidential. The most trusting of relationships, you want the professional to volunteer, in confidence of course, advice relating to your well-being. This advice may cover areas that you have not even considered. You have given the professional a "license" to be intimately acquainted with your needs and circumstances, and expect him/her to honor that relationship with a strong commitment to you.

 

Jealousy among professionals
   Professionals are people, with the same feelings that others have. They are also people who have followed certain "schools of thought" that appealed to them.Since man is far from having a perfect knowledge in anything, these "schools of thought" may conflict with one another. The result is that most professionals hold tightly to their convictions and may appear to be in
opposition with others. In fact, some professional associations may even criticize other professionals publicly.
    Probably the best solution would be having professionals from different schools of thought work together for a season to learn to appreciate each other's points of view. But for now, you will have to do the investigating of their claims. Be careful, especially, of the professional who does not want you to investigate further for a "second opinion." He may not be unethical, and may be "in the right" in what he as suggested for you, but he is, perhaps, too demanding of his own particular "school of thought." He may be blinded to other options. Those other options just may be better in your situation.

 

What those titles mean
 Many professionals have titles or some type of initials behind their name. Most people, however, may not know what the particular letters stand for. First you must understand that some represent college degrees (usually advanced degrees) that the professional has earned. Others represent "certifications" earned. They may be earned by a single simple test or through vigorous learning and practice in the field. Still others may be initials a person has "made up" himself and granted to himself (quite meaningless).
    

    With all those possibilities, it again falls to the client --you-to seek out the references for understanding. The easiest way is to look at the associations that the professional belongs to. These associations demand, as part of their membership acceptance, not only a minimum competency in the profession, but also a pledge of ethical practice. A professional may be expelled from
the association for conduct unbecoming the profession. Most professional associations maintain membership lists and will give referrals. This may be the way you first meet your professional (do not forget that you first want to interview him/her for compatibility). The association should give you the names of at least two or three professionals in your geographic area to interview.

 

NOW: Do it!
    Your effort in reading this book is entirely wasted if you do nothing about it. Wisdom is knowledge coupled with proper action.  List here what you have committed to do and when. And good luck to you in your enjoyment of the "golden years!"

 

 Commitments                                                     Accomplishment Date