3 Qualities to Look For in an Active Retirement Community

A person can make the most of his or her retirement in many ways. Some may fear that retirement ultimately means days of boredom or inactivity since they are no longer working most of the day. However, many seniors are able to have an active retirement by choosing to fill their days with activities such as casino games, attending galas or even taking part in new hobbies and art.

Retirement living doesn't mean retiring from life. Many senior living centers provide many social activities as well as ways to stay active. These types of retirement communities help residents become a part of a larger social setting where there are group outings, social gatherings, and scheduled fun.

Companionship and Activity

When it comes to retirement living, most retirees want to stay as active as they possibly can. But the retired also want to maintain relationships, create new friendships and have companions to do activities with. Finding an active retirement community, not only means a retirement community that provides numerous things to do, but also one that encourages companionship through the creation of group outings and activities. Providing these types of structured activities encourages their residents to sustain and enjoy the camaraderie of others while having a good time.

When retired, many retirees may also not know what activities are going on in their area, how they will get to them or who they can go with. Active retirement communities are just that, communities that are active. As part of such a community residents will have the opportunity to be a part of a group, visit new places, and enjoy new things with other like-minded people.

Variety of Activities

Being retired doesn't mean one has to become sedentary. Active senior living centers encourage their residents to participate in activities that are suited for their guest's abilities and interests. Whether the activity be arts and crafts or that which is more physically active such as Tai Chi or a fitness class, it is the variety that is important. Program directors of active retirement communities know that their residents have many interests and therefore, they seek numerous ways to meet those interests. Finding such active retirement communities is important. Whether you like music, art, nature, shopping or trying new things, having variety should be a big part of any seniors living criteria.

Which Active Retirement Community To Choose

When seeking out the right active retirement community, research the specifics regarding what types of activities are offered. Find out whether there is a large variety of opportunity for residents to immerse themselves in. Look into the center's recreational and social calendar. Are there regular outings to area attractions in addition to walking groups, arts and crafts sessions, bingo games, fitness classes, and such? In warmer climates like Florida, retirement communities usually have swimming pools and spas for water aerobics or just general relaxation.

There are many different ways to ensure you have an active retirement. Joining an active retirement community that can meet your needs, provide to you companionship and variety, are just some criteria to look for. Other methods are up to you.

---

Christine O'Kelly is an author for Aston Gardens, a premier developer of award-winning Florida active retirement communities. Aston Gardens offers luxury senior living for the active retiree.

Article Source: Christine_OKelly

Guidelines in Choosing an Active Adult Community

1.Determine if living in an active adult community is for you. Living in an active adult community requires a lot of adjustments and flexibility. Ask yourself if you can be flexible with your new environment. Your lifestyle may also change and you should be prepared that the place, the surroundings, the people and many factors may be far more different from what you have now.

2. Consider it early. Living in a retirement location may require you a lot of time to make a decision. However, you should consider it early. You need to think about it and decide for it before you in the midst of retirement, or else it will catch you by surprise. In addition, moving in to an active adult community may involve relocating to another city or state such as Florida, Arizona, or California. Therefore, it is better to make your decisions long enough in advance to plan the logistics of a move.

3. Make a list on what you are looking for in an active adult community. Since moving to an active adult community means living in a new place, shop around before jumping on a final decision. Make a checklist of what you like in a retirement location. Getting a handbook of every prospect will also help you make the job easier. Consider the houses, the neighborhood, the different amenities and accessibility of the place.

4. Visit the community, and if possible, have an extended stay for a weekend or longer. It is better to check on many retirement locations before you make the final choice. You can then narrow down your choices. Visiting the place will help you make the comparison and will make you also consider if the place feels right for you. That will also be the chance for you make a survey of the neighborhood. You can also ask them what they like about the place, the experiences and the things that they do not like about the place.


5. Budget for your new home purchase. Do not forget expenses that will arise once you have moved in to your new active adult community. You need money to live a comfortable, active retirement lifestyle - and that is why it important to have a financial plan before you make any permanent decisions about making the move to your new retirement community.

Active Adult Activities

Retirement doesn’t mean the end of an active lifestyle. Quite the contrary, it opens up new opportunities for many new activities. Some retirees substitute voluntary community work for their former work. This gives definition or meaning to their roles after retirement.

Household work, volunteer work, family roles and community service actually increase after retirement. The familial roles of grandparents increase because of the expanded time available for travel.

The skills and knowledge acquired before retirement have value in the life of a retiree. Even if learning something new education and training affects the ability to do various activities at retirement. Lack of skill and a low literacy tends to limit the leisure activities of retirees.

A very difficult task to prepare for later on in life is the ability to cope with losses that increase as people get older. The productivity is the first loss in retirement but adjustment usually is short. Loss of a spouse generally has the biggest impact, and in general is the hardest to anticipate unless a terminal illness is diagnosed before death. The best preparation for a loss of spouse is to work on a sense of independence and self-reliance.

The two biggest concerns for retirement living were security of finances and health coverage. This is according to the GSA (Gerontological Society of America). Another great concern identified was isolation or lack of social support for well-being and loneliness or lack of support for emotional well being.

Planning for retirement must have preparation for financial well-being, a social support network, a set of meaningful activities and health care coverage. All of these concerns actually relate to each other. When a retiring person has a sound financial plan, the person can buy adequate housing and health care coverage. Active Adult lifestyle is a continuation of the person’s middle-age life.

A sound lifestyle can last a long while. Friendship and family can provide the support network later on in life. Retirement planning which includes developing economic and social skills cannot anticipate everything but provides a good foundation for enjoyment of life later on.

A successful active adult lifestyle includes the creation of a network of groups, family members and friends.

Active Adult communities that foster an active retirement lifestyle can be an important part of maintaining healthy activities throughout retirement.

Preparing For Retirement

Certain questions arise whenever an employee starts to think about retiring. Sadly, many reach retirement age unprepared. Some started planning late because of ignorance or lack of information. Some had a mindset that getting ready for retirement should be done when you're nearing the age of retirement.

The following list some information on retirement that should be helpful to employees of all ages.

1. RETIREMENT AGE
One's full retirement age varies but one can start receiving benefits at age 62 regardless of that. Full details can be found at Social Security Online Retirement Planner (http://www.ssa.gov/).

2. COST OF LIVING
Note the basic expenses you will continue to shell out regularly after retirement. Note also the probable expenses that might come up once you retire, like taxes and insurance for example. List needed or desired purchases that would come up by that time, like a resort retirement home in an active adult community. Knowing these probable costs now gives you the basic amount you should be able to save before retirement day comes.

3. RETIREMENT BENEFITS
a. SOCIAL SECURITY
www.SocialSecurity.org can provide you with an estimate. Getting an estimate of your retirement benefits will help you as you plan how much of your income should be set aside for retirement savings and or how much of your income should be used for other investments.

b. PENSION PLANS. Here, a monthly premium is paid for a specified time frame. With pension plans you can know how much you'd be receiving when the plan matures. Some companies get pension plans for their employees. But for those who don't, the employee can either request it or he himself can secure his own pension plan from a pre-need company.

4. INVESTMENT OPTIONS
a. SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS. Examples of these are bank deposits. You can save small amounts of money plus you have security because these deposits are insured.

b. LONG TERM INVESTMENTS. Examples of these are stocks and bonds. You can save larger amounts of money here. These investments however, are not insured.

5. LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
It helps to know now how your living conditions will be after you retire. This helps you set a targeted amount of total savings in order to achieve that lifestyle you plan to have in the future.

Would you be taking it easy by that time? Then you must start planning and saving much now. Would you be seeking other employment opportunities? That would mean additional funds for you. Would you want to have a fixed source of income after retiring? Then plan and save up for an affordable real estate investment now.

Yes, retirement comes later. But retirement planning is not for the old, it’s for the young. Start planning now.

Great Tips for Picking a Retirement Community

Tips For Selecting a Retirement Community

As more baby boomers approach retirement, new homes designed for aging adults are popping up everywhere. There are numerous housing developments and adult communities springing up around the country designed for residents over the age of 55.

Many of these communities offer the opportunity for socializing, recreation, outdoor maintenance that's taken care of, on-site restaurants, golf courses and numerous other amenities. There are generally four types of retirement communities. These are independent living facilities, active adult communities, continuing care retirement communities and assisted living residences.

Most new housing developments that target aging adults tend to be either active adult communities (AACs) or a blend of AACs with some continuing care facilities, like an on-site doctor or medical facility.

If you're thinking about moving for your retirement, new homes in age-restricted resort communities can be a fantastic option. No more lawn work, lots of activities, and beautiful settings await you. But, how do you choose the right community for you? Keep reading for a breakdown of the criteria you should look for in a retirement community.

How Close is it to the Kids?

If being close to your family is important, then you'll want to look for a home or retirement community that's close to your kids. Another consideration is space. Many units are sold as one-bedroom condominiums or two-bedroom homes. If you're planning to have many grandchildren visit, you may want to look for a community that offers larger units.

How do the Philosophies and Principles Compare to Yours?

Many retirement communities and active adult living developments have certain philosophies. The question is, do they match your own? If you love hunting and fishing, you may not enjoy spending your retirement in a community dedicated to vegetarianism and artistic pursuits.

For example, there's a retirement community in Arizona that's committed to academic research, another in Florida that's focused on extremely active living and yet another in California with a passion toward being an environmentally sustainable community. So, before you buy, make sure you understand the driving principles.

Is It Pedestrian Friendly?

The reality is that many seniors don't continue to drive for the duration of their lives. So, finding a retirement community that is either very pedestrian friendly or has easy access to public transit is critical. You'll appreciate the easy access to groceries and pharmacies.

Would I Get Along with the Other Residents?

Before you buy into a new retirement or adult community, you should always attend an information session to get a feel for other potential residents. Alternatively, if you're moving into an existing community, ask to spend the day at their recreation hall or community lounge.

Look around the room and ask yourself if you could see yourself spending your retirement with these people? Can you envision yourself sharing years of retirement together? Whether or not your home is new and beautiful, enjoying your neighbors is a critical part of enjoying your overall community experience, and you want to be sure to include that factor in your decision.

---

Article Provided by: Trevor Price
About the Author:
For great information on senior retirement preparation, please visit seniorretiretips.com, a popular site providing insights to help prepare for the next steps in your life journey, including Roth IRA contribution limits, retirement new homes, and many more!

Tax Implications of Early Retirement Distributions

The basic principle behind Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) is a deferment of tax liability from the time when your tax burden is greatest until after retirement when it is the lightest. When you establish an IRA and make contributions to it, you do not have to pay any tax on those contributions. Once you are past retirement age and receive distributions from these accounts, you will be in the "over 65" tax bracket. Even though you will have to pay taxes on the distribution at this time, your tax rate will be considerably less.

There are some important tax tips involved with receiving early distributions from a retirement account. The most important one is do not do it unless you have no other option open to you. If you take a distribution early, you will be subject to basically the same tax rate you would have paid originally. In many cases, a person's personal income, and thus his tax rate, will be highest in those latter years just prior to retirement. This will mean an even higher tax rate than if you had just paid when the money was first earned.

This is not the worst of it either. If you take an early distribution prior to reaching the age of 59 and one half, you are subject to a 10% penalty. It is those years between this magic number and your retirement age that you will incur the greatest tax burden if you receive a large distribution. When tax withholding is done properly in this era of paying taxes online, people are used to receiving a refund. A large and premature withdrawal will eliminate this post winter bonanza.

The sad truth about retirement is that a large portion of the population are saving nothing at all. Most people are operating their own personal budgets at a lost and not setting aside any savings toward retirement. This creates a constantly growing debt and an early distribution from your retirement fund becomes a necessity. Proper planning for retirement has become even more essential then ever in this time when employees tend to move from job to job. In past times when employees were more apt to remain with an employer for many years, pension plans would be a good addition to Social Security. This is rarely the case today.

The growing population of retired citizens has changed the face of retirement in more ways than one. The Active Adult Community has become a popular way to spend what are supposed to be a person's golden years. This has created a need for even more income during the retirement years. An Active Adult Retirement Community that offers all the amenities most seniors are seeking will demand an adequate income. It is important to begin planning for retirement as early as possible and to understand the negative tax implications of dipping into that retirement account too early.

---

Article provided by Natalie Aranda. Natalie writes about finance.

Life Insurance Planning for Active Seniors

Life Insurance has sometimes been described as a bet between you and the Insurance Company. The Insurance Company is betting that you are going to live and you are betting that you are going to die. If you do die, you win the bet. This approach has been the basis of life Insurance policies in the past. Despite the fact that it would seem this does not much benefit an individual, the truth was that the Life Insurance payout was designed to provide for those that you left behind.

Changes in health care and the increasing life span have brought some changes to this concept. The desire for senior citizens to spend their retirement in an active adult community where they can enjoy their golden years to the maximum has prompted many to take a fresh approach to the use of the cash value of life insurance. It has also influenced the type of policies that have become popular. When a payout upon death was the main purpose of an insurance policy, the only thing that mattered was the amount of the death benefit.

Today, people in increasing numbers are opting to not spend their last years in their homes. An Arizona active adult community that is located in an area without a harsh winter seems much more attractive. A Florida active adult community situated close to the ocean would be preferably to long cold winters. This is the new dream of senior citizens, but in many cases the funds needed to make this dream come true are not available at the time of retirement. It has become possible to redeem the cash value of an insurance policy prior to death through an annuity settlement. The basic idea is the seller of the annuity provides a cash settlement to you at retirement. In return, they basically become the new beneficiary of your policy.

The annuity settlement changes the conditions of the bet. Now, you are betting that you are going to live, and the new beneficiary of your policy is betting you will die. If you live, you win. Many senior citizens are seeing this as a better idea. It takes some careful planning, and each case must be considered individually. The debt situation and the situation of a spouse and of children must be taken into consideration. The increased popularity of Individual Retirement Accounts has lessened the need for a large death payout to some degree. The best time to plan for your life insurance needs as a senior citizen is long before you ever become one. Sadly, this is not always done until too late. In this case, the options can be considered. It is not a time to be rash and seeking the advice of a trusted Insurance agent or financial advisor is highly recommended. If you plan on spending your last years enjoying a California active adult community, start that planning as early as possible.

---

Article provided by Natalie Aranda. Natalie is a freelance writer.