Carmon

Retirement planning is not just about how much you have saved in your retirement account. Your state of mind and ability to fill your days with rewarding and productive activities are just as important as the amount that is stashed away in your retirement account.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1.Do you reluctantly go to work each day? If not,. and you still enjoy your job, youre probably not ready to retire - - keep maximizing your contributions to your workplace retirement account, particularly if it is employer matched. If yes, you may be ready to retire (or to change your job).

2.Do you know what you want to do when you retire? If not, its time to think about the possibilities. If yes, you may be ready to retire.

3.Will your retirement lifestyle and interests require additional income? (Ex: travel, golf). If so, have you saved enough to afford these luxuries? If no, youll need to modify your interests or keep on saving. If yes, you may be ready to retire.

4.Do you plan to work part time or in a less demanding job in your retirement? If yes, you may be ready to retire. Be sure to calculate this income in your retirement income planning.

5.Do you plan to start a long dreamed-of business, and do you have with the additional capital needed for your enterprise? If yes, you may be ready to retire. Good luck with your business.

6.Are your children self-sufficient? If no, when do you anticipate they will have graduated and entered the workforce? You might want to wait until that time. If yes, you may be ready to retire.

7.Have you and your spouse sat down to discuss how you want to spend your retirement time? Do you agree? If not, it may be time to have that conversation? If yes, you may be ready to retire.

8.Will your spouse continue working? If yes, are you able to keep busy and fulfilled during retirement without the company of your significant other? If yes, you may be ready to retire.

9.Is your mortgage paid off (or almost)? If not, are you ready to move to a smaller house or a less expensive location? If yes, you may be ready to retire.

10.Are you over 62 and qualified for social security benefits? If yes, you may be ready to retire.

11.Are you over 59 with a sizeable IRA or 401(k) account? If yes, you may be ready to retire. If not, do you have another source of income to that will support you in your retirement? If yes, you may be ready to retire.

12.Have you already saved enough in your retirement account to sustain your lifestyle until you are 90? If not, it may be time to increase your retirement income savings contributions. If yes, you may be ready to retire.

13.Did you answer yes to 10 or more of these questions? If yes, youre probably ready to retire.

Learn more about what you can do to prepare for retirement by visiting http://www.afteriretire.com, a popular resource for retirement planning information. You can also get there if you click here