Retirement Security in the 21st Century:
Considerations and Risks in Building the Infrastructure

A Retirement Security Institute white paper, September 2007 (29 pages)

White Paper Addresses Retirement Security Risks and Planning Considerations

How should a person plan for retirement in a climate of underfunded pensions and health care liabilities, market volatility, and longevity? The new white paper takes a comprehensive view of the retirement landscape. The paper is intended to be a resource for those helping individuals and families deal with the myriad issues in retirement. It can help provide context to inform decisions through relevant and pertinent information presented in a straightforward way.

The paper is accompanied by a companion 55-slide presentation to help identify information and concepts in a quick user-friendly fashion. The most recent data available is used for real-time analysis. Some of the subjects covered in the white paper include:

• Retirement security risks
• Demographic overview of the retiree and boomer population
• New concepts for planning or discussions of retirement security
• Health care trends, particularly Medicare
• Retirement income and portfolio considerations
• Economic climate including how globalization impacts retirement security
• Financial markets discussion focused on retirement issues
• Trends in corporate and state and local pensions
• Government programs to retirees
• Future directions

While geared to educate professionals serving the retirement market, the paper offers perspective for anyone working in the retirement market, including the retiree. Sources of information are well-documented for further research by any reader. The paper frames the issues of retirement security differently than what is available today. There are many very good resources, but none with the most relevant and succinct information and analysis.

An excerpt follows:

Preface

People in general need to be educated, with a clear understanding, about the risks they face in retirement. Building one’s personal infrastructure for a secure retirement requires knowledge on a variety of fronts. The environment today for the retiree is more complex, but not unmanageable. Corporate reductions to retiree benefits have created greater uncertainty for upcoming and current retirees. It is widely known that the entitlement spending in Medicare and Social Security are on an unsustainable path. The competition brought by more globally-connected economies is impacting Middle America in new and different ways. More proactive steps will be needed in this new retirement paradigm.

By being sufficiently educated and with proper planning, most people approaching retirement and those already retired can be prepared for the challenges and navigate change.

The risks in this new retirement paradigm must be considered and weighed. Each person will find different meaning in the information presented by this white paper and is encouraged to reach their own conclusions. By design, the paper is at times heavy on fact; in other places, new concepts may dominate. This is to facilitate individual thought and reflection on these matters. Regardless, building the infrastructure requires being open to new concepts, possibilities, information, and changes in executing a plan. Of course, maintenance of one’s personal retirement infrastructure will be required as needs change and the landscape shifts.

Author Jennifer Warren utilizes her 15-year background in economic and policy analysis alongside the most credible information available. The RSI combines its work and analysis with top academic researchers’ findings in the field of risk management and individual finance decisions. For more information about Jennifer Warren visit www.conceptelemental.com.

 

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