Senior Financial Planning Group

Senior Financial Planning: Retire and Enjoy Life

By Rich Livingston
Freelance Writer

“The fact is,” said Richard Theriault, principal financial advisor of Seniors Financial Planning Group, “that most people spend more time planning a vacation than they spend planning for retirement.” At the same time, he explained, those who do plan adequately to retire are always able to enjoy a more comfortable post-retirement lifestyle than those who fail to plan, regardless of whether they have any assets when they become eligible for Social Security and Medicare.
“We’re retirement dream facilitators,” Theriault explained. “We want retirement to be as enjoyable and carefree for everyone as possible. We don’t want folks to have to worry about their financial well-being.”
While this is a notion that may have particular resonance in this troubled economy, Theriault says that retirement issues have been complicated by the fact that people are simply living longer than they used to, and longer life spans sometimes carry new health issues, as well. People who might have expected to live 15 or 20 years after retirement can now look forward to 30 years, or more, of retirement.
Seniors Financial Planning Group is a unique service that works only with retirees or those within months of retiring. “It’s never too soon to start planning,” Theriault said, “and we welcome a chance to provide advice to 45 or 50-year olds. We’ll help point them in the right direction with a free consultation, then advise them to come back to us a few months before they actually retire. That’s when we do our most important work.”
Planning typically includes an assessment of Medicare, long-term care, and a wide variety of investment options that minimize risk while providing long-term growth and a current income stream. Most programs designed by Seniors Financial Planning Group operate with far less risk than market-based investments, although there are some available which can be market-driven, as well.
“We don’t advise people about how to plan for college expenses, for example,” is how Theriault explained the unique practice. “We don’t provide long-term, aggressive market-driven advice. Our concentration is exclusively with those who are just about ready to retire right now and who don’t have years to watch investments grow slowly.”
“We advise people to strike a balance between their immediate financial needs and their longer term interests such as wealth transfer to their loved ones upon death, which is of the utmost importance in the planning process,” Theriault said. “Did you know,” he asked, “that lots of people actually pay more taxes after they retire than they did while they were working? That doesn’t have to happen!”
CRFAs are specialists in retirement planning. Theriault has completed the rigorous training and certification process of the Society of Certified Retirement Financial Advisors and has earned the coveted Certified Retirement Financial Advisor (CRFA)® designation.
Seniors Financial Planning Group sponsors a series of FREE workshops that deal with the broad scope of retirement issues, as well as a series of more topical, narrowly-focused workshops that deal in greater depth with particular issues.
Those attending workshops often have many questions and are offered a FREE hour consultation with Richard to answer any questions they may have regarding their individual situation. Other FREE services for seniors include a consultation with an attorney on what they call ‘Lawyer’ day. This is when an attorney is made available at their office to answer any and all questions regarding wills, trusts, and probate. Seniors Financial Planning Group even provides discounted tax preparation services to seniors with simple returns. “Did you know,” Theriault asked, “that lots of people actually pay more taxes after they retire than they did while they were working? That doesn’t have to happen!”
Most people work all their lives for the chance to stop working. Seniors Financial Planning Group is there to make sure they can retire when they like and how they like.

Testimonials

“I think he’s honest. There’s no question that he’s helped me greatly. He helped me hang onto what I’ve got – not only principal protection but my gain too.”
– Mr. R. Audet, Sabattus

“Richard answered all of our questions and gave us a lot of information we didn’t know about social security, how to save on taxes, and health insurance. He really pays attention to us and gives us prompt service. Everyone should go to one of his workshops…really!”
– Mr. & Mrs. M. Laroche, Lewiston

“One of the best things I’ve ever done was to attend this workshop. Richard saved my house and my finances.”
– Mr. G. Albert, Lewisto

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