How can I accumulate the assets that I will need to support a 20, 30, or even a 40 year retirement? And what are the best strategies to manage the distribution of these assets in support of my lifestyle? How do I balance my short term needs, my longer term needs and the legacy I wish to leave behind?

How do I factor in an unknown lifespan? What about the tax consequences that accompany so many of these decisions? How will inflation impact my spending needs? How can I deal with market volatility?

In other words, how do I deal with the Real Risks of investing for retirement?  These are the key questions in retirement planning today.

Over the last 40 years there has been a dramatic shift of the responsibility for your financial future. It’s now directly onto your shoulders. You need a plan, and a process to evolve that plan, as you and the world around you change. Your plan needs to reflect your needs, your objectives, your financial situation and your values.

Success will require you to stay focused, be organized, to have rational expectations and to stay flexible.

Mike Tyson has an interesting take on planning: “Everyone who fights me has a plan ‘til they get punched in the mouth.” An experienced advisor will likely be able to keep your plan on track when the fighting starts!