2001 - Planning for Financial Independence and a Secure Retirement

January 10: The Financial Check Up with Alena Johnson. Find out where you stand financially today. Evaluate your debt ratios, insurance coverage and emergency savings. Learn how to do a yearly net worth statement to track your yearly financial progress. Ensure that your financial foundation is in order before you embark on your journey to financial independence and a secure retirement. Free Financial Checkup workbooks will be provided. This schedule may change so send your email address to Lown@cc.usu.edu to receive notices.

February 14: Lesson 1. On Wednesday, February 14th, FPW starts a new series of semars: we will be using hte web-based course Planning for a Secure Retirement. Like "investing for your Future," the basis for the 2000 programs, "Planning for a secure Retirement" was developed by the Extension Service so the focus is oon non-commercial education. This new site has lots more interactive components (like calculating your longevity and risk tolerance) and links to other sites.

March 14: Lesson 2. How Much Will Your Expenses Be in Retirement? Calculating Needs Use the Retirement Expense Calculator to determine your financial needs in retirement and Secrets of the Millionaire Next Door

April 11: Lesson 3 When Can You Collect Social Security? Basic information about Social Security Compute estimates of your Social Security benefits. See what happens to Social Security benefits if you retire early or delay retirement.

May 9: Couples Communication About Money with Barbara Kerkmann, B.S. in Family Finance, M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. Topics will include:
1. Money the last frontier - or we can talk about everything else
2. Family background - or MY family did it the right way
3. The Dance of Balance and Power - or the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules 4.Communication the right time and the right place - or setting the parameters
5. Communication how to do it - listening, responding and problem solving
6. What to do if things get out of hand -calming the fight or flight response
Bring your husband to this special program. This workshop will be useful for single women, too, as it will address communicating with family members about money. Note different locations! 12:30 in TSC 335 and 7 p.m. at the USU Community Credit Union

June 13: Lesson 4. Quick Estimate of Income Needed in Retirement Get a ballpark estimate for amount of income needed in your retirement. Increasing your retirement income.

July 11: Lesson 5: Medicare and Other Health Benefits Learn more about Medicare benefits and Medigap supplemental insurance policies. Health benefits provided by an employer or a union after retirement.

August 8: lesson 6. Employer-sponsored Retirement Plans. Defined contribution plans: 401(k) plans and 403(b) plans. Profit-sharing plans. Defined-benefit pension plans

September 12: Lesson 7: Are You (or your spouse) Self-Employed &/or Responsible for Your Own Retirement? For Small Business owners, too. If you or your spouse is self-employed (or plan to be) or if your employer does not provide a retirement plan, don't miss this session.

October 10: Lesson 8: Individual Retirement Accounts Roth or Traditional- which is best for you? (particularly useful for young women)

November 14: Lesson 9: Lump Sum Distributions What is a lump sum distribution and what should you do with it? (useful to young women who can expect to change jobs numerous times during their working life)

December 12: Lesson 10. Other Concerns Enjoying Retirement, Estate Planning, Retirement Housing, Long Term Care