September 14th, 2022
Jan Cullinane’s Latest Edition of ‘The New Retirement’ Is Like Having a Sage Life Coach on Speed Dial
Title: The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life
Author: Jan Cullinane (Foreward by Kerry Hannon)
ISBN-10: 978-1-119-83815-9
Reviewed for the NABBW by Anne Holmes
This the third edition of Jan Cullinane’s seminal work, and as Kerry Hannon says in her foreword, “(This book) is a persuasive reminder that retirement is vastly different today than in previous generations, and (it) will continue to mutate.”As I write this review, we are living in a time of rampant inflation, post-Covid, when everything – especially food and medical care – costs more, and when according to the Fidelity Retiree Home Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 probably needs to have saved approximately $300,000 (after tax) just to cover healthcare expenses.
Further, a 2021 study by Age Wave, Edward Jones and the Harris Poll noted, among other findings, that:
- Regarding the finances of those not yet retired, a third are “contributing more to their retirement savings because of the pandemic” and a third plan to “delay retirement because of the pandemic.”
- Meanwhile, 89% of retires feel that “there should be more ways for retirees to put their talents and knowledge to use for the benefit of their communities and society.”
- And finally, 77% “wish there were more resources available to help them plan for an ideal retirement beyond their finances.”
While Author Cullinane has written books two prior books in this series, as well as a similar one written especially for single women, she notes the this one is written for everyone. “Whether or not we identify ourselves as married, always single, widowed, divorced, a person of color. and/or LGBTQ+ .” Further, she notes in her Introduction, that just as with the old L’Oreal commercials’ slogan, you should read this book: “because you’re worth it!”
Cullinane’s ‘Ultimate Guide’ offers readers an unbiased, Consumer Reports-style approach to retirement. I can promise you that: It is easy-to-read, practical and interactive. It’s also reader-friendly, written with copious use of subheads, bulleted lists, quote and humor. Not to forget that she includes loads of worksheets, references and helpful forms. And those are not relegated to an appendix. Every chapter ends with a list of additional resources and websites.
Jan Cullinane
Chapter topics include:
- What Makes Retirement Successful?
- 168 Hours a Week
- Working in Retirement: It’s Not an Oxymoron
- What and Where is Home?
- Locations, Locations, Locations,
- Forever Young
- Dollars and Sense
- The Taxman Cometh
- Money Saving Tips and Tricks
- The Final Chapter
- References
In summary: We all need a book like this one, right now, because Jan’s advice is both realistic and honest. She clearly understands the demographic reality of longevity and her book offers us Boomers realistic ways to create financial security and enjoy a happy future.
Highly Recommended.
