The Eight Golden Rules

Since 1983, we have consulted with thousand's of retirees and as a result we have learned a great deal about your needs and the challenges you face. Over the years, we have found ideas, strategies, and solutions to help you achieve your retirement goals and dreams with less stress and greater enjoyment.

We believe your retirement should be about all the things you have wanted to do but never had the time while you were working and raising a family. Your golden years should not be spent worrying about money!

We recommend the following eight rules. If you would like our expert advice, call and request a financial review. There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your investments.


Raymond A. Czapka, CSA, CRFA
Senior Financial Advisor

"When you use our services, you can expect a valuable education, a wide selection of high quality products, and superior service."

To Achieve and Preserve a High Quality Life Style in Retirement:

Golden Rule #1

• Do Not Outlive Your Money -YOUR MONEY HAS TO LAST AT LEAST AS LONG AS YOU DO!
  The Alliance for Aging tells us the average person is born with a set of genes that would allow them to live 85 years and maybe longer based how they take care of themselves. Your retirement plan must include longevity provisions.

Golden Rule #2

• Protect Your Money Against Market Losses - DO NOT GO INTO THE MARKET UNLESS YOU HAVE LAYERS OF PROTECTION AND A SAFETY NET! Your retirement strategy should protect your money first, generate competitive returns second. You do not have enough time to lose money.

Golden Rule #3

• Stop Losing Money The Safe Way - Low paying fixed investments like CDs actually lose money after inflation and taxation. Once again, you do not have enough time to lose money.

Golden Rule #4

• Stop Relying On Unpredictable Interest Rates For Your Retirement Income - If you need income from your investments and rely on traditional fixed interest rate investments, the Federal Reserve controls your income and the quality of your retirement. Your plan should provide for long term dependable income streams regardless of market conditions.

Golden Rule #5

• Stop Paying Unnecessary Taxes - Your plan has to reduce and/or eliminate taxes on:
  1. Social Security Benefits.
  2. Unused interest income, dividends, and capital gains.
  3. Capital gains even when you lose money (e.g. Mutual Funds).

Golden Rule #6

• Protect Your Assets From Nursing Home Confinement - LEVERAGE YOUR CASH TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS FROM NURSING HOME CONFINEMENT! The Wall Street Journal reported in June, 2000 that for a couple turning 65, there is a 75% chance that one of them will need long term care. AARP reported in May, 2000 that the average annual nursing home cost was about $56,000. Use asset leverage and transfer this risk for pennies on the dollar.

Golden Rule #7

• Maximize The Wealth You Transfer To Your Heirs - Your plan should have provisions to maximize your assets for your heirs:
  1. An IRA that is stretched can create a legacy.
  2. Leverage can double or even triple the value of the CDs, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds you have set aside for heirs.
  3. Set up an exit strategy for your tax-deferred unused annuities.

Golden Rule #8

• Protect Your Assets Against Probate - Your plan must have provisions to avoid the three problems your heirs will face if they have to probate your estate:
  1. Cost. An AARP study said, "The average cost of probate consumed 5 to 10 percent of the gross estate. In some cases, attorney's fees consume 20 percent or more of estate value."
  2. Time. The average time delays for probate are 1 ½ to 2 years.
  3. Publicity. Are you concerned about identity theft? 100% of your probate records are open to the public.

We invite you to call us for more information on how you can apply The 8 Golden Rules
to Achieve and Preserve a High Quality Lifestyle in Retirement.