Retirement Doesn't Have to Be an Illusion

So, what would you do with an extra $10,000? Watch what some people would do.

For many, a healthy financial lifestyle is a top priority for 2017. Achieving financial and retirement security doesn’t have to be an illusion. It’s important to put pen to paper and write down goals for your retirement and financial future. Then speak with a financial adviser, do your research and make a plan.

AARP has a number of resources available to get you started including calculators to help determine Social Security benefits,  retirement preparedness and  health care needs, as well as financial workshops. Plan your own financial future and visit our website.

Understanding the challenges that can cause financial instability is another smart step. Earlier this year, we partnered with the Siena College Research Institute to take the financial pulse of Generation Xers and Baby Boomers across New York State, especially as we prepare for a new state legislative session in Albany, a new Congress on Capitol Hill and a new president in the White House.

Based on our survey, “ New York’s Vanishing Middle Class,” we discovered a lot of us are uncertain about our retirement and our financial future. If a few things don’t change, many of us won’t be in the middle class anymore when we retire.

We also know that more than 3.5 million New Yorkers lack access to workplace retirement savings plans. There is good news though. Governor Cuomo has convened a commission to examine the retirement savings problem in New York and recommend solutions. AARP State Director Beth Finkel is representing us on the Governor’s Commission, and will fight for a workplace retirement savings option for employees of companies that don’t offer a plan.

We need your help to keep the pressure on our lawmakers to give New Yorkers more options to save for retirement. You can start by signing our petition.

Remember to put pen to paper and plan for your future, pledge to hold the legislators accountable and pressure Albany for new options to help ALL working New Yorkers save.

Sign up for email alerts and stay up to date on financial workshops happening in 2017 in your community.