Ready for Retirement Workshop and Webinars Coming Up

New Census data show that Hawaii is one of the most rapidly aging states in the country. Last year individuals age 65+ comprised more than 15 percent our total population (Hawaii ranked 9 ^th in the U.S.) and those age 85+ accounted for 2.5 percent of our population (Hawaii ranked 5 ^th).

But while the health and longevity of Hawaii’s people is a good thing (we live three years longer, on average, than the rest of the country) longevity increases the risk of outliving your retirement assets – causing many boomers to ponder the timeless question: “Am I ready for retirement?”

AARP Hawaii responds to this question with a new round of ‘Ready for Retirement’ workshops and webinars for residents nearing traditional retirement age. The sessions cover four areas vital to retirement security: 10 steps to get ready for retirement; top Social Security questions of 2013; Medicare 101; and the basics of long-term care planning.

The free workshops bring a different approach to retirement planning. Whereas many people have been conditioned by the financial services industry to see the accumulation of assets in preparation for retirement as the ‘end game,’ these sessions emphasize the need to manage one’s income in retirement – given the need to consider longevity, inflation, and market risks.

“AARP has developed the 10 steps materials to help near-retirees begin the conversation around retirement income and planning,” said AARP Hawaii State President Gerry Silva. “Research has shown that more people are more likely to take action and change their behaviors when presented with simple, straightforward ‘steps’ and tools.”

The public is invited to register for any of the following workshops and webinars:

• Saturday, June 22 (9 a.m. – noon) – Ward Warehouse, Kakaako Room - http://aarp.cvent.com/readyforretirementhnl

• Tuesday, July 16 (12 – 12:45 p.m.) – Webinar on Medicare 101 - http://aarp.cvent.com/hiaarpwebinar

• Friday, July 19 (12 – 12:45 p.m.) – Webinar on Top Social Security Questions of 2013 - http://aarp.cvent.com/hiaarpwebinar

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people 50+ with 148,000 members in Hawaii. We fight on issues that matter to Hawaii’s families – including the high cost of long-term care and access to affordable, quality health care for all generations; provide tools needed to save for retirement and protect assets; and serve as a reliable information source on issues critical to older Americans.