Chapter 16 Experienced Retirees. The good news is that Americans are living longer. But the Fountain of Youth has not yet been discovered, so we are not going to live forever. At some point, retirees need to have their financial house in order for that inevitable time when someone else will be handling their affairs, either while they are still around or after they leave this great Earth. | Chapter 161 Experienced Retirees Sure I m for helping the elderly. I m going to be old myself some day. Lillian Carter at age 85 T he good news is that Americans are living longer. But the Fountain of Youth has not yet been discovered so we are not going to live forever. At some point retirees need to have their financial house in order for that inevitable time when someone else will be handling their affairs either while they are still around or after they leave this great Earth. According to the Department of the Treasury the average life expectancy of a 65-year-old is 86 which is about 10 years more than in 1940. Many diseases are being diagnosed earlier and treated more effectively. In addition today s seniors are more health-conscious. They eat better get more exercise and smoke less than prior generations. The longevity trend is so strong that the new life insurance tables proposed by the Society of Actuaries go out to 120 years. This chapter focuses on two critical actions that need to be taken sometime during retirement. First retirees need to make Copyirght 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Click Here for Terms of Use. 268 Experienced Retirees sure all of their financial paperwork is in order. Increased longevity is great news but it is not an excuse to put off the task of preparing a will writing and funding trusts ensuring the correct beneficiaries are listed on insurance policies and retirement accounts and most important making a list of where everything is and important people to contact in the event of an emergency. The second critical issue is to appoint a personal helper. This is the family member or friend who will take over the responsibilities of your financial life in the event you become incapacitated and will act as the executor of your estate at death. Chose a competent level-headed financially responsible adult. This can be a sibling a close relative a trusted friend or a professional trustee who is hired to assist you and your family
