RetireUSA Web Coming soon

We are now in the process of creating the new national database for RetireUSA.net, a big expansion from our Oregon retirement website.

RetireUSA.net will feature information about retirement communities in all 50 US States so you can browse retirement options all over the country. Whether you are looking to retire or helping to find a great place for others we'd like to be your source for Retirement information.

Here at the blog we'll continue to feature articles and links to help you with retirement planning. Retirement offers wonderful opportunities but also some complex financial and lifestyle decisions. Here, we'll try to make that process easier.

Roseburg Oregon Retirement

Our Oregon Retirement website has detailed information from all over Oregon. For example if you are interested in Roseburg Oregon Retirement communities we list several with links and information about each of them. As we expand the site you'll find more details about all the major retirement areas in the USA.

Roseburg is a cozy and comfortable city in Southern Oregon with a mild climate, rich history, and some amazing outdoor adventures within a short drive. There's easy access to the spectacular Oregon Coast about 90 minutes to the west as well as the incomparable Umpqua River Valley to the east. The Rogue Umpqua National Scenic Byways heads up through beautiful waterfalls, past Diamond Lake near Crater Lake National Park, and down along the Rogue River into the Medford Oregon area.

More about Roseburg

Retirement - Common Financial Mistakes

Check out this reprint of a USA Today Article that discussed several common mistakes with retirement finances.

The financial advice regarding retirement issues in finance notes how important it is to *diversify* your portfolio, how you should generally take full advantage of tax free and company subsidized opportunities, and other great tips.

Retirement and Social Security - timing can be everything

Retirement financing is one of the most important considerations for prospective retirees, and for many Social Security is a key component of the money they will expect to get during the retirement years. Business Week offers some excellent advice on how to time your social security for maximum benefit.

Strategic concern for timing of your social security can make a difference in the total payout and benefit to you. Also, be sure to factor in other time critical financial concerns such as pensions, annuities, and IRAs.

One grim but simple question to ask yourself is "how is my health?". If you are very healthy and statistics indicate you'll live longer than the average American, you'll want to factor that into your retirement finance calculations. Some pensions and social security are based on data from "average" people in those groups. If you have reason to believe you'll be living a lot longer or shorter than average it may impact your retirement financial strategies.

West Virginia Retirement

Although West Virginia does not usually spring to mind as the retirement capital of the country, it is one of only five US States that have set up a certification program for retirement communities in the state.

This Retire in West Virginia state website offers free literature by mail and information about West Virginia's new certification program. The state has designated these six communities as having great retirement potential:

Beckley
Bluefield
Greater Morgantown
Lewis County
Nicholas County
Summers County

West Virginia's designation comes after an application process that ensures community viability as a retirement destination:

Designated Retirement Communities, or DRCs, are communities that have undergone a rigorous 12-point application process that ensures that the community does indeed provide the resources and amenities required to be considered as a viable retirement destination.

Financial Planning for Retirement

Financial planning is not always the easiest thing to do and understand. However, when considering retirement, it is a must. Retirees and future retirees have a multitude of resources to access to build their plan. One option that is really set up for retirement is a reversed mortgage. Those retired folks who want to investigate this opportunity, should make sure you have a reputable person to work with. Our local YMCA had a workshop for retired people who wanted to learn more about reverse mortgages. The presenter was a woman who had a great deal of knowledge and told us she got into the business because her mother was retired with very little income, and this option was her ticket to financial stability and a joyful retirement. The website for this mortgage broker is www.golfsavingsbank.com/loanofficers/triciasmith.htm The federal government will also send you a free information packet, just go to www.financialfreedom.com

What I Am Going To Do When I Retire

I often ask people why they chose the retirement community that they did. One woman told me it was because Ashland is a town that loves Art. Now this woman retired from academics, but she aways told herself "when I retire I am going to pursue my passion of art". She is now retired, and living in her favorite retirement community, and is painting away! Her website www.cafepress.com/rdunndalton shows how a retiree can have fun and make some extra retirement dollars at the same time. Retirement truly is the time to explore new ways to live and living in a retirement community that supports your interests is an important factor in making that decision

Choosing the Retirement Location

Retirement communities can also mean the geographical location that one wants to live in. And, then the question;how do I choose where I want to retire? One way to search out that retirement location is to do what a retired couple from South Dakota is doing. They told me that they were considering retiring in Ashland, but wanted to really "feel" the town. So, what they did is to find a small, furnished place to rent for a couple of months to see it this community fits all their retirement needs. They found a cottage on www.ashlandextendedstay.com I know that www.vrbo.com is also a good site to find temporary houseing. I think the exploration of the perfect retirement location can be an adventure in its self. Happy hunting, fellow retirees.

Karen

Affordable Retirement Communities

When we retire, we always have to consider our budget. My aunt, who lives on social security choose a wonderful retirement apartment in Ashland. It is for people who are retired on a small budget, and is subsidized by the government. It offers safety, social contact, and is kept up beautifully. When we are older and retired, we still deserve to live in a comfortable place. You could look at http://www.senioraffordablehousing.org/donald_lewis for a list of such places.

Karen

Retirement Community University?

There's a great list at AARP's website of Retirement Communities that are associated with colleges and universities around the USA. AARP lists 23 retirement communities that appear to be connected to colleges in several states.