Our Approach to Your Retirement
At Just Us Retirement, we believe that the best retirement planning is not just about the what, but the how. It’s about finding a path that’s as unique as you are, one that understands and aligns with your personal goals and concerns.
It is our belief that the world of retirement planning tends to be split into two camps: product-driven and strategy-driven. A product-driven approach is like having a collection of financial tools – investments, accounts, insurance policies – but not always clear instructions on how to use them effectively or even knowing if they are the right tools to help you accomplish your goals. This situation usually arises because many firms are only licensed to discuss products. They’re set up to sell you the tools but not always licensed and equipped to teach you how to use them in a full retirement plan.
A strategy-driven approach begins by really getting to know what you hope for and worry about in your retirement. We listen closely to understand your goals and concerns, then together, we create a clear strategy to help you achieve those goals and address your worries. This plan becomes your roadmap, highlighting where you want to go and how you’ll get there. With this foundation, we can then guide you in choosing the right tools and products to turn your retirement dreams into reality.
Partnering with certified financial planners (CFPs) is key to our approach. Unlike typical retirement planners who may only focus on select areas, CFPs bring a broad and knowledgeable perspective, covering all corners of financial planning. This means your retirement strategy is not just comprehensive—it’s tailored to you. Here at Just Us Retirement, we’re committed to ensuring you’ve got the guidance you need to not just retire, but to thrive in the years ahead.
How We Can Help
Life Insurance
Life insurance is a tool that is often misunderstood as merely a way to cover funeral costs. In truth, it’s much more than that—it’s a versatile financial vehicle that can play a significant role in your broader retirement strategy. It can be a resource that grows your money without the worry of taxes, and it can be structured to cover long-term care expenses. And when you think about the legacy you want to leave for your family, it’s more than just memories; you’re probably thinking about their financial security, too. Life insurance can help with that, ensuring your loved ones are cared for long after you’re gone. But it’s not just about family. Maybe there’s a cause or charity close to your heart. Life insurance can also be a powerful way to support these organizations, making a meaningful difference in areas that matter to you.
Long-Term Care
We understand that discussing long-term care isn’t the easiest topic—it can be daunting. However, it’s important to talk about, especially since many assume Medicare will cover long-term care costs, which it generally does not. Did you know that around 75% of people who reach the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care? It’s also a startling fact that this need is the leading cause of bankruptcy among Americans in their golden years. We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by these statistics. Instead, we’re here to help you look at all the options. Whether through a long-term care policy, a hybrid life insurance or annuity plan, exploring eligibility for Medicaid, or effective estate planning—or perhaps a mix of these—there are many ways to prepare and secure your financial health.
Estate Planning
Estate planning—it might sound fancy, but really, it’s all about making sure the things you’ve worked so hard for go to the right hands when you’re not around. Whether it’s the family home, your car, or the savings account you’ve built, these are all pieces of your story, pieces of your estate. It’s natural to want to make sure that everything you cherish ends up with those you love or the causes you’re passionate about, and that’s exactly what estate planning helps you do.. Taxes, legal fees, and court costs—they can all chip away at what you leave behind if you don’t plan ahead, and we help you do that with our partnerships with Estate Planning Attorneys, Elder Law Attorneys, and Certified Financial Planners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need life insurance?
Life insurance may be one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make. In the event of a tragedy, life insurance proceeds can help pay the bills, continue a family business, finance future needs like your children’s education, protect your spouse’s retirement plan, and much more.
How do I know what type of annuity I need?
There are many categories of annuities. They can be classified by:
- Nature of the underlying investment (fixed or variable)
- Primary purpose – accumulation or pay-out (deferred or immediate)
- Nature of pay-out commitment – fixed period, fixed amount, or lifetime
- Tax status – qualified or non-qualified
- Premium payment arrangement – single premium or flexible premium
Everyone’s situation is unique and we are happy to review your needs to help you find the type of annuity to meet your financial goals.
What is estate planning?
Believe it or not, you have an estate. Nearly everyone does. Your estate is comprised of everything you own – your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, and personal possessions.
To ensure your wishes are carried out, you need to provide instructions stating whom you want to receive something of yours, what you want them to receive, and when they are to receive it. You will, of course, want this to happen with the least amount paid in taxes, legal fees, and court costs.
That is estate planning: making a plan in advance and naming whom you want to receive the things you own after your death. However, good estate planning is much more than that.
Who needs disability income?
More than a quarter of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). It does not have to be a freak injury that prevents you from working – back injuries, cancer, heart disease, or other illnesses are the majority of the reasons for long-term absences. Are you prepared if you can’t work due to a long-term disability? The average long-term disability lasts 2.5 years; do you have the emergency savings to survive that long without an income?
Disability income insurance is a form of insurance that ensures that a disability will make working, and therefore earning money, impossible. It includes paid sick leave, short-term disability benefits, and long-term disability benefits.
Individual disability insurance offers multiple options for coverage, and a policy can be tailored to your needs. Since individual disability insurance policies are paid with after-tax dollars, you don’t pay taxes on the benefits you receive.