Your Best Retirement: Making It About What Matters Most to You
When people think of financial advisors and wealth managers, it’s sometimes assumed that the first question we answer is how to invest your money. After all, isn’t that what we’re supposed to do as financial guides: Help our clients grow their assets as efficiently as possible to fund their major financial goals?
While the above is certainly true, it often surprises people to learn that the first and most important question we ask our clients has less to do with “how much?” and more to do with “why?” On the home page of Quantum’s website it says: “Delivering financial strategies for clients to thrive.” When you think about it, “thriving” has to do with so much more than the balances in your retirement accounts. It has to do with reaching satisfaction, with achievement—with engaging meaningfully with the ideas and people that matter most in your life. In fact, the longest study of human development conducted by Harvard Medical School found that “The people who were happiest, who stayed healthiest as they grew old, and who lived the longest were the people who had the warmest connections with other people.[1]” That’s why some of the most important questions we ask clients and prospective clients center on the concepts of meaning, priority, purpose, and passion. And that is especially true when working to develop a plan for retirement.
Understanding what is most important to you is an essential first step to developing a viable strategy for transitioning to retirement, which can be both an exciting and stressful time. To help determine what is most important for you, here are three questions you might consider.
The meaning of success is unique to each person, and a successful retirement is no exception. What would success look like for you?
What would give you the greatest sense of meaning and accomplishment in retirement?
What organizations, relationships, and activities align most closely with your core values? This may include activities such as volunteering, spending more time with grandchildren, or picking up a new hobby.
Once you have answered these questions, you will have considered carefully what your highest priorities are, and what you may want your retirement to look like. A Quantum advisor can help turn your answers to the questions above into your unique financial plan that reflects a retirement based on what matters most to you. After all, not all goals have the same timeline. Some goals may be for a period immediately after retirement; some may be a few years out; and some may reach far into the future—possibly even beyond our lifespan. A customized financial plan that matches your goals to the appropriate investment solutions can help create a sense of security around your spending needs in retirement, while also providing growth to preserve your purchasing power in the future. A clear financial plan and investment strategy can give you peace of mind that you will have a long and fulfilling retirement.
At Quantum, our fiduciary duty is to place our client’s interest first, and by combining our expertise with collaborative guidance, our clients can spend more time doing what they love most. To learn more, click here to read our article, “How to Be Financially Confident in 2023.”
DISCLOSURE: Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC (“Quantum”) is an SEC registered investment adviser with its principal place of business in the State of California. Quantum may only transact business in those states in which it is notice filed or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from notice filing requirements. The article is for educational purposes only; and contains the opinions of the author, which are subject to change, and should not be considered or interpreted as a recommendation to participate in any particular trading strategy or deemed to provide investment recommendations, and it should not be relied on as such. Any subsequent, direct communication by Quantum with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides.
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Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. The Information was based on sources we deem to be reliable, but we make no representations as to its accuracy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers of this information should consult their own financial advisor, lawyer, accountant, or other advisor before making any financial decision.
