>
Skip Navigation Skip to Sitemap
VyStar Credit Union
  • Products & Services
    • Service Strategies
    • Guided Wealth Portfolios
    • Retirement Planning
    • Comprehensive Financial Planning
    • IRAs
    • Mutual Funds
    • Tax-Deferred Annuities
    • College Savings Plans
    • Estate Planning
  • News
    • Calendar
    • Webinars
    • Retirement Coaching
    • 2020 Key Numbers
  • Tools & Resources
    • Financial Planning Tools
    • Estate Planning Tools
    • Retirement Planning Tools
    • Long-Term Care Planning Tools
    • Women Investors
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Retirement Plan Distributions Education Center
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Request an Appointment
  • Account View
  • VyStarcu.org
  • Products & Services
    • Service Strategies
    • Guided Wealth Portfolios
    • Retirement Planning
    • Comprehensive Financial Planning
    • IRAs
    • Mutual Funds
    • Tax-Deferred Annuities
    • College Savings Plans
    • Estate Planning
  • News
    • Calendar
    • Webinars
    • Retirement Coaching
    • 2020 Key Numbers
  • Tools & Resources
    • Financial Planning Tools
    • Estate Planning Tools
    • Retirement Planning Tools
    • Long-Term Care Planning Tools
    • Women Investors
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Retirement Plan Distributions Education Center
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Request an Appointment
  • Account View
  • VyStarcu.org
Home > Tools & Resources > Retirement Planning Tools

Retirement Planning Tools

Weekly Market Performance – Improving Economic Conditions

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:01:02 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 9, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities The major United States markets were mostly higher this week. The Nasdaq Composite was the best performing index while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained … Continue reading →


A Goldilocks First Quarter Has Bulls Smiling

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 15:58:13 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 9, 2021 Stocks have kicked off the year in a strong fashion, and history shows this may give reason to be optimistic for the rest of the year. After a solid—but certainly turbulent—year in 2020, the … Continue reading →


Are We In A Goldilocks Range For Returns? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:58:08 +0000

Friday, April 9, 2021 Top Story Was the first quarter the sweet spot for returns? The S&P 500 Index rose 5.8% in the first quarter, and historically this has been in the “Goldilocks” range of returns that isn’t too hot, … Continue reading →


Global Growth Expectations on the Rise

Published: Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:58:44 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, April 8, 2021 Before the pandemic we had begun to warm up to international stocks. Valuations relative to the U.S. markets had become increasingly attractive after a long stretch of outperformance by U.S. stocks compared with those … Continue reading →


Global GDP Forecasts On The Rise | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:58:58 +0000

Thursday, April 8, 2021 Top Story Global GDP forecasts are on the rise, led by the U.S. A look at consensus expectations for economic growth around the world supports our preference for U.S. over developed international equities. Gross domestic product … Continue reading →


LPL Market Signals: Raising Economic and Market Forecasts…Again

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 16:58:56 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, April 7, 2021 On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder and Asset Allocation Strategist Barry Gilbert update forecasts based on how the economy’s recovery from the pandemic, aided by vaccine distribution, massive stimulus, and … Continue reading →


Best Business Conditions of the 21st Century

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:58:18 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The United States, and the rest of the world, are looking to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, and business conditions may already have put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror—at least according to … Continue reading →


Record Surge In PMI Surveys | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:58:43 +0000

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Top Story Record surge in Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys U.S. businesses are looking to escape from underneath the shadow of COVID-19, and the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys may be suggesting … Continue reading →


Revisiting Our Treasury Yield Forecast

Published: Tue, 06 Apr 2021 15:58:18 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Coming into this year, we expected longer-maturity U.S. Treasury yields to rise, consistent with improving economic growth dynamics. That is indeed what we have seen, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury higher by … Continue reading →


Treasury Yield Forecast Changes | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:58:53 +0000

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Top Story Raising Economic And Market Forecasts…Again On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder and Asset Allocation Strategist Barry Gilbert update forecasts based on how the economy’s recovery from the pandemic, aided by … Continue reading →


Raising Forecasts Again: Learn Why | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 05 Apr 2021 14:58:22 +0000

Monday, April 5, 2021 Top Story Raising Forecasts…Again LPL Research revises previous forecasts to better reflect the growing optimism of an economy on the rebound in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available at 1 p.m. ET. Daily Insights U.S. stocks … Continue reading →


Weekly Market Performance – Markets Steady Into April

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:16:37 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, April 1, 2021 Index Performance U.S. and International Equities The major United States and international markets were higher this week. The Nasdaq Composite was the best performing index while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a fraction. … Continue reading →


March Market Insights – The Industrials Emerge

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:58:52 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 1, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities This month provided positive results for the U.S. major market indexes. The top performer was the Dow Jones Industrial Average, returning over 7% for the … Continue reading →


Expect Inflation to be Contained Long Term—No Foolin’

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:59:02 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, April 1, 2021 It’s tempting to predict runaway 1970s inflation as an April Fools’ Day joke. But at the risk of upsetting our friends in the compliance department, we’ll shoot straight here. With that important disclaimer out … Continue reading →


Straight Talk About Inflation | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:58:24 +0000

Thursday, April 1, 2021 Top Story Expect contained inflation long term It’s tempting to predict runaway 1970s inflation as an April Fools’ Day joke, but we don’t want to upset our friends in the compliance department, so we shoot straight … Continue reading →


Stocks and Inflation

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:58:33 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 As we continue LPL Research’s Inflation Week, today we will examine how stocks have historically done at different inflation levels. For more color on our views on inflation, please read here and here, and … Continue reading →


Gallon-sized Improvement in Employment | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:58:00 +0000

Wednesday, March 30, 2021 Top Story Gallon-sized Improvement in Employment In the latest LPL Street View, Research Chief Investment Officer, Burt White, makes the case that even though unemployment claims are at their lowest level since the pandemic started, we … Continue reading →


Stocks Love April

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Mark Twain What more can we say other than few months have been kinder to stocks lately than the month of April. In fact, it was … Continue reading →


LPL Market Signals: Let’s Talk About Inflation

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 06:00:36 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Is higher inflation on the way? This is the question nearly everyone is asking, and this week the LPL Strategists will explain why the answer is likely no, contrary to what so many expect. … Continue reading →


Bondholders’ Old Foe is Back

Published: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 15:58:02 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Inflation is coming and, according to certain market-based inflation metrics, markets are expecting sustained inflation rates not seen since the late 2000s, although likely still at manageable levels. Inflation, which captures price increases in … Continue reading →


Is High inflation On The Way? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 14:58:36 +0000

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Top Story Let’s Talk About Inflation LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder examine inflation concerns and explain why they think any increases in inflation will most likely be fleeting in … Continue reading →


A Humble Victory Lap

Published: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:58:50 +0000

Market Blog Monday, March 29, 2021 It has been a little over a year since the S&P 500 Index bottomed on March 23, 2020, and it was certainly an eventful year, to say the least. It’s also been one year … Continue reading →


Inflation Upticks Likely Transitory | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:00:27 +0000

Monday, March 29, 2021 Top Story Are We on the Brink of an Inflation Crisis? LPL Research explains why any upticks in inflation will ultimately prove transitory in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available at 1 p.m. ET. Daily Insights … Continue reading →


Weekly Market Performance – Stocks Mixed While Treasuries Recover

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:58:00 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 26, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities Major United States markets were mixed this week. U.S. small caps (Russell 2000 Index) have been the worst performing index for two straight weeks while … Continue reading →


Is 8% GDP Good for Stocks? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:00:27 +0000

Friday, March 26, 2021 Daily Insights US stocks mixed as S&P 500 Index looks to avoid a second straight weekly decline; Nasdaq set to underperform The Federal Reserve announced that banks that clear the next round of stress tests will … Continue reading →


Why Big GDP Prints Aren’t Always Good For Stocks

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:00:57 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 26, 2021 Our friends at Goldman Sachs recently announced a 2021 growth target for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 8% (Q4/Q4). Should this happen, it would be the biggest annual increase in GDP since 1951. Of … Continue reading →


The Big Winner of the Past Year: Commodities

Published: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 15:58:47 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, March 25, 2021 It has been just over a year since the S&P 500 Index bottomed on March 23, 2020, and while global stock markets have provided historic returns since the low, the biggest winners come from … Continue reading →


Commodities the Biggest Winners Since the Low | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:59:11 +0000

Thursday, March 25, 2021 Top Story Commodities the biggest winners since the low. While stock markets have posted solid returns since the S&P 500 Index bottomed in March 2020, commodity markets have been on an absolute tear as economy activity … Continue reading →


LPL Market Signals: The Bull Market Turns One

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 17:24:45 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 24, 2021 A year ago this week the stock market bottomed and thus ended one of the most vicious bear markets of all-time. In our recent Market Signals video, LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick … Continue reading →


High Frequency Data: One Year After Lockdown

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:59:32 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, March 24, 2021 It has now been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns were implemented in the United States, with California having implemented the first stay-at-home order on March 19, 2020. … Continue reading →


High Frequency Data One Year After Lockdown | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:03:47 +0000

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Top Story High frequency data one year after lockdown. It’s been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in the United States, when California put in place the first stay-at-home orders … Continue reading →


Corporate Credit Markets Have Sold Off This Year. A Harbinger of Things to Come?

Published: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:59:47 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, March 23, 2023 While most market participants have been (rightly) focusing on the sell-off in the Treasury markets this year, U.S. corporate credit markets have sold off as well. Corporate credit markets, as defined by the Bloomberg … Continue reading →


The Bull Market Turns One | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:00:06 +0000

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 Top Story The Bull Market Turns One On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder consider what could be in store for stocks in year two of the … Continue reading →


Bull Market-Year Two | Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:00:22 +0000

Monday, March 22, 2021 Top Story The Second Year Of The Bull Market Begins LPL Research discuss the end of the bear market and the trends of a bull market in year two in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available … Continue reading →


Weekly Market Performance – Markets Reverse Course

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:10:29 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 19, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities All major United States markets declined this week. U.S. small caps (Russell 2000 Index) were last week’s best performing index. This week, they reversed course … Continue reading →


Leading Indicators Remain Stubbornly Tepid

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:00:42 +0000

Economic Blog Friday, March 19, 2021 In almost every direction we turn, we see optimism mounting over a mid-2021 economic reacceleration. Unfortunately, it seems we will have to wait at least another month for that optimism to make their way … Continue reading →


The Day After | Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:18:18 +0000

Friday, March 19, 2021 Top Story The day after Yields soared, with the 10-year yield closing at 1.72%, its highest level in 14 months, with the 10-year on pace to be up eight consecutive weeks. Worries that the Federal Reserve … Continue reading →


LPL Market Signals: 4 Things That Really Matter For Stocks in 2021

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 17:04:08 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, March 18, 2021 March is here and with it comes some Madness! In our recent Market Signals video, LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder discuss four things that matter the most … Continue reading →


Solid Global Growth Outlook but Multi-Speed

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:59:43 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, March 18, 2021 Last week we reviewed updated global economic growth forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighting the significant increase in their gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the United States this … Continue reading →


No Surprises From The Fed | Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:00:25 +0000

Thursday, March 18, 2021 Top Story The Federal Reserve (Fed) wrapped up its two-day meeting There were no surprises as the Fed upgraded growth and inflation expectations. Monetary policy was left unchanged with the Fed funds target rate remaining at … Continue reading →


grandfather hugging granddaughter

Retirement planning involves an analysis of the various choices you can make today to help provide for your financial future.

To make appropriate choices, you need to predict—as well as you can—your future economic circumstances. You’ll also need to establish your post-retirement goals. When you’ve determined how much of an income stream you’ll probably require in the future, you’ll be in a position to make wise choices now about income, savings, investments and other employer-sponsored retirement plans.

A financial advisor can help you develop an overall strategy for approaching your financial goals that not only anticipates what you’ll need to do to pursue them, but that remains flexible enough to accommodate your evolving financial needs.

a 5-year countdown to retirement banner

Five years before they retire, older workers should start focusing seriously on the big changes ahead, says Emily Guy Birkin, in her book, The 5 Years Before You Retire: Retirement Planning When You Need It the Most.

In those last few years, you can get a lot done. Here is a countdown of some of the tasks needed to prepare for retirement.

Five Years To Go...

Estimate—Consider your health and family history to estimate your lifespan and to determine how long your retirement funds need to last.

Calculate—Add up your monthly retirement income (without windfalls or inheritances) from:

Build up—Collect every penny of an employer’s 401(k) match; in addition, consider increasing your retirement savings by at least one percent.

Anticipate—Use online retirement calculators to see if your savings and income will last for your projected lifespan; take inflation into account.

Insure—Consider disability insurance if the inability to work could upend your plans.

Four Years To Go...

Budget—Itemize an entire year’s spending to create your retirement budget. Include out-of-pocket medical costs, long-term care, taxes and inflation.

Pay down—Retire all debt possible, including mortgages, vehicles, credit card balances and other loans.

Plan—Think about downsizing. If you’re going to stay put for now, research fallback options for the future.

Insure—Price long-term care insurance and weigh pros and cons. If someone depends on your income, consider purchasing life insurance.

Consult—Talk to your financial advisor for help on running your numbers on sophisticated planning software, spot planning gaps and refine your investment strategy.

Three Years To Go...

Catch up—Complete postponed home-maintenance tasks. If possible, get ahead of anticipated repairs and replacements.

Decide—Contact the Social Security Administration to learn about taking benefits earlier rather than later, and choose when you’ll claim your benefits.

Study—Learn all you can about converting savings to an income stream; and plan how you’ll withdraw your funds, including how to meet required minimum distributions. Supplement—If money will be tight, find a second source of income. For example, take in a boarder or start a business on the side.

Assess—Decide the bare minimum you need for a comfortable retirement. Can you fill any income gaps or should you adopt a longer horizon?

Two Years To Go...

Test—Live on your retirement budget to see where it needs adjusting. Plan—Write a will and consider establishing a trust. File healthcare directives and appoint a legal power of attorney. Disconnect—Tell adult children, lovingly, that they’re on their own financially. Regroup—If you can’t afford to retire, then don’t, says Birken. Run your worst-case scenario with a financial planner and work longer, if possible. Delay collecting Social Security and cut spending to the bone.

One Year To Go...

Decide—Contact the Social Security Administration to learn about taking benefits earlier rather than later, and choose when you’ll claim your benefits.

Replace—If you can afford to, consider buying new Sign up—Research Medicare and supplemental medical plans and enroll in Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

Consult—Seek professional help before withdrawing income from your retirement portfolio.

Retirement Savings Multi-Scenario Calculator
Retirement Savings Multi-Scenario Calculator
Plan Now
Advanced Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
Advanced Roth IRA Conversion Calculator
Project Taxes
Traditional vs. Roth IRA Calculator
Traditional vs. Roth IRA Calculator
Start Analysis
Check the background of investment professionals associated with this site on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Tools & Resources
  • Financial Planning Tools
  • Estate Planning Tools
  • Retirement Planning Tools
  • Long-Term Care Planning Tools
  • Women Investors
  • Social Security Benefits
  • Retirement Plan Distributions Education Center
  • Request for Appointment
Retirement Income Calculator
Retirement Income Calculator
Calculate Income
Retirement Savings Calculator
Retirement Savings Calculator
Calculate Savings
  • Products & Services
    • Service Strategies
    • Guided Wealth Portfolios
    • Retirement Planning
    • Comprehensive Financial Planning
    • IRAs
    • Mutual Funds
    • Tax-Deferred Annuities
    • College Savings Plans
    • Estate Planning
  • Tools & Resources
    • Financial Planning Tools
    • Estate Planning Tools
    • Retirement Planning Tools
    • Long-Term Care Planning Tools
    • Women Investors
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Retirement Plan Distributions Education Center
  • News
    • Calendar
    • Webinars
    • Retirement Coaching
    • 2020 Key Numbers
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Request an Appointment

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. VyStar Credit Union and VyStar Investment Services are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using VyStar Investment Services and may also be employees of VyStar Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, VyStar Credit Union or VyStar Investment Services.  Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
 

Not insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency  Not Credit Union Guaranteed Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations  May Lose Value
 


LPL Financial Registered Representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of all 50 United States. The services offered within this site are available through our U.S. Investment Representatives, LPL Financials U.S. Investment Representatives may only conduct business with residents of the states for which they are properly registered. Please note that not all investments and services mentioned are available in every state.

Copyright 2006-2018 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

VyStar Investments Services
76 S. Laura Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Telephone: (904) 908-2495
Fax: (904) 908-2873
  • Like our page on Facebook
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap