Most people are excited to see 2020 in the rearview mirror; we have experienced trials and tribulations that we never would have imagined at this time last year. But before we flip the last page on our calendars, it is important to reflect on where we have been and focus on where we may be going.

December is a flurry of tying up loose ends and preparing and planning for the next year. It is an important time of year; a time to reflect on the progress and lessons of the past 11 months and a time to look towards a fresh start. A time to make a conscious effort to do things differently.

I would ask you to consider the following questions as you wrap up 2020: did you make progress towards your retirement this year? Do you know how to measure progress?  If not, what are you going to do differently next year?

Most people do not know if they are on the path to true financial freedom and security. They may know their net worth but unless they have gone through a planning process that is comprehensively geared towards retirement, and have a way to monitor and track progress, many are moving blindly towards an unclear destination.  

At Pathfinder, we GUIDE YOU FORWARD – our planning process helps our clients define and quantify their financial goals and then we build and manage their plan to help make that future a reality.

We start by taking clients through a discovery process that will help them identify realistic objectives and timelines. We educate clients on options available and what fits them across their financial life, including investment, insurance, estate, and tax planning.  We analyze their resources available to fund these goals, which certainly include their investment portfolio, but also considers other income sources like rental income, pensions, and social security.  We input data and model their future providing benchmarks and milestones of where they should be along the way.  We provide an action plan that gives practical steps for progress and staying on track. We also test your financial plan against the six major retirement risks, to help ensure a high probability of success. Unsure if your portfolio will stand up against these six risks? Shoot us an email at info@pathfinderwc.com for our write up on these retirement derailers. 

We get it – 2020 was anything but ordinary and it may not seem like the right time to focus on retirement. But the thing about time, is that it keeps ticking. You cannot wait for a perfect time to start planning.  We could not have predicted what was going to happen this year, and we cannot predict what is going to happen next year. But with a plan in place, you will know that you are moving forward.

Will 2021 be the year you finally take your retirement planning serious? I hope that getting serious is not a New Year’s resolution that gets tossed aside by mid-January.  Going through our retirement planning process is a significant life event and it will motivate and empower you to achieve your goals. Are you ready to get on the path? Give us a call. We are here to guide you forward.