Ask Jean Thursday: Readying for Retirement
“I am 56, my husband is 54. We would like to retire in the next 5-10 years. We want to find a financial or retirement advisor in our area but don’t know how to begin to find someone. What’s the best way to go about this, and what qualities should I be looking for?”
-Susan, Maryland
Often times the best way to start looking for a financial or retirement advisor is as easy as picking up the phone and calling a close friend or family member. “Start by asking your friends, family and colleagues which advisor they trust and use,” suggests retirement expert and author of “Retire in a Weekend,” Bill Losey.
If you’re not comfortable with letting your friends and family in on the fact that you’re looking for financial help, I suggest starting your search on the Certified Financial Planner website or the site of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), the fee-only planning association. On these sites, you’ll be able to search More…