What steps are you taking to close your retirement savings gap?

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AARP Closing the Savings Gap^TM is a podcast series hosted by AARP Financial Ambassador Jean Chatzky. We’re talking to real women as they work to close the financial gap that may be holding them back in saving for retirement. We help them face and conquer common financial roadblocks like debt, overspending or competing priorities.  Each woman is matched with a financial planner who is taking them by the hand and helping them make the changes they need to retire with confidence, so that you can do the same.

Let us hear from you! What steps are you taking to close your retirement savings gap?

For current episodes, please check back here each week or find us at www.aarp.org/closingthegap.

Episode 1: Jean Chatzky focuses on budgeting as the key to paying off debt and building an emergency fund

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Not sure how to start a conversation with a financial planner? With a little prep-work, you’ll be prepared for interviewing a financial advisor. AARP’s Interview An Advisor tool can help you choose the right person to assist you in reaching your goals on terms you understand and accept.  

Benefits of using Interview An Advisor:

• Walks you through the questions you should ask a financial advisor before hiring one
• Helps your frame the discussion and get answers to important question about qualifications, services, compensation and your best interests. With a little prep-work, you’ll be prepared for interviewing a financial advisor. What steps are you taking to close your retirement savings gap?

What steps are you taking to close your retirement savings gap?

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Jean Chatzky explores how to manage our finances when a relationship or marriage ends:

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Also, check out our retirement calculator and enter in your data to find out how much money you’ll need to retire when and how you want.

https://www.aarp.org/work/retirement-planning/retirement_calculator.html

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Episode 3: A small business owner and mom needs help achieving her retirement savings goals:

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How's everyone enjoying the AARP Closing the Savings Gap^TM podcast series so far? 

Let us hear from you! What steps are you taking to close your retirement savings gap?

[SandraB622802]

Have not figured it out yet. Retiring in 1 month and still can't figure out what to do with the 150,000 dollars I have in Transamerica and Valic. I started saving late at 40 and now at 65 and about to retire, have no clue what to do. 

Transamerica was the best on investments and returns....Valic sucked and my money I put in is still the same amount I had 10 years ago and has gone nowhere. Just found out I have over 100,000 in a pension at my present job and with no money in the bank, I will have to take a lump sum on this and pay IRS 20 percent because If I don't, I will only have social security and no extra money to go along with that to pay my monthly bills like food and rent. Has anybody here ever taken a lump sum for a pension and paid IRS and used the money after putting it in the bank, or am I the only one thinking along these lines?

[SandraB622802]

I had 3 financial advisors telling me the same thing for my 3 portfolios and it was scary and confusing. I had no clue what to do or who to believe.

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Budgeting your finances can make a big difference when it comes to saving and planning for retirement:

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A woman who plans to work into her 70s reviews life and disability insurance options as a strategy to secure her financial future. How long do you plan to work?