There are many critical decisions that individuals must make as they approach retirement, as well as ongoing decisions for the retirement years. For many people, retirement looks very different than it did for their parent's generation-people are living longer and are less likely to be able to rely on pensions to fund their retirement goals. Now, more than ever, individuals must closely examine their future financial and health care needs and determine how to best plan for these needs while protecting their financial well-being.

This course is intended to help insurance and financial professionals understand and introduce retirement planning options to clients. Considerations and concerns include the need for supplemental income, future health care needs, and the potential need for long-term care.

Upon conclusion of this course, the student will:

• understand the effect that claiming Social Security retirement benefits early, at full retirement age, and beyond full retirement age has on the benefit amount
• describe how distributions can be taken at retirement from defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans and the factors to consider when choosing a distribution option
• determine when clients might benefit from annuities, including DIAs and QLACs, and for what needs annuities are suitable
• identify how life insurance cash values can be used to supplement retirement income
• understand the choices available, and issues to consider when choosing Medicare options
• understand the different methods that clients can use to pay for long-term care

Life and Health producers, financial advisors