The AARP Retirement Survival Guide: How to Make Smart Financial Decisions in Good Times and Bad

“I promise you this: if you have never invested, never read an investment book, or never worked with a financial adviser, you will not be left behind. No matter who you are or what steps you have or have not taken up to this point, there is always something you can do to improve your situation.” – Julie Jason, from the Introduction

Bank bailouts. Ponzi schemes. Plunging financial markets. Given today’s dire headlines, planning a secure retirement has become a more crtical task than ever.

Now, for Americans seeking safety and stability in a time of wrenching economic change, comes investment educator Julie Jason with this no-nonsense guide offering time-tested, rock-solid retirement advice for people of every income level. In addition to showing those on the verge of retirement how to create their own “personal pension,” Jason deftly guides prospective retirees through the otherwise bewildering process of evaluating their needs, anticipating future expenses (and managing current ones), and converting present assets into future retirement income. To achieve this goal, she assembles—and shares with the reader—an entire tool kit of self-assessments, tables, checklists, and essential questions.

Winner of the International Book Award and one of Booklist's Top Ten Business Books!

“A fast read on a difficult-to-follow subject. In these tougher times, a guide like this becomes an even more invaluable tool.” —Jonathan Dahl, Editor in Chief, SmartMoney

“Hard-working Americans need a road map through today's bewildering financial world. From the basics of financial planning to understanding how to secure a dignified retirement, Julie Jason has provided a financial GPS for attaining your goals.”
—Joseph Borg, Director, Alabama Securities Commission

“Whether you’re a do-it-yourself investor or want a professional to help you, The AARP
Retirement Survival Guide spells out what you need to consider and understand to make informed retirement-income planning decisions.” —Betty Meredith, InFRE Retirement Resource Center

"The AARP brand works extraordinarily well in providing valuable and objective information that readers can put to good use immediately...Case in point: author...and investment counsel Jason thoroughly, accurately reviews the state of retirement 2009 with full consideration of our current economy. That state includes a solid grounding in the basics...What’s unusual is her factual analysis of CDs (featuring a checklist), reverse mortgages, annuities in all shapes and forms (e.g., immediate, equity-indexed, fixed), and guaranteed minimum benefits (in the forms of withdrawal and income benefits). In fact, it’s well worth the book’s cover price to delve into these somewhat arcane financial instruments if only because the author posits, in plain English, the ups and downs...If that isn’t clear enough, she creates a fictional case study with numbers and charts, accompanied by a straightforward assessment on ease of understanding, complexity, risks, safety, costs and taxes, and the salesperson’s motivation. That approach characterizes all of the chapters, whether on tax-deferred accounts or sales scams to avoid. Resources and research cinch the deal to consider this top of the borrower’s pile." —Booklist