January 14, 2011

To get the most from your retirement years, there are some essential, basic plans that should be achieved:

1. Financial Plan

The Financial Planning process analyzes your overall financial position, e.g., incomes, assets, liabilities, investments and life insurance, and with assumptions about the rates of inflation and return, projects your finances into future years. You will be able to vary some of the factors such as sale of your residence, sale of other real estate etc., and see the impacts on your income stream.

Another benefit of Financial Planning is to obtain an independent review of your investments usually consisting of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Focus must be given to your risk allocation in the form of growth versus income (conservative). Many experts advise that the older we become, the more conservative our investment mix should be. Witness the 65% – 70% decline in the NASDAQ market during 2000 – 2001. How would that have impacted you had 50% of your portfolio been allocated to high growth technology stocks?

You need the services of a professional Financial Planner for your Financial Plan. You should ask for a reference from someone whom you trust preferably a CPA or Attorney. Often, a fee-only Financial Planner is recommended for the most likely independent, objective analysis and recommendations. Some planners are employed directly by a brokerage/investment/insurance firm. These firms may not charge directly for the Financial Plan, but their objectivity may be somewhat questionable. With the fee-only, you pay for the plan (amount depends on complexity) but their objectivity is likely the best. Be sure to contact some of their previous clients for reference.

The Financial Planning process will assist you with other decisions you’re likely to be dealing with such as relocation, house/condo, lifestyle, etc.

2. Estate Plan

Another key step for retirement planning is to ensure that you have a current Estate Plan.

With the 2001 Tax Law, individuals can pass $1million (exclusion) to their heirs free of federal taxes beginning in 2002. Also, the top tax rate decreases to 50 percent from the 2001 level of 55 percent until this rate reaches 45 percent in 2007. The exclusion level increases to $1.5 million in 2004, $2 million 2006 and $3.5 million in 2009.

In spite of these plans, for the next several years, federal estate taxes can significantly reduce the net estate proceeds for your spouse and loved ones. You should note that the substantial real estate valuation increases over recent years create estate tax exposures for many of us.

The prudent action to take is to have an Estate Planning Attorney review your finances in the context of Estate Planning. This is a very complex, technical area and requires the expertise of an Attorney. The objective of Estate Planning is to see that your wishes are carried out (disposition of assets) and to minimize the tax bite via various options of the Estate Planning menu. Other parts of Estate Planning will include the implementation or update of your Will or Living Trust, an Executor of your estate, Durable Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and a Directive to Physician. These steps are advisable/necessary regardless of your estate value.

Again, ask for the name of an Estate Planning Attorney from someone whom you trust such as your CPA or Attorney. Check their references, and don’t procrastinate! If you have an Estate Plan when you relocate, have an Estate Attorney in your new state review the plan for any changes necessary for differences in state laws.

3. Relocation Decision Essentials

The relocation decision is very personal, sometimes emotional, and based largely on your future financial needs. The Financial Plan discussed above will identify your monetary needs to maintain your specified life style, e.g., remain where you are, relocate to a state with lower income taxes and general cost of living, live in a condo, rent, etc. Your retirement and projected investment incomes will also be presented so that you can compare your projected living expenses and income levels based on various assumptions. Needless to say, there are other factors that should also be considered. For example:

Proximity to family and friends•
Your current level of satisfaction where you currently reside, e.g., cost of living, climate, crime, transportation access, urbanization, etc.•
How long will you be physically capable of maintaining your current home, e.g., lawn, repairs, etc.?•
Whether you will require the cash from sale of your home to assist with your projected income needs throughout your retirement•

If you decide to relocate, establish some search criteria for your new location. Such considerations would likely include:

House versus condominium or apartment•
Assisted-living accommodations•
Attractive state income tax provisions•
Proximity to quality hospital and medical care•
Availability of university adult education•
Cultural events programs/activities•
Organizations for meeting new people•
Public transportation access•

Only you can assign the weights (importance) for each of these factors in your decision. At least, by addressing such criteria, you increase your chances of a positive, healthy result.

We strongly suggest that once you decide to relocate, rent an apartment for at least 1 – 2 months in your selected area before you sell your residence. This stay will give you an up-close and personal view of actually living there. If you decide to stay, then sell your current residence. Otherwise, return to your residence as a fallback.

Take this opportunity to review local real estate; visit colleges to learn about their offerings and senior programs/cultural events; visit the local hospital to determine their departmental strengths/weaknesses; become familiar with public transportation, and other areas of specific interest.

Comparison of crime rates between Philippines Angeles City and Clark Freeport Zone sheds light on the difference between the twin cities of Pampanga. Regular guests of Angeles City Hotels begin to migrate on base into hotels inside Clark Philippines not only for peace and quiet but peace of mind and a sense of safety and security.

It is important to many families to feel safe in a hotel in Angeles Pampanga. That is one of the main reasons that many tourists and local visitors from Manila choose to stay in a hotel in Clark Freeport Zone just outside Manila Philippines. Many tourists traveling with families and children do not like the hotels in Subic or some of the hotel in Angeles Pampanga. The resorts in Philippines Angeles City do not make guests feel comfortable and secure.

The beach resorts, leisure parks and vacation hotels in Clark Pampanga offer a unique ambience that supports a laidback relaxing lifestyle. Many visitors travel north to Clark Pampanga from Manila to unwind and relax in these resorts.

New developments from Clark Philippines that may be pertinent to businesses and investments in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone are posted on HotelClarkPhilippines web site. Clark Philippines is a fast growth economic and business city comparable to Manila Philippines.

Retirement in Philippines is an interesting investment opportunity for foreign companies. Many investors are looking for a destination near Manila that offers safety and quietness to develop residential and retirement projects and Clark Pampanga seems to be an attractive business proposition. Investment opportunities in Clark Philippines include hotel and resorts, retirement village, vacation rentals, condominiums and other residential projects, and other leisure, tourism and hospitality businesses. Land in the main zone of Clark Freeport is not easy to find and is not as cheap as before but Clark is still much more attractive compared to other investment destinations in Philippines.

For inquires and reservations, contact us here

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets http://www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com