Archive for March, 2010

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Planning a Memorable Retirement Party

Friday, March 5th, 2010

A retirement party should be just that- a party!  After all the years of hard work and sweat the retiree has contributed, you want to plan a party that makes them feel appreciated and celebrated for what they have done, but also for who they are.  You may know the guest of honor primarily through the time they contributed at your company, but there is a lot more to them as a person; make this a celebration of not just what they have done, but who they are as well.  This is obviously primarily a celebration of the retiree’s working years, but don’t be afraid to include some touches reflecting their personal lives as well.  Here are some fun ideas to plan an easy, but memorable, retirement party.  Its all about the retiree for a few hours, and every aspect of the party should reflect that in some way.

Decorations:
Beyond what they have done and who they are, don’t forget to include aspects of where the retiree is going and what they plan on doing.  Are they retiring to Florida?  Then decorate the party with bright colors, pink flamingos, and other beach themes.  Is the retiree finally building their dream house in the mountains?  Use camping equipment and pine cones to create a festive air.  Retirement parties only happen once, so don’t be afraid to have fun with the decorations and maybe even go a little overboard.

Food:
The food should also tie into the theme of the party and reflect the guest of honor.  Maybe the first thing the retiree is planning on doing with their new-found freedom is to take that cruise in the Mediterranean.  If that’s the case, find a good Greek caterer and make sure there’s lots of Baklava.  If the retiree is most looking forward to spending their days boating, serve lots of seafood.  Or consider holding the party at the retiree’s favorite restaurant.  Don’t skimp on the quality of the food; if you’re planning the party on a tight budget, don’t give in to the temptation to save by getting cheap food.  Nothing puts a damper on a party faster.

Party Games and Entertainment:
Many people expect to toast (or roast) the retiree, but a fun variation of that is to create a Jeopardy-like game using questions based on the guest of honor.  Another great TV game show to use would be Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Some friendly competition for the attendees could be a small putt-putt course if the retiree is a golfer.  Whatever you plan, be sure to keep the retiree’s personality in mind; you want the end of the retiree’s time to be one of their best memories, not one of their most embarrassing moments.

After the party:
Whatever the retiree is going to end up doing now that their days of toiling are done, a great way to let those left behind know how to keep up with them as they head off to new adventures is through the party favors.  For the outdoors-y themed party, use wood picture frames with the retiree’s new contact information or an idea that can be incorporated into every theme is to put disposable cameras out on the tables and encourage friends or co-workers to document the party for the guest of honor themselves.

The options for themes of a retirement party are as diverse as the person you’re honoring.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match the many facets of the retiree’s life.  What is it they most look forward to doing in the future?  What are some of their greatest professional and personal accomplishments?  Every retiree has a unique story, take advantage of that uniqueness to plan a retirement party that they (and you) will never forget.

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Consider your Wallet: Taxes in Retirement

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

When considering retirement, smart consumers will take into account the tax burdens they will face in any potential location.  Living on a more static income requires planning ahead and gathering knowledge about the taxation issues that will face them in their new hometown or state.

Florida, specifically the Villages, FL, has long been a popular location for retirees, and with good reason.  A recent report by the Tax Foundation ranks Florida as number 47 when calculating local and state tax burdens.  When it comes to taxes, being ranked close to the bottom is a good thing!  Floridians pay no state income tax, which is a first consideration of many when choosing a new home state.  While the absence of state income taxes is certainly an attractive notion, one must ensure that the money saved in that area is not extracted from another source.  Some states that do not have a state income tax have very high property taxes.  This can put homeowners in a scenario in which, although their incomes are not taxed by the state, the price of home ownership increases yearly.

Florida’s property taxes are historically moderate and in recent years have been on the decline, partly thanks to legislation in the state on behalf of property owners.  Florida homeowners, such as those who have purchased homes in the Villages, Florida, are entitled to a homestead exemption on their property taxes if the home is their primary residence.  This homestead exemption allows for thousands of dollars in property value exemptions and ensures that the property tax on that residence will not increase by more than 3% in any one year.  Recently, a ballot initiative was passed in the state, doubling the homestead exemption for primary homeowners to $50,000, making this tax protection portable in most cases, and placing a 10 percent cap on annual rises in assessments for property that does not qualify for the homestead exemption.  Though not successful at this time, the state has also seen recent political movement to do away with property taxes altogether, which would greatly benefit homeowners.

Florida allows additional tax exemptions, including those listed here:

  • $500 widows and widower’s exemption
  • $500 disability exemption
  • $5,000 disability exemption for ex-service member
  • Service connected total and permanent disability exemption
  • Exemption for totally and permanently disabled person
  • Additional homestead exemption for persons 65 and older
  • Homestead property tax discount for veterans age 65 and older with a         combat-related disability
  • Homestead tax deferral
  • Installment payment of property taxes

What about retirees who desire to open a small business in Florida during their retirement years?  Florida TaxWatch, a watchdog group committed to sound fiscal policy and lower taxes, recently released a report that ranked Florida as 12th in the nation for its business-friendly practices and tax laws.

Homeowners considering a move to the Villages, Florida are wise to consult their financial advisor about the great tax advantages of retirement to Florida.

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Taking a Vacation from Retirement

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

With all the planning and anticipation that comes with retirement, we sometimes don’t think about the opportunities life will offer afterward.  New friends, new experiences, and more time to relax are just some of the advantages to the retirement lifestyle.  In addition, travel becomes a more viable option for those who are retired.  Work schedules need no longer dictate our schedules.  This opens us up to a literal world of possibilities when it comes to retirement travel.

Retirement travel is a great possibility for those who have chose The Villages, Florida.  Located in West Central Florida, The Villages offers residents who want to travel a myriad of choices for access to adventure.

Located just a few miles from I-75, and only 65 miles from Jacksonville, The Villages is conveniently located for Interstate travel.  Access to both Interstate and toll roads provide for a variety of automobile travel choices.  Day trip locations include:

  • Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards
  • Renningers’s Twin Antique Markets
  • SeaWorld Orlando
  • Silver Springs

Less than 250 miles from beautiful Savannah, Georgia, and less than two hours from the metropolitan areas of Orlando and Tampa, The Villages provides the perfect launch point for short trips, as well as longer vacations and travel itineraries.  Florida is a great state to explore even if you don’t plan on going far.  Whether you are looking to visit Gulf or Ocean beaches, historical Indian burial grounds, or the busy and vibrant cities of South Florida, all are easily accessible from The Villages.
Two international airports serve the Villages area, Tampa and Orlando International.

Tampa airport sees over 30,000 travelers every day, while Orlando International serves over 30 airlines, both domestic and international. Both airports are easy to navigate, and can be reached with your vehicle (with ample short and long term parking) as well as car service.

Many retirees are interested cruising.  Florida is a great starting point, With five cities serving as major cruise ports-Jacksonville, Cape Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa. Cruising has become a literal mega-industry, with varieties in the size of ship, length of days, and styles of cruising, so that cruising has an appeal for all segments of the retired population.

Vacation and travel plans that begin in the Villages and West Central Florida offer abundant choices, ease of planning, and accessibility.

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4 Misconceptions about Florida Retirement Living

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Many people have misconceptions about Florida and Florida retirement living.  This article will address some of those misconceptions and present the real facts about living in West Central Florida’s Villages.

Misconception #1: Florida is overcrowded.

West Central Florida’s Villages is located in a rural setting with access to nearby amenities in Ocala, Tampa Bay, and Orlando.  The Nature Coast area is known for its controlled growth strategy, which encourages both small business development and nature conservancy.

Misconception #2: Florida is for Tourists.

Florida does indeed have a thriving tourist industry that employs many of its residents, resulting in lower property taxes and a thriving economy.  Tourism, however, is not all that Florida has to offer.  The Villages, FL of Terra Vista and Citrus Hills area features pristine waterways, indigenous wildlife, many nature trails, bike paths, and state forests and parks. Locals in West Central Florida enjoy the yearly visits of the manatees from March to October as they make their way to our warm natural springs.  Florida’s residents also benefit from a variety of beaches year round.  While some beach areas attract tourists, the extensive coastline of both Atlantic and Gulf Beaches means that Floridians always can find deserted but beautiful sites for walks, picnics, shelling, and swimming.

Misconception #3:  Florida’s wildlife , such as snakes and alligators, make it a dangerous place to live.

Actually, very few Floridians ever have direct contact with poisonous snakes or alligators.  General precautions, such a keeping grass mowed and never feeding alligators or crocodiles are common sense approaches to avoiding encounters with these creatures. Only 4 alligator attacks are reported each year in Florida.  In addition, of the 50 species of snakes living in Florida, only 6 are venomous.

Misconception #4: Florida is always hot and humid.

Florida is actually quite seasonal, with far less extremes than other areas.  Average highs during the winter months are in the 60s; average lows in the 40s.  These mild winters allow for longer and more productive growing seasons and more outdoor activities.  The summer months have average highs of 90 and lows in the 70’s.  During the hottest months, Florida has a rain pattern that provides almost daily showers that cool the evenings and keep plants and lawns green.   For many, the favorite seasons lie in between winter and summer- crisp falls and verdant springs.
The Villages, Florida is a choice for retirement for many seniors because of its great weather, abundance of nature and beauty, and privacy.

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Better, Healthier Retirement Life in the Villages, Florida

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

When considering a retirement location, people consistently choose warmer climates, and with good reason.  The harsh weather conditions of the Northern states, especially this year, point to why.  While all of us appreciate the notion of a “White Christmas”, season-long snowfalls and extreme temperatures  become a daily and dreary reality.

Many of us live out our working years with early morning windshield scraping sessions and evenings with snow-shovel in hand.  In retirement, we desire something different. Advancing age, certain medications,and even mild arthritis can cause more sensitivity to cold weather, making it harder on the body.  Even worse, cold can sometimes become harder to detect in our later years, meaning that the cold can have adverse effects on our health and well-being without our even being aware of them. In fact, cold weather presents many challenges, that are exacerbated with age:

  • Dry and chapped skin
  • Less exposure to the sunshine, resulting in Vitamin D shortages and weaker bones
  • Increased risk of injury due to falls and slips on ice
  • Dangerous driving conditions
  • A weather-induced sedentary lifestyle during the colder months of the year

The Villages, FL is a retirement community with an average winter temperature of 65 de-grees. In all seasons, the majority of the days are sunny.  The hottest part of the year, the summer season, is broken up by almost daily mid-afternoon showers that keep The Villages in Florida green and provide a break from the heat of the day.  Evening temperatures are mild, allowing for nighttime outdoor activities almost year round. The Villages, FL was con-structed and planned with the lifestyle needs of seniors in mind.

For those concerned about the lack of seasonal change, rest assured that Central Florida does experience seasonal weather. Our warm summers transition to perfect falls (a favorite time for many Floridians), crisp but mild winters, and finally to breezy and green springs. Seniors and others looking for a retirement location that offers a break from cold weather, snow, and freezing rain need look no further than the Villages, Fl of Terra .

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