9/18/2014

THE 2ND 30 – 40 YEARS – LIFETIME RETIREMENT (55 – 95) - HOW WE GOT FROM THERE TO HERE




Large corporations began to dismantle defined benefit pension plans over 20 years ago.



The first demographic group who were targeted were those in their mid 50's. Why? Because it is costly to fund a lifetime retirement with 10 years left (i.e. 55 - 65). This left those affected with only one choice - do it on your own. A $100,000 / year retirement income requires $2,000,000 in capital assuming a 5% rate of return on the capital - that's $200,000 / year in retirement funding. That sum speaks for itself. Most corporations did not start the retirement funding early..

Once a corporation removes a guaranteed pension for all intents and purposes an employee becomes self employed. The only advantage anyone has financially in a large institution is the opportunity to receive a pension and retire with peace of mind. Once you are on your own you are acting as an independent entrepreneur and not an employee. Loyalty cuts both ways.

That's the background that has resulted today in 60% of all working Canadians not having a defined benefit pension plan which would allow them to sleep soundly throughout the 30 - 40 years of their retirement (from as early as 55 to as late as 95. - look around you in your own family.)

Ask public servants why they work for the government from a financial point of view - their defined benefit pension.

Financial planning was done by the corporation - not the employee. Employees budgeted – income – expenses – that’s it. The employee traded his or her financial time for a guaranteed lifetime income at retirement.

Employees bought financial products for their individual accumulation purposes but had very little certainty whether they would be able to transition their accumulated savings capital into a sufficient and sustainable lifetime retirement income.

That brings us to 2014 where 14,000,000 boomers in Canada are preparing to retire and are inadequately aware of which professional financial practitioner can replace the corporate financial management team who once upon a time designed and implemented their defined benefit retirement plans…….

That's where we are today.

2 comments:

BEYOND RISK said...

Tax Service Business said...

Financial planning was done by the corporation - not the employee. Employees budgeted – income – expenses – that’s it. The employee traded his or her financial time for a guaranteed lifetime income at retirement.
MAY 25, 2011 AT 9:18 PM

BEYOND RISK said...

Financial literacy is not taught in elementary school.