class="drop_cap">Many people go through their earlier years in life without giving much thought to retirement and what their future might hold. But not having a financial retirement plan in place during your later years can lead to great uncertainty in your ability to live comfortably once you leave the workplace.

The Insured Retirement Institute found that only 36 percent of baby boomers are feeling confident they will have a comfortable retirement. While 64 percent believe they will need to take a post-retirement job as an additional source of income. /> id="more-10414"> /> A recent survey of U.S. employers also showed they lacked confidence in their employees’ readiness to retire. More than 500 U.S. companies representing more than 12 million employees were surveyed by human resource consulting firm Aon Hewitt. The study found that:

• Only 4 percent of employers were very confident their employees will have adequate retirement assets. This is a dramatic shift from 2011, when the same survey found that 30 percent of employers were very confident with their employees’ retirement assets.
• Only 10 percent of employers were very confident employees are taking the accountability needed to ensure retirement success.
• Employers are also questioning the ability of their employees to manage income once they do retire. Only 18 percent felt confident their employees will be able to manage their retirement assets.

Going through life without a retirement plan is a lot like going on a trip without a map or having a final destination in mind. Using a financial adviser to come up with a workable retirement plan is one of the most proactive steps an individual can take toward ensuring a retirement that meets their goals and has their final financial destination in mind.

“Individuals often neglect taking the time to create a long-term strategy for retirement that properly factors in all of their needs,” said Derek Overstreet, president of New Millennium Insurance Services in South Jordan, Utah. “Retirement planning should take into account your particular circumstances and goals for your retirement years.”

It’s never too late to start saving for retirement, even if you are in your 60s. Here are eight tips to jump start a retirement plan in your later years:

• Be aware of your current spending habits and calculate how much money you will need to live comfortably in the future.
• Meet with a retirement planning expert to come up with a strategy that will take into account all of your needs.
• Paying off debt should be a top priority. Once debts are paid off start putting whatever you can toward retirement savings. Even in small increments it will begin to add up.
• Practice living on a budget and eliminate unnecessary spending. When you reach retirement you will need to learn to live on what you have saved and not go beyond what has been budgeted. Practice living on a fixed income now to get used to your lifestyle once you do retire.
• Don’t depend on Social Security benefits. Many believe that Social Security alone will cover their needs; this is often not the case. According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly check at the beginning of 2012 was $ 1,230.
• Participate in your employer’s 401k plan for savings. Many employers will match your contribution up to a certain level; take full advantage of this to maximize your return.
• Build your savings in a href="http://consumerboomer.com/roth-ira-best-places-open-setup-account/">Roth IRA account, while diversifying your investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more. With the Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars and withdrawals are generally tax free. Any transaction done within the account has no tax impact.
• Going from working five days a week to not working at all is major lifestyle change. Consider a phased retirement where you work a couple days each week or just a few months out of the year.

Many have been impacted by the recession with unemployment, a plummeting stock portfolio and major losses in property values. Accept the reality of the current economic situation, but don’t let it deter you from reaching your goals. It may take more time to retire than you originally hoped, but being proactive in your approach will eventually get you there.

Consumer Boomer

Dror Sagi (Stanford; Kim lab) — Engineering a long-lived worm

If aging is an engineering problem, then we should be able to solve the engineering challenges more easily in simple systems.

By introducing genes regulation from a long-lived organism into the genome of a short-lived organism, it should be possible to add pro-longevity functions – in effect “upgrading” the short-lived animal so that it lives longer. Sagi has set out to do just that, by transferring genes from the long-lived zebrafish (4-year lifespan) to the short-lived work (4-week lifespan).

The first gene he described was the UCP2 gene, the subject of an earlier talk. Expressing fish UCP2 in the worm lowers overall ATP, and extends worm lifespan. As an important control, expressing an additional copy of the worm UCP2 under the same promoter control does not extend life.

Likewise, fish lysozyme results in lower daf-16 activity, and also extends lifespan. The fish enzyme appears to act by decreasing the pathogenesis from E. coli, an unnatural food source for the worm that causes health problems in late life.

Overall, Sagi characterized 5 well-characterized longevity pathways, testing 16 genes and getting 7 hits.

The next obvious question: Can “upgrade” genes be combined to further increase lifespan? Indeed they can: several pairwise combinations of genes combined to extend lifespan longer than either single gene alone. At some point it worked a little to well: the lifespan of the worms started getting long enough that the survival curves became unwieldy.

• Staying with the worm…

Monika Suchanek (UCSF; Kenyon lab) — The germline and somatic reproductive tissues influence C. elegans

Classically, it had been assumed that there is a tradeoff between lifespan and the number of progeny produced over the lifespan. We now know that this isn’t necessarily true; there are several examples of long-lived mutants that have a normal number of progeny (though the kinetics may be slower, which poses an issue with respect to fitness: if I live twice as long as you and have the same number of progeny but half as quickly, I will probably lose the evolutionary race).

Suchanek began by reviewing old data (like, from when I was a rotation student in the Kenyon lab: old) demonstrating that removal of the germ cells results in lifespan extension, but that this longevity enhancement requires the presence of the somatic gonad. This loss of the germline causes nuclear accumulation of the DAF-16/FOXO protein in the intestine. It is clear from several diverse pieces of data that the somatic gonad and germ line exert their effects on longevity somewhat independently.

Two other genes, daf-9 and daf-12 are required for the extended longevity of germline-deficient worms. DAF-9 is an enzyme that makes dafachronic acid, the ligand of a receptor encoded by DAF-12. Addition of dafachronic acid has no effect on lifespan of germ-cell-deficient, somatic-cell-competent cells, but it does extend the lifespan of animals that lack both germ cells and the somatic gonad.

How does the intestine know that the germ line is gone? To answer this question, Suchanek screened a “signaling sublibrary” of 1304 genes, and got 115 unique hits including several components of the Wnt pathway. Two components, mom-2 and wrm-1 (ß-catenin), are required for nuclear accumulation of DAF-16/FOXO and for the extended lifespan of germline-deficient worms. Suchanek favors a model in which germ line cells emit Wnt inhibitors.

• Finishing on a strong note…

Monique Stanfel (Buck Institute; Kennedy lab) — Ribosome Function and Aging

The Kennedy lab is interested in identifying longevity/aging genes that are conserved in yeast and worm, and then testing these in the mouse.

In both yeast and worm, deletion/knockdown of many ribosomal proteins (RPs) can extend lifespan. In yeast, most if not all of the RPs with a role in lifespan are components of the large subunit (60S). In worm, knockdowns of both small and large subunit components can increase lifespan. Three of the genes conserved between worm and yeast can be knocked down in mice.

In order to characterize translation in mouse mutants, Stanfel ran polysome gradients on liver tissue. She analyzed the fractions in two ways, looking at both ribosome-associated RNAs and at the ribosome-associated proteins.

Surprisingly, the Rpl22 gene can be knocked out and has very little effect on global translation in the mouse liver. This may be because a homologous gene, Rpl22L (“-like”) is compensating for the loss of the major species.

Knockout of another gene, Rpl29, has a larger effect on global translation, decreasing the levels of 80S ribosomes. When fed a high-fat diet, Rpl29 knockouts were protected against weight gain, and their blood glucose also remained low; furthermore, the animals were leaner than wildtype. They also resist developing cardiac hypertrophy in another assay – thus, they meet all the preliminary criteria for the time and resource investment of a lifespan study.

As baby boomers, we have always gone through life knowing that countless other Americans were sharing experiences very similar to our own. We felt this way when we stepped onto college campuses in the 1970s, when we had children in the 1980s, and when we sent those children away to college in the last decade. Now, boomers have a new shared experience looming on the horizon: retirement.

Most of us have been planning for retirement for years. We have savings accounts, a sense of our post-career plans, and a person with whom we want to spend those twilight years. But even the most well-planned of us are still faced with one key decision, a decision that we hesitate to make: should we retire in our hometowns, where we have lived and worked for years, or should we somewhere distant, warmer, and more senior-friendly?

Destination retirements have been popular for decades, but contrary to common perception, just as many retirees choose to stay in New York and Chicago as those who flock to Palm Springs, San Diego, and Boca Raton. What, then, is the right path for you and your spouse?

If you have been asking yourself this question recently, here are a few considerations you may want to keep in mind:

Affordability

Due to the economic climate and the decline in the stock market, many of us are approaching retirement with less money saved than we had originally planned. Consequently, price and affordability should certainly factor into your decision. But this does not mean that a destination retirement is the more expensive option, especially if you currently live in a major metropolitan area. So before you decide to stay put and seek out title loans in AZ, MD, or NJ, consider this: while a retirement community in California may be more expensive than one in Ohio, there are numerous college towns across the South that offer affordable living, pleasant climates, and excellent access to healthcare and cultural events. If you’re looking to be more frugal in your retirement, leaving the big city and eschewing the popular senior destinations may help you drastically reduce your costs – and can do so while still providing you with a destination retirement.

Family

Beside inertia and financial concerns, family is the element that most often keeps retirees in their hometowns. Even despite today’s highly mobile society, a large percentage of Americans still live in close proximity to family members, whether they be children, cousins, siblings, or elderly parents. If you have a strong family grounding it’s hard to leave all this behind. In light of this, your retirement decision should certainly take family into account. Ask yourself: Do I still have strong familial ties to the place I live? Would I be able to regularly see loved ones, even if I choose a destination retirement? How important is family proximity compared to other factors, such as weather, cultural opportunities, and affordability?

Interests

As we approach retirement, we simultaneously approach the point in our lives where we are no longer defined by our jobs and our careers. Similarly, we will now have time on our hands to pursue other interests – interests that will surely come to define us. The unique interests you hold, personal plans you have, and activities you plan to pursue should fundamentally factor into your retirement decision. If you enjoy big city culture, a retirement community may not be your best bet, even if the climate there is better. If you seek a social scene that is highly senior-friendly in focus and in nature, urban anonymity and small town life are probably options to avoid. And if want to partake in outdoor activities, make sure that you retire somewhere close to nature. Your place of residence is no longer burdened by your career; consequently, it’s time to pursue your interests.

Keep these considerations in mind when you go about making that decision – the decision of where to retire and spend the rest of your life. While every place has its own pros and cons, it’s important to arrive at a decision – and to live somewhere – that will ultimately make you happy.

Most older adults adapt successfully to the multiple developmental and social changes and late life depression that are common in late life. For those who experience distress or develop psychological symptoms, Cognitive-behavioral therapy offers an ideal treatment modality. The emphasis in cognitive-behavioral therapy on the acquisition of coping skills provides older adults with concrete strategies for dealing with areas of problematic adjustment. (more…)

Multiple losses are common as people age, including deaths of spouse, family, and friends. A less obvious form of loss involves the change in relationship quality with a spouse or friend who may be experiencing physical or cognitive impairment. These losses, as well as the awareness of one’s own mortality, often trigger a review and evaluation of unrealized dreams, lost opportunities, and unresolved relationships. This review may activate negative thoughts and maladaptive schema that impede the recovery process. In addition, the loss of meaningful relationships may isolate the older adult and reduce the opportunities for support and social interactions with others.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions that seek to address these concerns can be helpful in reversing the negative spiral and engaging the individual in a more positive and adaptive response. For example, cognitive interventions that identify negative thoughts and challenge their accuracy will facilitate a more positive grief reaction and process. If the person believes that ‘I can’t survive alone,’ ‘My life is a total failure,’ or ‘I’ll never be happy again,’ then the person will find it difficult to interpret experience accurately. Cognitive techniques, such as ‘examining the evidence’ and ‘generating alternative thoughts,’ will facilitate a more positive recovery from loss and bereavement. In combination with behavioral techniques, such as increasing pleasant events and interactions with others, Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps move the person into a more problem-solving and adaptive response.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach to treatment of psychological problems that emphasizes the relationship among cognitive processes (thoughts or beliefs), emotions, and behavior. The assumption is that what one believes about an event or experience impacts how one feels and behaves in that situation. Similarly, the activities or behaviors that one engages in will affect mood and thoughts. Thus, a depressed person is often trapped in a downward spiral of negative thoughts that lead to depressed feelings and disengagement from meaningful and pleasant activities. The approach to treatment assumes that changes in thoughts and behaviors will result in changes in mood. The process of treatment is active and directive, with the therapist and patient working collaboratively to identify and change negative or dysfunctional thoughts and increase participation in meaningful activities. The goal of CBT is to teach the skills needed to change the dysfunctional thinking and behaviors that contribute to negative mood. Thus, Cognitive behavioral interventions therapy emphasizes the teaching of coping skills for dealing with problems rather than ‘curing’ the problem. The expected consequence of teaching these skills is an increase in patients’ sense of self efficacy, competency, and coping abilities. These skills equip them to deal not only with present problems, but also with future problems. The leading figures in the development of general cognitive therapy approaches to treatment of mood disorders are Albert Ellis, Donald Meichenbaum, and Aaron Beck.

Cognitive-behavioral interventions approaches to managing the distress associated with physical/somatic complaints problems show much promise. As with anxiety disorders, the treatment of somatic complaints of older clients with pharmacological interventions poses risks. Multiple drug interactions, risk of sedation leading to loss of balance or falls, and addiction are problems that come with use of medication as the sole treatment for these problems. A growing literature on alternate methods of treating or managing these problems suggests that cognitive-behavioral interventions is a promising addition to traditional treatments. (more…)

Abuse of drugs and alcohol is not uncommon among the elderly. The high rate of prescribed medication use, increased physiological sensitivity to drug effects, and the danger of interaction effects of multiple medications and/or alcohol place older adults at high risk for deliberate or accidental misuse of drugs or alcohol. In addition, some older adults turn to alcohol to help cope with stressful life events, thus increasing the risk of addiction or toxic interactions. (more…)

Research indicates that anxiety symptoms are more prevalent in elderly people than in any other age group, occurring at about twice the rate of younger adults. The types of anxiety disorders most common among the older population include generalized anxiety, mixed anxious-depressive syndrome symptoms, and phobias (often characterized by exaggerations of rational concerns). More rare are late-life onset of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and panic disorders. (more…)

Depression is the most common mental health problem in the elderly. While the incidence in community-dwelling older adults is no higher than in the general population, the risk increases significantly with medical illness or institutionalization. Depression is probably the best researched of the psychiatric disorders in the elderly, with epidemiological evidence indicating that older adults have the highest suicide rate of any age group (one-fourth of all suicides are carried out by persons age 60 or older by taking sleeping pills suicide). (more…)

Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions Research documenting the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in treating the psychological problems of older adults is encouraging. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints (e.g., chronic pain elderly, insomnia) in multiple controlled studies. However, research also has indicated that there may be multiple variables to consider in determining whether Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions is the best approach to use with a specific patient and a specific problem. For example, differential effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions compared to other forms of psychotherapy is less certain. (more…)