Each generation of our society has had to face trials ranging from the Great Depression in the 1920's to World War II during the 1940's. Unlike the trials prior we now have the awareness to prepare for the next challenge facing not only Americans but all nations. The current challenge is living in a society where becoming 100 years of age will be common place.

We have often read the articles of the 73 million baby boomers entering into retirement, then passing into becoming elders needing care. Most recently studies have reported individuals retiring at the age of 65 will need $102,000 and couples would need over $225,000 set aside for health care. Interesting enough these reports reflect on acute or well care not the care needed for a chronic illness which requires very specific levels of attention for a long period of time.

Studies report medical care currently is 16.2% of the Gross Domestic Product and declare care costs will increase to 19.6% by 2016. Current average cost of care in Seattle metro area can range from $76,000 to $88,000 annually today, calculate what this cost of care would be in 15 or 30 years from today.

What is your plan to meet this challenge when you experience being one of the four kinds of people?

The questions we should be asking, what are my options, what steps should I take to protect my choice, how do I protect my independence?

As a friend has said to me, this train is coming down the track you can either be standing on the track or to the side of the track.

To review your questions or learn more how to protect your independence please contact us at Feek -Justice Financial. Together we can develop a plan to best protect you, your family, and preserve your choices.

Retirement security strategies is our strength.   -- Jim

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself." -- William Faulkner

Has the time come for you to consider adding energy to your investment portfolio?

For many of our firm's clients over the past few years, energy programs have become another core component. We began incorporating direct-ownership energy exploration and production into portfolios more than seven years ago. For the first few years, such investments were usually made by higher-net-worth clients, very often with a key objective of taking advantage of energy's generous income tax deductions.