Cracking Your Retirement Nest Egg (without Scrambling Your Finances): 25 Things You Must Know before You Tap Your 401(K), IRA, or Other Retirement Savings Plan

From Publishers Weekly
The title may be unwieldy, but the book is not: Malapsina’s modest volume is a simple, straightforward guide to the Byzantine subject of retirement planning. Twenty-five short chapters instruct readers on the basics of plan types, on organizing, withdrawing from, rolling over, avoiding taxes on and investing in plan assets, and on "special situations," such as domestic partnerships, women's retirement, inheritance, company stock and estate planning. Even those who fancy themselves knowledgeable about pensions and defined contribution plans may find new information here. For instance, Malaspina points out that, contrary to popular belief, most large companies in the U.S. still offer traditional, defined benefit retirement plans that reward loyalty and deliver a regular percentage of pre-retirement wages. (The problem is, the modern workforce doesn't stay in one place long enough to maximize these benefits). Designed as a reference rather than a sit-down read, this book is brief and clear. But readers should not misled: retirement rules are frequently convoluted and arcane, and a book is no substitute for a competent attorney or financial planner. But if used as a broad outline to retirement planning issues, Malaspina’s volume can serve to highlight important areas for further consideration. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
A vital resource for people structuring their retirement incomes, this audio overlooks nothing. Due to a complicated tax code, there are many rules to consider when tapping into company retirement plans, 401(k)s, IRAs, and other retirement-oriented tax shelters. Wills, trusts, and estates are considered, and the advice is broad enough to be useful to people with a variety of nest egg sizes and circumstances. Though the narration is overly serious--like a disaster documentary--the writing is fresh as it encourages people to be as proactive and open-minded as possible regarding their retirement planning. The issues and pitfalls are more than most people imagine, so time spent with this long but reasonably priced audio will be worth the effort. T.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Peter S. Lynch, Vice Chairman, Fidelity Management & Research Company
"Cracking Your Retirement Nest Egg will help investors manage what they own—-both right now and through their retirement income years."

Ginger Applegarth, CFP, CLU, ChFC, Author, The Money Diet and Wake Up and Smell the Money
"Offers soothing, sensible, and reassuring advice that's just right for these turbulent financial times."

Jim Lowell, Editor, Fidelity Investor
"This book delivers what every investor is always pining for-—an advantage that will trump mere guesswork."

Book Description
So what do you do with the money you've saved? When it comes to retirement savings, the message you always hear is "save, save, save." Investment advice is "grow, grow, grow." But what happens when you reach that day when it is time to write your own retirement paycheck? Where do you start? How do you turn your savings into income? Do you know which resources to tap first? In light of the recent tax law changes, how can you be tax smart about your retirement income? And where can you turn for simple, clear advice about the complex IRS rules and regulations that you must follow when withdrawing from your savings? Most of us don't know what to do when faced with all these questions. Cracking Your Retirement Nest Egg takes the entire spectrum of advice for the period leading up to and into retirement, distills it into the 25 most important things one needs to know to begin retirement on solid financial ground, and presents the investment guidance of some of the top planners in the country. If you are one of the millions of baby boomers hitting 50, 55, and beyond, and have to make these important decisions, you need to consult this book before cracking your retirement nest egg.

Book Info
A former vice-president of Fidelity offers indispensable advice for the millions of baby boomers hitting 50, 55, and beyond. Margaret Malaspina focuses on spending and living off retirement savings, while other books are geared towards saving for retirement.

About the Author
Margaret A. Malaspina is a former vice president of Fidelity, where she launched the writing career of Peter Lynch and was part of the executive team that started Worth magazine. She now serves as principal of Malaspina Communications, a firm that specializes in investment and financial communications. Malaspina is a frequent guest on radio and television financial shows and a frequent speaker at professional investment conferences.


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The title may be unwieldy, but the book is not: Malapsina's modest volume is a simple, straightforward guide to the Byzantine subject of retirement planning. Twenty-five short chapters instruct readers on the basics of plan types, on organizing, withdrawing from, rolling over, avoiding taxes on and investing in plan assets, and on "special situations," such as domestic partnerships, women's retirement, inheritance, company stock and estate planning. Even those who fancy themselves knowledgeable about pensions and defined contribution plans may find new information here. For instance, Malaspina points out that, contrary to popular belief, most large companies in the U.S. still offer traditional, defined benefit retirement plans that reward loyalty and deliver a regular percentage of pre-retirement wages. (The problem is, the modern workforce doesn't stay in one place long enough to maximize these benefits). Designed as a reference rather than a sit-down read, this book is brief and clear. But readers should not misled: retirement rules are frequently convoluted and arcane, and a book is no substitute for a competent attorney or financial planner. But if used as a broad outline to retirement planning issues, Malaspina's volume can serve to highlight important areas for further consideration. (Jan.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.


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