This article was in yesterday’s Charlotte Observer.  If you didn’t get a chance to read it, I think it’s worth taking a look.  Here’s a summary of the article.

According to some recent statistics, many North Carolina baby boomers in the 55 – 64 age bracket are not in good shape, both physically and financially.

Overall Health

Researchers say that NC residents in this age bracket exercise less than younger groups, with more than a third of them being obese.  85% of this group admit to getting no exercise at all.  One in six has been told by a doctor that diabetes has affected their kidneys.  There’s a great website about healthy living that I like, written by my good friend Spencer Iacono at www.SuperiorCleansing.com . You should check it out sometime.

“My sense is that we are in denial about aging,” said Joan Pellettier, director os the Triangle J Area Agency on Aging, a group that coordinates programs for older people in central North Carolina counties.  Pelletier also urges boomers to start thinking about long-term care insurance, coverage that’s been made more accessible through recent state and federal legislation.  Pelletier wants to get the word out about the things people have to learn before they get to retirement.  “I am thinking of moving our focus from people who are 60 to people that are 50 and older” she said.

Financial Health

The financial health of baby boomers in general is not so good, and that’s not just in North Carolina.  About three-quarters of baby boomers nationally say their retirement plans have been negatively affected by the current financial downturn, which is no surprise.

Mauricio Soto, a researcher at the Urban Institute, has estimated that nationally retirement accounts initially lost $2.8 trillion, or about a third of their value, in the stock market, although some of that ground has been recovered (but not all).

There is a great majority of baby boomers in the country who have not saved enough towards retirement.  These people need assistance, but many are reluctant to ask for it.  If you feel like you might be in trouble financially, then there’s a good chance you are.  Now is the time to get your finances in order and start catching up.  Working with a Certified Financial Planner professional will ensure that you develop a realistic plan to get you on track.  You want to work with an advisor who is not afraid to give you bad news.  You need to be realistic about your future.  If you don’t have enough money saved, and you’re spending too much, the last thing you need is an advisor who tells you that you’re doing a great job.  That’s a recipe that will end up with you living in your kids basement one day.

Call us today to set up an appointment for a financial health check-up.  We will tell you if you are on track for success, or disaster.  Call us at 1-800-983-4222 today.

For more information on state health statistics visit http://tinyurl/34ncww8