Financial Planning Retirement Seminar - What To Look For...

Looking to attend a financial planning retirement seminar? What are the things to look out for? Here are some things to take note. Before attending such a seminar, do know what your expectations are and what the people organizing the seminar can deliver. Usually, part of the financial planning retirement seminar will include sales pitches on products propagated by the organisers.

There is nothing wrong with these, but you do have to be aware of what your own needs in terms of such financial services and products. Some topics that are be covered in such a seminar should include personal financial planning, retirement, savings and investment and other similar topics.

A certain number of retirement planning seminars have speakers suggesting the use of high-risk financial instruments so that (logically) higher investment returns can be achieved. The logic is, of course, with higher investment returns, you can secure a more comfortable retirement in future. All very well and good, but it is of utmost importance that you must first understand you own risk appetite and profile. You may want to talk to a professional and competent financial planner in this respect.

The adage "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) describes this well, although perhaps only figuratively. The lesson to take away is that you do not get involved in anything that you do not first understand thoroughly. The financial planning retirement seminar is for you to better understand the available instruments and investments that will help you reach your retirement goals. It is not an avenue for you to lose your hard-earned money that is meant to be part of your retirement funds. Do not feel rushed or compelled to agree and follow everything the speaker says. Some (not all) may have commercial reasons to be speaking at these seminars.

Do some homework before attending such a seminar. Start with asking yourself what you are trying to achieve. Ask questions such as "how much do I want for retirement?", "what am I trying to achieve during retirement?". These questions, though basic, will help adjust your expectations and perceptions of the retirement seminar can achieve.

For example, most financial planners will recommend that you will live on 60% - 80% of your present income. Whilst there are various reasons for this financial planning "rule of the thumb", only you will know what you want. Nobody, except yourself, should decide. The fact remains, however, that you must be in a position to decide. In order to do that, you must have a personal financial plan in the first place. Hopefully, attending a financial planning retirement seminar will either start that plan or enhance your present one. This is all part of good personal financial planning.