RETIREMENT MAPPING - HOW CLOSE IS THE FINISH LINE?
How do you know when you have crossed the retirement finish line? How can you tell how close you are? Are you properly pacing yourself? Everyone is running the retirement race but for many people it feels like the finish line is getting farther away! It is unclear how far and how long they must run to cross the finish line.

We have developed a customized planning process that helps individuals update their retirement map because the majority of people need help locating the finish line. We assist individuals in the following areas:
1-Identify where they want to go and when they want to get there.
2-Understand their current location and progress on the map.
3-Design and implement plans that lead from their current location to the finish line, that help individuals relax, pace themselves and enjoy the journey. The planning process is also backed by our coaching and monitoring system to keep things on track.

MY PORTFOLIO - IS IT TIME FOR A CHANGE? ONE QUESTION...
How do we balance ouselves between optimism, pessimism and reality?. Many individuals have the strategy of "I'm not opening my mail until the market improves". It is vital to have a proactive strategy backed with reason. If you ask the right question it will move you in the right direction.

One Question That Needs An Answer - If your "cash" bucket (checking, savings, CD's...) has a Risk/Return level of Zero or One then what is the Risk/Return level of the rest of your combined portfolio? You must have an answer to this question because you have to know where your portfolio is in order to determine if you need to make changes or not! Call us for more information because it is vital to clearly answer this question.

TAX NEVER - THE 2010 "ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY"
In many cases we find that the majority of individuals' assets are held in the "Tax Later" arena. In 2010 you may have a small window of opportunity to shift a portion of your IRA assets into the "TAX NEVER" arena by doing a IRA to ROTH conversion! This does not need to be a complex matter because you have 2 initial questions to answer. If you think that taxes are going to go higher then the bottom line says to explore the IRA to ROTH conversion option. If you think that taxes are going to go down then the bottom line says DO NOT explore the IRA to ROTH conversion option.

Contact us soon to see if this is an opportunity you need to prepare for because it will take time to set up the details to make it a smooth, painless process before the 2010 window closes.

ESTATE PLANNING: PUTTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER
Do you know anyone that has been responsible for administering a loved one's estate? If proper planning has been done it is still an intimidating task, to say the least. If your estate plan is unorganized or outdated and must be administered by your children, their relationship may be in jeopardy. Do your loved ones a favor and get this necesary task done because an unorganized or outdated estate plan can be a hotbed of unnecesary CONFUSION, TAXES and FEES. Click on the link above to get started today!

PERA RETIREMENT CHANGES SEEM IMMINENT! (updated 10/05/2009)
Many people ask us about PERA's stability and the various legislative action that is currently being discussed and debated. We have several observations. PERA seems to have solid support from both the Governor and the Legislature to assist them in making defensive changes quickly. The continued Economic turmoil should logically stimulate a reduction in benefits to shore up potential liabilities. We think it would be practical for PERA to increase the retirement age immediately to help reduce their unfunded liabilities.

Some possible areas of change:
1 – Increase minimum retirement age from age 50 to age 55 in 2010 or 2011.
2 – Reduce or skip paying the annual 3.5% cost of living raise.
3 -- Modify or skip paying the annual 2.5% retirement table increase.
4 – Increase the cost of purchasing service credit.
5 – Increase the cost of reinstating previously cashed out PERA service credit.

Remember that it is vital to defend and protect your pension. All of these actions should improve their bottom line.. If changes are not implemented quickly we believe that PERA’s long term ability to serve both the retirees and active employees will be difficult. The sooner they make adjustments the less painful the adjustments will be.

IS BUYING PERA SERVICE CREDIT STILL VIABLE? (updated 10/05/2009)
Yes, in certain instances it makes good sense. We see some situations where individuals are buying as many as 5 years. The norm seems to be buying just a few months up to a few years depending on their target retirment years and date. Each situation is different. If you think you may be a candidate you are welcome to contact us for an evaluation.

If you are between age 49 and age 55 and considering retirement in the next 12 to 24 months contact us immediately because special planning may be necesary to accomplish your goal.

REDUCING THE COST OF HEALTH CARE - PRIME-CHOICE TRUST(HST)
Helping members retire always includes the discussion on Health Care Cost. PERA has a plan that is available for retirees. If your work history exceeds 20 years PERA supplements as much as $230.00 per month towards an employee's health premium expenses. After the $230.00 supplement, a couple on the Anthem HMO plan has experienced net premium increases from $1,118 per month in 2009 to $1,320 per month in 2010. If the costs continue at one fourth the current pace the premium would go to $1,685 per month in 2015, $2,150 per month in 2020, and a wopping $2,750 per month in 2025!!! These apparent epidemic proportions have lead us to the Prime-Choice Trust (HST), an employer plan that can create TAX FREE money for the Health Care resources of your choice. Contact us if you would like us to discuss this with your employer.

PERA MEMBERS…OUR CLIENTS OF CHOICE!
Integrated Investment Group, Inc. has been in the business of helping PERA members with their retirement and financial planning needs since 1987. We specialize in integrating clients’ PERA retirement planning opportunities with all other retirement planning components. PERA members are our client of choice. We make it our business to cater to their needs and opportunities.

NOT AFFILLIATED WITH COLORADO PERA
While we have great respect for PERA, IIG is not affiliated with Colorado PERA. We have made it a point to maintain close contact with PERA on behalf of our clients. This has strengthened our ability to help our clients in the retirement planning process. We feel that the PERA Pension is a significant portion of an employees retirement package and must be carefully reviewed while laying the framework for retirement.