How to Retire Happy, Fourth Edition: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire

They say hindsight is 20/20, but by reading this book your foresight will be too. There is no hype here, just straight common sense from a guy who's already where you want to be. Are you planning on living on less money in retirement? Do you really want to? Stan tells you that's not realistic and why. And what to expect about taxes, and health insurance.. Take it from someone who's already there. This book will help you ensure a comfortable and happy retirement.

Stan Hinden writes a column for the Washington Post and I've read his column since day one. I cannot say this is the best book ever written on the subject because I've only read three books, but I can say I've learned a great deal about retirement from Mr. Hinden and what I've learned was not taught in the midcareer retirement seminar I attended. Unlike some who write on the subject, Mr. Hinden is actually retired...well sort of. He took a retirement pension from the Washington Post and then started writing his column on retirement, and now he has published a book on the subject. As Yogi Berra said, it ain't over until it's over. Mr. Hinden says although you may retire from one job, perhaps you'll go onto another. Many folks retire from several jobs over the course of their life. Others figure out how to retire once and do it before 40. Mr. Hinden's main point is to rethink what retirement means to you. And, it's very important to have a plan for your "retired" years. Mr. Hinden deals with financial matters, probably not with the comprehensiveness of a financial planner, but he provides enough information to get you started asking the right questions as well as a list of other sources with more in-depth information. A few of his goodies include -- yes, you can arrange with Social Security to make deductions for tax purposes, and yes, you may be eligible for pension coverage from a former employee if you were vested before you left. Mr. Hinden underwent surgery a few years ago, and he has a great deal to say about medical expenses and health insurance. He also has some things to say about decisions he made prior to retirement concerning his beneficiaries. He also explains some of the mysteries associated with Part A and Part B Medicare. He also discusses the value of long-term health care insurance.It's never too early to think about retirement planning. I am sending copies of Mr. Hinden's book to all my children so they can begin to think about it. That should boost his post-retirement income by a few cents.

Stan Hinden provides answers (or shows you where to get the answers) to the major questions you face upon retirement in the United States: Are you ready to retire? Can you afford to? What will Social Security and pensions provide? How do you deal with company savings plans and IRAs? How should you invest? What do you do about health insurance or preparing for serious illness? How do you decide where to live? Hinden warms his factual text with slightly saccharine stories about how he and his wife prepared for retirement, so you might have to be in the mood. His generally simple, clearly written book is directed toward a general audience, so some of the advice about financial planning, Social Security and pensions may be targeted more to mid-level managers or employees. We [...] caution that those with lofty incomes may need loftier advice, but otherwise this is a solid introduction to retirement. (And we didn?t really mind the syrupy stories.)

What an unusual "how to" book. It's interesting, helpful, useful and easy to read. For those of us who learn more from mistakes it also is a "how not-to" book. Stan Hinden's recounting of the mistakes he and his wife Sara made in preparing for retirement ... and after they retired, too ... really are eye-openers. Their actions, obviously, seemed proper at the time, and for me, proper now. But, they weren't and aren't. Nothing like some strong caution! Best of all, my wife snuck a picture of me reading "How to Retire Happy" while on vacation. I had a smile on my face.

...but Stan Hinden's "How to Retire Happy" definitely is understandable to the average layman. Concepts are clear, and well presented. There's enough of Mr. Hinden's personality coming through to make this an easy read. It's particularly interesting to benefit from his somewhat rueful hindsight. As I inch (or gallop) toward retirement, I'm finding interest in such topics as long term medical insurances, what are my thoughts on a 24/7 relationship with my mate, just what is Social Security all about, where to live. In fact, I've given my two grown children a late Christmas present -- a copy of "How to Retire Happy". At the least, I know I've given them food for thought.