As many of you know, I relate retirement planning to shooting sporting clays. Both are moving targets and each target is different, like each client. In both sporting clays and retirement planning, Laura and I are constantly looking for ways to raise the scores. It should come as no surprise that we would invest in good glasses.
Last year, both Laura and I bought shooting glasses from one of the top manufacturers in the U.S. Laura’s glasses work perfectly for her, mine on the other hand, were not working the way that I thought they should. We both had our prescription in all of the lenses and I really felt like I should see targets a whole lot better. I consulted with the top Ophthalmologist in Huntsville and found out that the prescription was only in a small part of the lenses, so that I could only see the target clearly if it is in the very center of my vision. Not a very successful way to break targets, especially those that are moving and at a distance.
I have seen this phenomenon with prospects who want to see if they can retire and when. It is interesting to watch their fixation with a particular number, or in the case of our retirement planning software, a probability of outcome. They often miss or dismiss the importance of challenging markets, such as the one we are in now. They don’t look beyond the numbers to see what the taxes are going to be once the required minimum distributions take place or the strategies to employ and when. It is also scary to watch the fixation on returns, again, just counting on previous extraordinary markets gains. Missing or dismissing these things can severely hamper what you want to do in the second half of your life. It is as though you can only see one thing, like my shooting glasses, and miss the larger picture and the target.
I am getting new glasses soon, and I am looking forward to breaking more targets. If you are interested in increasing your field of vision to better understand your retirement, give us a call at 256-417-4870.
Mike
Mike Mickels is the President of CochranMickels Retirement Specialists and an avid sporting clay competitor. CochranMickels Retirement Specialists provides personalized planning and investment services to individuals approaching and in retirement. They also provide retirement and benefits training to Federal employees. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc, a Registered Investment Advisor. CochranMickels and Cambridge are not affiliated.