Retire Early? Make the SMART Choices

by Steven Silbiger

Are You Considering Early Retirement? Do You Know Someone Who Is Considering This Momentous Decision? With Retire Early? Make the SMART Choices , Steven Silbiger, CPA, offers a short guide to the big issues of retirement planning—packed on every page with detailed, step-by-step advice. Choosing when to retire is one of the most important—and overlooked—decisions we will make about our lives. Silbiger, author of The Ten-Day MBA , has written the first guide that untangles the complicated issues surrounding early retirement, based on careful research about the money pitfalls retirees and near-retirees face. He delivers an understandable roadmap that demystifies the confusion about Social Security benefits, and clarifies the choices for anyone considering when and how to retire. Are you thinking about getting the early Social Security check? It can be tempting, but for many this can be a foolhardy decision. For others, it makes perfect sense. Making the smart choice about when to retire can make a $100,000 difference for an individual and $200,000 for a couple. Silbiger guides readers through the key variables that affect the decision to elect early Social Security retirement By getting a grip on how to manage our investments, cash flow, and real estate, Silbiger shows how we can put thousands of dollars more into our pockets every year. He addresses vital questions about money and retirement that Through it all, you'll meet everyday people who have faced the early retirement question and learned how to make the smart choices. Silbiger provides the tools, worksheets, and assessments to avoid costly mistakes, take charge of your financial future, and choose the path to a secure, happy retirement.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[O Pfeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot about personal finance and retirement planning, and even if there was nothing new for me in this book, I found Chapter 7 to be particularly helpful which emphasized:

"Investing for retirement is totally different from investing during retirement"

This one chapter gave me a better appreciation for and understanding of:
- portfolio success rate charts
- monte carlo studies, and
- 2-bucket/3-bucket strategies (growth, income & safety).

Clearly written, and helpful explanations about a frequently confusing area of personal finance.

[Katherine Rupley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information about the problems taking SSA early.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about when to take social security and focuses on waiting to get the most money.

[Jen Hicks]

Very focused on helping you chose when to start taking social security. Only a tiny bit of advice on how to fill the gap between the time you "early retire" and the age you can start pulling money from 401k and social security.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly skimmed this as it focused on maximizing your social security benefits. Appeared to have good info for those close to retirement age.....

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to skim this one since it didn't include exactly what I'm looking for and was too basic. Will keep searching for a better book on the topic.

[Katharine · Rating 1 out of 5]

If "retire early" means 60, then this book is for you. For anyone interested in the early retirement/financial independence lifestyle, skip this!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dense in some parts, but very helpful.