How much to save for retirement?
Am I saving enough? This question that has been on my mind since the Daily News laid off 22 newsroom employees Friday. How long could Hubby and I get by if I was not working? I turned to AnalyzeNow.com, which Newsweek recommended in its March 3 issue, for free planning advice. The site is run by retired Boeing president and engineer Henry "Bud" K. Hebeler.
The Web site does not have direct links to its free retirement planning tools, unfortunately. But it is easy to navigate by clicking on the links on the left side of the home page.) Under "Free Programs" there are tools for pre-retirement planning, whether you should take Social Security at 62, 66 or 70, a calculator to determine your investment's return, and a savings planner to help you create a budget that will allow you to retire comfortably.
The site also has answers to basic retirement questions. Click on "Ask Bud About" for detailed answers to if you should pay off your mortgage before retiring, how long to wait before you start taking social security, and the pros and cons of international investments.
You can buy a comprehensive planner for $49 to $89 under the "Comprehensive Planning" link.
