Michael LaVoy CFP, ChFC Advocates Planning for Retirement

TAMPA– Michael LaVoy, president, Beacon Asset Management (Beacon), a fee-only, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) operating in the Carrollwood area of Tampa, Florida has published an article in the summer edition of Carrollwood Village Views, a publication for homeowners in the Carrollwood Village area of Tampa.

"Most have seen the television commercial where people are carrying their "retirement numbers" around on placards under their arms. And while that commercial communicates an important message, that we need to give serious thought as to how much money we need to fund our lifestyles in retirement; it really doesn't tell us how to get to that number," wrote LaVoy.

Michael LaVoy, an investment advisor and financial planner, has expressed concern in various publications and blog articles that most retirees and pre-retirees do not have enough financial resources saved or invested to fund their retirement during their fixed income years. In the "Views," LaVoy outlined a helpful mechanism to begin planning for retirement, "Determining your number is fairly easy. The calculation is based on the interest rate you could/should earn; the number of years until your desired/mandatory retirement; and the amount you want/need to retire to maintain the lifestyle you desire."

As the news media continues to remind consumers, Social Security and Medicare should never be viewed as a "retirement plan…they are a safety net." As well, LaVoy cautioned Carrollwood Village homeowners that their homes should not be viewed as their "retirement." "It is important to view your home as a place to live-not your retirement plan," said LaVoy who added, "…reverse mortgages should be viewed only as a fail safe or stop-gap mechanism for seniors who have not saved sufficiently for their fixed income years."

Assisted by information and training from retirement custodian ExpertPlan, an Ascensus company, Beacon Asset Management will continue to lead advocacy efforts to urge pre-retirees to "give until it hurts" to prepare for their retirement years, according to LaVoy.

For more information about Beacon Asset Management and its retirement services, or to schedule Michael LaVoy for an interview or speaking engagement, call the Beacon offices or go online to schedule an appointment or subscribe to the Weekly Beacon or the Beacon Blog at www.beaconria.com