Good questions deserve plain answers.

It is never too early to begin retirement planning. The more time you have to save and grow your resources, the better chance you have of being ready when the time comes.

There is no magic number. Things like lifestyle and the cost of living in your area will differ from person to person. Some suggest you will need 80% of your “working years income” in retirement, but there is really no hard and fast method to know for certain.

In the early stages of your work life, when you have 20 or more years until retirement, you can afford to be strongly invested in the market because time works in your favor. As you near retirement, consider reducing your risk profile so that you are better protected in the event of a market downturn. At that stage of life, you have less time to recover from a large market decline, which could affect your retirement plans.

People’s tolerance for risk varies. So does their ability to withstand negative market conditions. Try to minimize the role of emotions in your decision making. One rule of thumb is to subtract your age from 100. The remainder is the amount of funds you could keep invested in the equities market. By that rule, a 70-year-old would target 30% exposure to more volatile investments.

Utilizing safe money products can reduce the likelihood of running out of money due to market loss. Using a 4–5% annual spending rule also reduces the likelihood of overspending your resources.

Mostly people nearing or in retirement, many of them teachers, professors, clergy and nonprofit workers, and anyone other advisors have passed over. Who I help

No.

No. It’s complimentary, with no obligation and nothing to buy.

$250 an hour for planning; a typical plan takes 5 to 10 hours. If you buy an annuity or insurance policy through me, I’m paid a commission by the insurance company and often waive my hourly charges. I always tell you first. How I’m paid

Yes. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, I am held to a fiduciary standard when I give you financial advice. A fiduciary must act in your best interest!

I’ve helped a small circle of clients for many years, and I spent my own career in ministry and higher education, so I know the pensions, 403(b)s and modest salaries that come with that work. About Jay

A mix matched to your goals, your timeline and how much up and down you can live with, with a written plan for what to do when markets fall.

Whatever you need: income, Social Security, investments, insurance and annuities, taxes in your plan, and legacy. Services

No. I keep taxes and legal documents in view and work alongside your tax professional and attorney.

Yes. We can meet by video call or in person at my home office.

I meet in person with people in Indiana and western Ohio, and by video call with clients in Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia.

If Jay can’t pick up, his virtual assistant answers general questions, books a time, or takes a message so Jay can call you back. It never gives financial advice, and Jay reads every conversation.