Lokken workshops on financial stability in retirement begin Sept. 20

To answer pressing questions about how to make retirement income last, the Lokken Investment Group has organized a workshop series starting with Affording Retirement - Income Strategies Beyond Social Security, set for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Lewes Public Library. All workshops will include an overview of economic and market conditions, and very specific tips for how to make better financial decisions to protect retirement investments.

"We know that many retirees worry about financial security," said Jon Lokken, managing principal at Lokken Investment Group in Lewes. "That's why we plan ongoing workshops that tackle myths and offer very practical information that might help them feel greater peace of mind."

The average retirement lasts 8,000 days. Lokken said retirees always worry if their investments will last as long. Part of people's concerns involve the markets and the ongoing possibility that the market may drop soon. But Lokken said short-term volatility in the market is normal and should be used to investors' advantage. In fact, the current market is near record highs, and consumer confidence remains stable. In fact, the Conference Board reported Aug. 29 that U.S. consumer confidence in the economy strengthened in August to its strongest level in five months.

Beyond the market, the workshop will also dive into creating a healthy income strategy for retirement, with funds coming from three main sources. Guaranteed income includes secure income sources such as Social Security, pensions and annuities. These are generally inadequate to fund retirement. Liquid assets are safe and accessible funds such as checking and savings accounts, and short-term CDs. These funds should total three to six months of living expenses. Investment income comes from a variety of products and strategies. Income is taxable.

Lokken will also discuss the importance of creating an asset allocation strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by adjusting the percentage of each asset in an investment portfolio based on an investor's risk tolerance, goals and investment time frame. The unique mixture of an person's chosen investment should match specific goals, which will also be reviewed.

All workshops will be held at 10 a.m., the third Wednesday of the month at the Lewes Public Library. Additional topics to be covered include Oct. 18: Market Meltdowns - Applying Conservative Strategies for Volatile Markets; Nov. 15: The Dos and Don'ts of Investing; and Dec. 20: 2018 The Year Ahead.

Lokken Investment Group LLC is a full-service investment firm in Lewes offering independent, research-driven, accountable and conservative financial advisory services. The firm's clients, retirees looking for an experienced financial advisor, live across Delaware and Maryland.

To register for any of the workshops, go to www.lokkeninvest.com/seminars or call 302-645-6650.