post-retirement planning

These days working folks in the U.S. generally have to give retirement planning a lot more consideration than a generation ago.  That's because very few employers provide pensions for long service.  It's up to most people to save enough during their working years to create a base of money to draw from in retirement.  So there is naturally a great deal of focus given to IRA and 401k accounts and to putting enough away to last for retirements that can be as long as 30-40 years.  And much attention is given to strategies to make sure that money will last.  Of course it is also important to make sure that Wills andMedical Directives are in place.  People with more material wealth than they can use in their lifetimes study strategies to minimize estate tax as their assets pass to another generation.  It is interesting that more people don't focus on their "post retirement" plans.  Retirements can, indeed, last for 3 or 4 decades, but after retirement ends...eternity lies forever beyond.  In our hearts we know that we will spend the forever that lies past our physical death somewhere.  But have we faced the options and made any choices?  We may have faced the options in our 401k plans and made some choices.  We may have protected our hard-earned material goods from taxes and ensured they go to loved ones when we leave this life...but have we considered where we are going when we actually leave?  I am starting into the New Testament book of First Peter this morning.  Peter wants the readers of his letter to think about "forever planning".

1 Peter 1:¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

You may know of folks who have their retirement planning in place but have neglected their "forever plans".  I think we'll find some guidance in the book of First Peter.  Won't it be wonderful to walk through the gates of death and into the everlasting kingdom of our Savior!

 

blessings,

Rob Smith