Most people are excited to see 2020 in the rearview mirror; we have experienced trials and tribulations that we never would have imagined at this time last year. But before we flip the last page on our calendars, it is important to reflect on where we have been and focus on where we may be going.

December is a flurry of tying up loose ends and preparing and planning for the next year. It is an important time of year; a time to reflect on the progress and lessons of the past 11 months and a time to look towards a fresh start. A time to make a conscious effort to do things differently.

I would ask you to consider the following questions as you wrap up 2020: did you make progress towards your retirement this year? Do you know how to measure progress? If not, what are you going to do differently next year?

Most people do not know if they are on the path to true financial freedom and security. They may know their net worth but unless they have gone through a planning process that is comprehensively geared towards retirement, and have a way to monitor and track progress, many are moving blindly towards an unclear destination.
 
At Pathfinder, we GUIDE YOU FORWARD – our planning process helps our clients define and quantify their financial goals and then we build and manage their plan to help make that future a reality.

We start by taking clients through a discovery process that will help them identify realistic objectives and timelines. We educate clients on options available and what fits them across their financial life, including investment, insurance, estate, and tax planning. We analyze their resources available to fund these goals, which certainly include their investment portfolio, but also considers other income sources like rental income, pensions, and social security. We input data and model their future providing benchmarks and milestones of where they should be along the way. We provide an action plan that gives practical steps for progress and staying on track. We also test your financial plan against the six major retirement risks, to ensure a high probability of success. Unsure if your portfolio will stand up against these six risks? Shoot us an email at [email protected] for our write up on these retirement derailers.
 
We get it – 2020 was anything but ordinary and it may not seem like the right time to focus on retirement. But the thing about time, is that it keeps ticking. You cannot wait for a perfect time to start planning. We could not have predicted what was going to happen this year, and we cannot predict what is going to happen next year. But with a plan in place, you will know that you are moving forward.

Will 2021 be the year you finally take your retirement planning serious? I hope that getting serious is not a New Year’s resolution that gets tossed aside by mid-January. Going through our retirement planning process is a significant life event and it will motivate and empower you to achieve your goals. Are you ready to get on the path? Give us a call. We are here to guide you forward.


Jason is a wealth advisor and founding partner of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. He has been in the financial services industry since 1999. Jason was born in Dayton, Ohio, but grew up in Eastern North Carolina. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1999 with a BS in finance and an MBA in 2003. Rob Penn, Jason’s business partner, hired him in 1999 and the two began a successful business relationship, highlighted by the formation of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting in 2005. Jason’s passion for the business begins with helping our clients, working with select families to accomplish their personal and business goals. Jason’s role also includes managing the overall firm, leading its growth initiatives, and enhancing operations. Jason resides in Wilmington with his wife, Ashley, and their daughter, Merritt. Ashley is a speech-language pathologist and owns Therapy Connections, Inc., a pediatric speech therapy company. Currently, Jason spends most of his free time with his family doing anything kid-related. He also plays average golf as often as possible, waits patiently for his invitation to Jedi training, and hopes that maybe this year he'll have more time for surfing, boating, fishing, and all the water activities that the family loves. Jason considers himself a lifelong learner and is always ready to try a new activity, travel to a new spot, or delve into a new subject.