Retirement Planning Made Easy was designed to educate you about an approach to retirement income planning that differs from the dated, one-size-fits-all philosophies that can all too often put you, your money, and your family at risk. It offers a blueprint for planning a safer, more secure, low-risk retirement.

The book is intended to explain retirement income as distinct from other kinds of investing; inform you about important tips and potential pitfalls; provide a solid base of knowledge about the retirement income landscape; empower you to take ownership of your retirement income planning; and support you in choosing the right professionals to help with this process.

Even though I recommend finding an advisor to work with as you begin assembling your retirement portfolio, I also advocate for you to be a well-educated consumer who can participate in the process with intelligence and awareness. You don't have to be an expert, but you can be prepared to evaluate the professionals and their strategies, do your due diligence, and make the right choices for yourself.

As you learned in the book, much of the planning process requires you to contemplate and answer important questions--from emotional ones about your life, plans, and risk tolerance to practical ones about your financial position and health, among others. Some of the process also requires you to gather information that you and the advisor will need to properly plan and executre your strategy.

As I wrote the book, I realized that it would be helpful for many readers to address all these questions, reflections and information-gathering in a structured manner. That's why I developed this companion workbook. Chapter by chapter, it consolidates the essentials from each section of the book, and leads you through the process of answering the key questions. It will literally help you "fill in all the blanks."

When you begin working with a financial advisor you trust, you'll find it infinitely more productive if you have answered organized yourself. Ths workbook will help you do so--efficiently and completely. When you have done your part, the advisor will better be able to do his/hers (and will no doubt be pleasantly surprised to discover you're so well-prepared).

Use this workbook to personalize and fill in the vitals you learned about in the book, and start to optimize the money that you have--for the life that you want in retirement.