Community Corner
On Jan. 17th in Forest Park: ‘Retirement Planning After a Pandemic’
In library program, Dr. Jim Flanagan of Bentron Financial Group helps those at or near retirement navigate post-pandemic economic terrain
The COVID-19 pandemic has added a disruptive layer to the already-uncertain economic terrain experienced by many people at or near retirement.
As a result, it is more crucial than ever to be proactive and resilient in response to the global shake-up. That message is at the heart of “Retirement Planning After a Pandemic,” a practical guide for retirees and near-retirees that has been developed by Dr. Jim Flanagan, founder of Bentron Financial Group.
He brings the program Tuesday, January 17th to the Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd. The one-hour session begins in the library’s Austin Room at 7 p.m.
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To register, visit the Forest Park library event listing at https://tinyurl.com/ForestParkRPAP. Anyone with questions about the program should contact Skye Lavin at slavin@fppl.org or 708-366-7171.
Among other topics, Flanagan discusses how everyone can embrace technology (such as FaceTime, Zoom and other Internet-based platforms), strengthen their relationships with healthcare providers, keep household essentials well stocked, and bolster their financial positioning in a variety of other ways.
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One section covers planning for income, planning for risks, and planning for family---all interwoven topics that are fleshed out during the program.
“The last three years have really been a wake-up call—anything can happen and come unannounced,” said Flanagan. “Now is a good time to take a step back and see where you stand, whether it’s in your career, your retirement, or your overall life situation. Many people are asking themselves, ‘What changes do I want to make and what changes should I make?’”
Flanagan has sensed an urgency among people who have a newfound motivation to address a host of financial matters. Estate planning is a particularly popular topic.
“People are now starting to really question the time they have,” he said. “This program is a good catalyst for you to check your preparedness and identify those areas of your life that you need to focus on.”
A financial gerontologist, Dr. Flanagan founded Bentron Financial Group in 2001. He has built a comprehensive practice that combines professional expertise with vast experience in coming alongside clients as they make crucial decisions with far-reaching impact.
For over 30 years, Flanagan has provided financial guidance to people at or near retirement. Over that time, he has become a nationally recognized expert on financial issues impacting older adults and late-life transitions.
He has served on the Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services Committee since 2008. In 2010, he founded the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, a not-for-profit organization that provides seniors with emergency services and raises public awareness of issues affecting seniors in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.
Flanagan is the author of Packing For Retirement: A Practical Guide to Prepare for Retirement at Any Age, which offers a comprehensive overview of the myriad facets of retirement planning. In addition, he has attained certification as a Master Registered Financial Consultant, a distinction that reflects integrity and transparency in business and is achieved by fewer than one percent of financial professionals.
For more information about Bentron Financial Group, visit www.bentron.com.
