"Retirement for "Average' Folks,GÇ¥ a free informational workshop to be hosted by Pierce County officials in the South Hill and Spanaway areas next month, explores what most people will face when they approach retirement. The goal of the presentations is to help people prepare for their retirement years based on costs and resources available in Pierce County, said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of the county's Aging and Disability Resources. "Many people have a goal to retire someday,GÇ¥ said Van Valkenburg. "However, there are inescapable realities that will make those retirement days different from what advertising often describesGÇ¥ about such things as investing. The average length of retirement today is about 18 years. Yet, the average 50-year-old has $43,000 in retirement savings. About one-third of people that age have no savings at all and will rely solely on Social Security benefits, Van Valkenburg said. At the same time, the cost of living GÇô including health care GÇô continues to outpace increases in benefits. "Retirement for "Average' FolksGÇ¥ will examine the retirement experience that most people without significant savings will have and the resources that will be available to them, Van Valkenburg explained. In addition, the workshop will focus on ways for retirees to be active and independent long-term. The workshop is scheduled for: " Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at the South Hill branch of Pierce County Library System, located at 15420 Meridian E. " Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Parkland-Spanaway branch of the library system, 13718 Pacific Ave. S. In case of bad weather, 253-798-8787 can be called for information about possible postponements or cancellations of the events. Additional information about the workshops is available from Aging and Disability Resource Center at 253-798-4600 or 800-562-0332.
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