Retire Secure!: Pay Taxes Later - The Key to Making Your Money Last, 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

James Lange (Author), Larry King (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470405317 | ISBN-13: 978-0470405314 | Publication Date: February 9, 2009 | Edition: 2

A comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to maximizing the benefits of IRAs and retirement assets. Retire Secure, Second Edition offers unbeatable recommendations for addressing the #1 fear facing most readers: Running Out of Money. Retire Secure, Second Edition also shows baby boomers nearing retirement how they can save tens of thousands to over one million dollars by paying taxes later. This practical guide delivers straight forward accumulation and distribution strategies for IRAs, Roth IRAs, the new Roth 401(k) and other retirement plans. More specifically, Lange gives readers tips on how to prepare for expected tax changes in 2010, details on converting to Roth IRAs, New Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) rules, and when IRA and retirement plan owners should consider second to die life insurance. Further, this book describes Lange's exceptional estate plan--a plan that has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and many other fine financial journals. This definitive guide enjoys glowing endorsements from Charles Schwab, Larry King, Ed Slott and 60 other financial authors and experts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jim Lange’s advice on Roth IRA conversions could yield substantial benefits for millions of IRA owners. His recommendations on estate planning show you how to protect the surviving spouse while preserving options to "stretch" the inherited IRA to children, grandchildren or a trust-- whatever the surviving spouse decides."
—Jane Bryant Quinn, Newsweek/Bloomberg.com

"Retire Secure! (2^nd Edition) shows how to maximize retirement income while explaining IRA and retirement plan rules in language you can understand (and that is no easy task). Every retiree should read James Lange’s chapter on Optimal Spending Strategies for Retirees."
—Gregory Kolojeski, President, Brentmark Software, Editor, www.rothira.com

"You've worked hard to build-up your retirement funds – now, finish the job and read the new edition of Lange's Retire Secure!. You should carefully examine each of his main points, and take full advantage of his suggestions to stretch your money as long as possible before paying taxes. In these troubled times, Lange's ideas are particularly relevant."
—John A. Tracy, Ph.D., CPA; Author, How to Read a Financial Report and Accounting For Dummies

"In Retire Secure!, CPA and tax attorney James Lange provides clear guidance for understanding the process of making your money last during distribution. The author is an experienced advisor and it shows. His expertise and thinking also provides quality information on available tax-efficient ways to save for retirement."
—Phyllis Bernstein, CPA/PFS; Former Director, AICPA Director of Personal Financial Planning; Author, Managing Client Expectations in an Uncertain Market and Financial Planning for CPAs

"Read this book before you meet with any tax or financial advisor about how to get the most out of your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plans. Retire Secure! will help you ask the right questions and find out if your advisors really know what they’re talking about."
—Paul Merriman, Financial Educator; Founder, Merriman Berkman Next Author, Live It Up Without Outliving Your Money

"Written for the sophisticated and successful lay person (and a great guide for professionals working in this field), Retire Secure! is like a master class in the subject with the instructor taking the student by the hand through each step of the process. Jim Lange, a practicing CPA and attorney, provides both key real world questions and answers—as well as numerous examples, illustrations, and practical side-bar comments."
—Stephan R. Leimberg, CEO Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI).

"Jim Lange is a clear and concise communicator. He takes the complicated and makes it simple. Retire Secure! is a must read for anyone wanting a secure financial future."
—Diane L. McCurdy, CFP; Author, How Much is Enough?

"There are few areas of financial planning more complex than making decisions about retirement plans. Retire Secure! (2^nd edition) not only explains many of these issues in plain English but Jim provides the reader with common sense guidance in making choices. As advocates of the important role that philanthropy plays in raising financially responsible children, we especially appreciate the inclusion of a chapter on charitable estate planning with IRA and retirement assets."
—Eileen Gallo, Ph.D and Jon Gallo, J.D.; Authors, Silver Spoon Kids and The Financially Intelligent Parent

"Jim has done a brilliant job making a complicated topic easy to understand. His "Mini Case Studies" and "Key Ideas" in Retire Secure! are smart and spot on."
—Bill Losey, CFP, Author, Retire in a Weekend! The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Making Work Optional

"Jim Lange has updated and improved his material in the second addition of this fine book. We have always said that the planning comes before the doing. He tells you how to plan your retirement, to maximize your wealth and to minimize your taxes."
—Garry D. Kinder, CLU, RFC, Author, Lecturer and Financial Industry Consultant, The KBI Group

"IRA and other retirement plan assets comprise a huge and growing component of so many people’s wealth, yet the growth in these important assets requires sound, practical, and most importantly understandable advice. All had been lacking until this excellent book, Retire Secure!, by James Lange. James brings to the fore practical tact usable by both attorney and accountant on how to deal with these critical assets. Topics that he delves into, including using trusts to protect beneficiaries are topics that few lay people are aware of and most professionals don’t address. Protect yourself and your family with the insightful comments of Retire Secure!
—Martin M. Shenkman, Attorney; Author, Livings Wills & Health Care Proxies and Inherit More

"My daddy always said it is not what you make, but what you keep that makes you rich. Lange’s updated book is an excellent resource for keeping more money by reducing your taxes. Follow his plan for a secure retirement and you won’t get lost."
—Katherine Vessenes, JD, CFP, RFC Vestment Advisors; Author, Protecting Your Practice, Building Your Multi-Million Dollar Practice

"Like the original, the updated 2nd Edition of Retire Secure! does a fine job of explaining why, when and how folks should move money into, out of, and between the myriad tax-advantaged employer-sponsored retirement savings plans and IRAs. The key points are summarized clearly, but a more thorough, equally clear explanation is also offered for those who want it. The book is well-organized, with plenty of practical examples. It will be a valuable resource to people in both the accumulation and distribution of their retirement assets—and to their advisors, as well."
—Michael T. Palermo, Attorney, Certified Financial Planner™; Author, AARP Crash Course in Estate Planning

"This new version of Retire Secure! is even better than the first. It shows you more great ideas to help you achieve the most important financial goal of your life. Make your money last and go further than you ever thought possible."
—Brian Tracy, Speaker, Sales Trainer; Author, Getting Rich Your Own Way

"In today’s volatile market, the peril of building wealth on short-term growth strategies has never been more evident. James does a great job of explaining the "hows" and "whys" of a long-term view with an eye to building money and protecting it when you are ready to spend it. Learning the keys of distribution planning, and how it leads to retiring with peace and security makes Retire Secure! a ‘must read’."
—Peter M. Vessenes, RFC, CEO, Vestment Advisors, Inc.; Author, Building Your Multi-Million Dollar Practice

"Book authors can deduct many expenses other people cannot. The next step is to hold on to what you have made. This book is the roadmap, plan and guide to making that money last."
—Dan Poynter, Author, The Self-Publishing Manual

"Everyone planning for retirement should read this book."
— Dr. Allan Meltzer, American Economist/ Political Economy Professor at Carnegie Mellon University

"Advisor James Lange has written the definitive up-to-the-minute guide for retirement planning. Retire Secure! is absolutely "essential" reading for all practitioners in the estate and retirement planning field, as well as for those brave souls who take this task on as a do-it-yourself project."
—Jack Gargan, Founder, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC); Author, The Complete Estate Planning Guide

"Retire Secure! should be in everyone’s home who has money to invest. This book will help everyone prepare for their retirement years. It is well written and in language that anyone can understand. It shows you exactly what you need to know to set your lifetime goals, and it gives you an understanding of everything you should know about your finances. This book is for everyone and I recommend it. This book will be put on my shelf for my children and grandchildren to read."
—Frank Thomas, Former Pittsburgh Pirate

"Retire Secure! is one of the best educational tools and reference manuals ever available! Retire Secure! serves as a text for a comprehensive financial planning course on retirement, or a must-read for any person looking for complete and accurate information to make intelligent decisions about his or her own financial affairs. Retire Secure! will certainly have a long shelf life."
—Al Coletti, CLU, ChFC, RFC, Chairman, The Institute for Financial Education, The Design Capital Planning Group, Inc.

"If you are a financial planner and think you know everything, think again. This book will show you new ways to help clients and make you more referable in the process. An absolute must for every practicing financial planner in America."
—Bill Cates, President, Referral Coach Institute; Author, Get More Referrals Now

"As I write this in November 2008, there are undoubtedly many people who wish they had read and applied Retire Secure! earlier. James Lange has written a strategy for a secure retirement. It is an extremely well-written book, and I heartily recommend it."
—Bill Good, Chairman, Bill Good Marketing, Inc.; Author, Hot Prospects: The Proven Prospecting System

"A roadmap for tax-efficient retirement and estate planning."
—Charles R. Schwab, Chairman and founder The Charles Schwab Corporation

"A clear, concise, and well-written book that explains where and how to save for retirement so that you don't outlive your assets, pay too much in taxes, or have too little to pass on to your heirs. In non-technical terms, James Lange compares and contrasts ...

Review

"Retire Secure! is your playbook for winning the retirement game and beyond.  I highly recommend it to both consumers and professional financial advisors."
--Ed Slott, Author, Parlay Your IRA Into a Family Fortune

"Retire Secure! is a very practical investment guide on how to defer taxes and efficiently plan for retirement and your estate."
--Roger G. Ibbotson, Ph.D., Professor,Yale University, World leader in asset allocation, Chairman, Ibbotson Assoc.

"Every retiree should read Jim Lange’s chapter on Spend the Right Funds First!"
--Gregory Kolojeski, President of Brentmark Software

"…Jim delves into topics that few lay people are aware of and most professionals don’t address. Protect yourself and your family with the excellent comments of Retire Secure!"
--Martin M. Shenkman, Attorney, CPA, MBA Author, Inherit More

"Retire Secure! shows you how to make your money last longer and go further than you ever imagined possible."
--BRIAN TRACY, Strategic Planner Author, Something for Nothing

"Retire Secure! does a fine job of explaining why, when and how folks should move money into, out of, and between the myriad tax-advantaged employer-sponsored retirement savings plans and IRAs. The key points are summarized clearly, but a more thorough, equally clear explanation is also offered for those who want it.

The book is well-organized, with plenty of practical examples.  It will be a valuable resource to people in both the accumulation and distribution of their retirement assets - and to their advisors, as well."
--Michael T. Palermo, Attorney, Certified Financial Planner™ Author, AARP Crash Course in Estate Planning

"The frequent mini-case studies throughout Retire Secure! are very beneficial.  They help give readers a full understanding of a complicated topic and how to apply that topic to their own situation."
--Paul Richard, RFC Exec. Director Institute of Consumer Financial Education

"I hope this book will be a blessing for readers"
--Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Minister, The Hour of Power Author, If it is Going to Be it is Up to Me

"Jim offers the best advice I’ve read on making your dollars go the longest distance, for you and your loved ones."
--John A. Tracy, Ph.D., CPA Author, Accounting for Dummies

"Keeping your investment expenses low and following Jim Lange’s tax savings strategies are the surest routes to a comfortable retirement."
--Burton G. Malkiel, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, Princeton University Author, A Random Walk Down Wall Street

"Nice girls eventually become old women who want to retire. Let this book help you to ensure you have all the money you need to live your life the way you want at retirement."
--LOIS P. FRANKEL, Ph.D. Author, Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich: 75 Avoidable Mistakes Women Make with Money

"I recommend Retire Secure! above all other books on retirement planning.  No other work features the famous Lange’s Cascading Beneficiary Plan™."
--Norman G. Levine, CLU, ChFC , RFC Author, A Passion for Compassion and Selling With Silk Gloves

"James Lange is a genius at making the most difficult subject of estate/retirement planning easy to understand. His book is an absolute must for anyone who wants the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will retire secure."
--ELEANOR SCHANO Former TV News Anchor Host “LifeQuest” WQED Multimedia

Praise for Retire Secure!—Geared Towards Professionals

"We recognize Retire Secure! by tax attorney Jim Lange of Pittsburgh PA, as the most definitive work available.  We have rated this volume as the most complete and the most authoritative retirement guide serving our industry."
--Fred R. Kissling, CLU, MSPA, AEP, RF Publisher, Financial Services Advisor magazine

"More than useful, Retire Secure! is an absolute essential for advisors because it helps you best deal with the many risks involved. Attorney James Lange did most of the difficult planning work for you."
--Louisa M. Montecalvo, CEP, CCPS College Advisors Group, LLC

"Jim created the most flexible and effective estate guide for IRA and retirement plan owners."
--Charles “Tremendous” Jones, RFC CEO, Executive Books International speaker, sales trainer Author, Life Is Tremendous

"Every financial advisor ought to have a copy of Retire Secure! at his or her fingertips, plus copies to give more serious clients.   After clients have been taught how to save and where to place their investments, James Lange's book, Retire Secure! is the definitive answer to the very important tax considerations."
--Vernon D. Gwynne, CFP, RFC Former Executive Director of the IAFP now FPA

"Distribution planning is where every financial advisor needs to be who is serious about helping clients and getting their professional practice to the next level."
--Peter M. Vessenes, RFC Author, Building Your Multi-Million Dollar Practice

"Retire Secure! will help provide the education that financial advisors need to reduce their potential liabilities."
--Jerry Reiter, CEO/Chairman Financial Advisors Legal Association

"Retire Secure! is one of the best educational tools and reference manuals ever available! Retire Secure! serves as a text for a comprehensive financial planning course on retirement. Retire Secure! will certainly have a long shelf life."
--Al Coletti, CLU, ChFC, RFC Chairman, Institute for Financial Education

"Retire Secure! is absolutely "essential" reading for all practitioners in the estate and retirement planning field."
--Jack Gargan, Founder Intl. Assoc. of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC)

"Jim Lange's book is a must in the retirement library of anyone with a large IRA.  Not only does it provide thorough coverage of a difficult topic, but it does so with crisp writing, surrounded with charts and tables to help you understand your options."
--Robert S. Keebler, CPA, MST Editor in Chief, Journal of Retirement Planning Author, A CPA’s Guide to the New IRAs

"Only in Retire Secure! will you learn how to better accumulate wealth in a logical, realistic, practical, and legally structured (protected) way.  You will also learn when trusts in estate planning documents can be a disaster!"
--Lew Nason, RFC Speaker, Marketing Consultant / Insurance Pro Shop

Additional testimonials (37 and counting) available at www.RetireSecure.com/testimonial --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (February 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470405317
• ISBN-13: 978-0470405314
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Lange, CPA/Attorney has thirty years experience helping IRA and retirement plan owners. Jim has written two editions of the best seller Retire Secure! (Wiley 2006, 2009), The Roth Revolution:Pay Taxes Once and Never Again and has been quoted 30 times in The Wall Street Journal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos from someone who should know, August 8, 2006

By 

Michael Palermo (Lexington, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Retire Secure!: Pay Taxes Later -- The Key to Making Your Money Last as Long as You Do (Hardcover)

As an attorney & author of "The AARP Crash Course in Estate Planning," I was asked by James Lange to review Retire Secure! several months ago. I've never met Jim, and agreed only reluctantly - but I'm glad I did. First, let me assure everyone: you certainly don't have to be a lawyer to understand Jim's writing.

Jim has done a fine job of explaining why, when and how folks should move money into, out of, and between the myriad tax-advantaged, employer-sponsored retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts. The key points are summarized clearly, but a more thorough, equally clear explanation is also offered for those who want it.

The book is well-organized, with plenty of practical examples. It will be a valuable resource to people in both the accumulation and distribution of their retirement assets - and to their advisors, as well.

Many people find retirement planning intimidating simply because of the sheer number of rules and options that must be considered. Retire Secure! lays them all out in a logical and easy-to-follow format.

That's the key for anyone trying to understand this subject. Retire Secure! should be a cornerstone of everyone's personal financial planning library.

Mike Palermo, JD, CFP

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Retire Secure-Solid Advice For All, October 20, 2006

By 

Mike Maher (Saltsburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Retire Secure!: Pay Taxes Later -- The Key to Making Your Money Last as Long as You Do (Hardcover)

Reading "Retire Secure" will not alone make you rich. However, if you read and follow Mr. Lange's advice, you will build wealth and then protect it to the fullest extent possible. The book outlines a very clear path to maximize savings using the most effective vehicle available to you. Then it goes on to provide a thorough roadmap to minimizing your tax consequences and maximizing your after tax returns. Finally the book provides several different strategies for passing along wealth to your heirs while once again factoring in the greedy hands of Uncle Sam. The author not only provides you with the theory, as many financial planners do, but backs up his recommendations with solid proofs and confirms them with amusing case studies. Overall this book is an excellent source for information on the use of retirement funds for wealth building and hopefully inheritance to pass on.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harness the Power of Your Retirement Plan!, August 14, 2006

By 

Scuba Diver (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Retire Secure!: Pay Taxes Later -- The Key to Making Your Money Last as Long as You Do (Hardcover)

James Lange's "Retire Secure" is a superb example of why positioning assets correctly--i.e. pay taxes later--is so vital to retirement. Lange encourages readers to harness the power of tax-free/tax-deferred growth by maximizing their contributions to individual retirement accounts (both Traditional and Roth) as well as 401k plans. Through the use of numerous illustrations and specific age-related examples Lange clearly identifies the exponential growth potential that is possible by choosing to maximize retirement contributions and the obvious advantages of starting early. My one detraction on this work is the minimal mention of the use of real estate, especially provisions of the 1031 exchange that would surely compliment the philosophy of maximizing retirement savings growth. All in all though, a great job of bringing into focus the value of contributing more, earlier, and ultimately establishing a portfolio to pay taxes later. Well done, a solid 4-Star work!