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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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PERSONAL FINANCE

Retirement planning can be daunting. But you don’t have to look further than the local bookstore or an online bookseller to find useful guides to retirement planning.

A bevy of books provide insights into retirement planning. A sampling:

•“The Everything Retirement Planning Book” by Judith B. Harrington and Stanley J. Steinberg; Adams Media, 2007 ($14.95). Discusses a wide range of retirement income issues, including Social Security, IRAs and working past retirement age.

•“Getting Started in a Financially Secure Retirement” by Henry Hebeler; Wiley, 2007 ($19.95). Covers pre- and post-retirement planning and effects of economic issues at large.

•“Tips to Building a Retirement Nest Egg” by Linda M. Mcgoon and Poonum Vasishth; Encouragement Press, 2007 ($14.95). Covers how to evaluate retirement needs and choose investments.

•“Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map” by Ed Slott; Ballentine Books, 2007 ($15.95). Uses a checklist approach to taking inventory of retirement financial need.

•“Standard and Poor’s Guide to Saving for Retirement” by Virginia B. Morris and Kenneth M. Morris; Lightbulb Press, 2006 ($15.95). Offers insights on employer and individual retirement plans, Social Security and planning ahead.

Renters insurance: Most homeowners have insurance that covers the loss of possessions in a fire, theft, or other covered peril. That’s not the case for renters.

Nationwide, 96 percent of homeowners have homeowners insurance (it’s a requirement of having a home loan) while only 43 percent of renters have renters insurance, industry statistics show.

Will renters insurance cover all of your possessions? It depends.

Some possessions – jewelry, computers – are often subject to a per-category theft limit (for example, some policies have a $5,000 limit for computers). When seeking information on renters policies, ask about the various category limits and how they apply to expensive items you own. You may purchase a floater, providing additional coverage for specific items not included in your basic policy.

From wire reports