With any retirement plan, it is important to consider your final plans and how your assets will be distributed if something happens to you. An unexpected find from the 2024 California State Employees Financial Preparedness Report was how few California workers have an updated will and medical directives in place. In fact, 73% don’t have an estate plan at all.
The Report found that only about 15% of the nearly 4,000 active workers for the State of California surveyed have an updated will, a trust, medical directives, financial power of attorney, and/or a healthcare power of attorney in place. The data further showed that only 37% of California State Retirees surveyed (N=1172) have an updated will or Trust in place.
“Actually, that’s not surprising at all,” said Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Russel L. Phelps III of Trinity Wealth Advisors in Folsom, CA. “It’s likely the same for the general population. No one likes to think about their death.”
That said, Phelps added that “most people who live in California and own real estate should have a living trust. The probate process in CA is costly and takes too much time,” he said. “A living trust helps avoid probate entirely.”
A recent CalPERS article on estate planning explains a will, a trust, and power of attorney documents:
- Will: Specifies your last wishes and appoints someone to carry them out, transfers your assets to beneficiaries after your death, and names guardians for minor children. It is administered by probate court.
- Living trust: Specifies your last wishes and appoints someone to carry them out. It transfers your assets into a trust while you’re alive, so they pass to beneficiaries once you’re gone. It names guardians for minor children and avoids probate court.
- Advanced health care directive: Names someone to manage your health care, and states in advance your decisions about life support and organ donation.
- Power of attorney: Names someone to handle your financial and legal affairs and act in your best financial interest. You can specify under what circumstances it goes into effect, the most typical being when you become incapacitated. If you are already a caregiver and lose mental clarity from aging or a health crisis, this can be a crucial document. Your CalPERS Special Power of Attorney is a separate document which should already be in place to conduct your CalPERS business.
Getting started with your estate plan
Phelps points to several online resources with templates for creating a living trust document, or suggests working with an attorney or financial advisor to obtain guidance for your specific situation. Another option may be to prepare your trust document online and then have an attorney review and execute it.
The online cost for a simple trust starts at around $500, yet the cost for attorney fees to prepare a living trust can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the trust and the region. Estimates from $1,500 to $3,000 or more. The overall cost will depend on whether you’re married or single, how complex your trust needs to be, and what state (or states) your assets are in. The more assets you have and the more complex your estate wishes are, the better it is to hire an estate planning attorney for a more accurate estimate based on your specific needs and circumstances.
Staying current
Experts advise keeping your life documents updated, revisiting and revising your wishes and directives as needed, but especially following major life events, such as a marriage, divorce, having a child, death, or real estate purchase. It’s also important to make sure your beneficiaries are current on any life insurance policies, pension documents, and financial and investment accounts.
While you may be hesitant to deal with conversations around your incapacitation or death, it’s better to take the time and be over-prepared rather than leaving loved ones trying to find answers in the wake of a tragedy.
Related Articles:
Behind Schedule in Saving for Retirement? 9 Tips from California State Retirees
Life Insurance Basics for California State Employees
On Track or Ahead of Schedule for Retirement? Chances Are You Do These 7 Things
Disclosure:
Advice provided by independent Private Wealth Advisor, Russel L. Phelps III, CFP®, CDFA®, APMA®, AWMA®, MSFP. Owner of Trinity Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC. CFP Certification #076423. CA Insurance #0B18900.
The views expressed here reflect the views of Russel Phelps, CFP as of May 1, 2024. These views may change as market or other conditions change. Actual investments or investment decisions made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances.
Before you purchase life insurance, be sure to consider the policy’s features, benefits, risks and fees, and whether it is appropriate for you, based upon your financial situation and objectives. Variable life insurance is a complex investment vehicle that is subject to market risk, including the potential loss of principal invested.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the U.S.
Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.
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About the Survey: The project was sponsored by the nonprofit California State Employees Association (CSEA) which provides member benefits to members of SEIU Local 1000, CSUEU Local 2579, Association of California State Supervisors and California State Retirees.
The 2024 Report is based on the quantitative study of California State employees across the state, examining their personal financial planning needs, concerns, attitudes, and behaviors for a secure retirement. The report includes insights gleaned from nearly 5,000 active and retired State employees surveyed in November 2023. Individual responses were strictly anonymous. N=3,817 Active employees analyzed at 95% confidence, ±2%. N=1,172 Retirees, 95% level of confidence, ±2% margin of error.
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Life Insurance Basics
for California State Employees
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for Retirement?
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Q & A with
Russel L. Phelps,
Certified Financial Planner
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