COLONIE—Being prepared financially is one of the greatest and most important ways to plan for retirement, according to representatives from Colonie Senior Service Centers (CSSC), the town’s leading non-profit senior services organization. In view of that fact, it has announced that it will be hosting a financial fair on Wednesday, March 9, to help those who have either recently retired or are approaching retirement manage their financial futures. The program, “Boomers: Ready, Set, Retire” will be held at the Beltrone Living Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“We’ve had the name since we began holding the fair six or seven years ago,” said Ariana Wilson, CSSC communications specialist. “We’ve been toying around with changing the name, but like that it’s been consistent. But, the audience really is any age group. Even younger people can take great advantage from going to this fair because it’s never too early to start planning for retirement.”
According to Wilson, the most popular feature at the fair is a panel discussion led by Steven Bouchey, Certified Financial Planner at Bouchey Financial Group and host of “Let’s Talk Money” on NewsTalk Radio. The panel, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., will provide information about many of the top financial concerns for those approaching retirement. The panel will be composed of leaders in the banking, financial planning, senior housing, estate planning, and long term insurance fields, and will include Clare Colamaria from A Senior’s Choice, LLC; Brian Johnson from National Long Term Care Brokers; Kevin McCoy of Marvin & Co.; Rick Rowlands of Rowlands & Lebrou, PLLC; and Kevin Smith from Berkshire Bank.
Additionally, a number of various financial institutions and companies that are experienced with retirement planning have been invited to spread their wealth of knowledge to recent and future retirees. Exhibitors will include sponsors Berkshire Bank and Bouchey Financial Group, as well as Capital Bank, CDPHP, First Niagara, Marvin & Company, M&T Bank, National Long Term Care Brokers, Rowlands & LeBrou, and A Senior’s Choice.
“People that are looking towards their retirement may not know exactly what to do with their mortgages, whether to reverse them, or where to put their money,” said Wilson. “Even at 23, I could benefit from learning how to allocate my funds and which savings accounts I should be using—all of that changes as you age and as you advance in your career or your family grows. There are so many pieces that play into the bigger picture of how you should be managing your retirement.”
The event is free and open to the public; cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided by PRIME Life of Mazzone Hospitality. More than 100 attendees are expected, so arrive early for a good seat. For more information, call 459-2857 ext. 337 or visit www.colonieseniors.org.