Making Your Retirement Everything You Dreamed It Would Be. Imagine waking up on your first day of retirement. What will you do all day? Play golf? Romp with the grandkids? Go sailing or take a trip? You'll need a plan to turn your dreams into reality. On that first morning, you'll want to awaken to a retirement lifestyle that is as comfortable, or more, as when you were at the peak of your career.

Planning a Legacy for Loved Ones. After decades of working hard, saving, and investing, it's common to want to share what you've accumulated with those around you. If you are one of millions of Americans who are concerned about leaving something to family members or a favorite charity, now is the time to begin planning your legacy. Employing the appropriate giving strategies now may help increase the value of your gifts both to yourself and your intended heirs.

Educating Your Children. If you have children and you want them to attend college, the first day of classes will be here sooner than you expected. When that day comes, you'll likely face one of two scenarios. It could be that you'll wave good-bye as your child's car pulls out of the driveway packed with school supplies and dorm furniture, knowing that you've planned well for the expenses — expected or otherwise — that the next four years are certain to bring.

Or you could wave good-bye with a lump in your throat, wondering if the next four years will be filled with loan applications, financial aid requests, and the specter of having to scrimp and save to make each tuition payment.

Protecting Your Home. Part of the American Dream is to own a house. But having a home that you work to make a special place, where you raise a family and spend your happiest moments, is much more than just having a roof over your head. It's a major financial commitment to own and maintain a home, so it's important to think of it as one of your most important investments — one that needs to be protected. Planning to safeguard your investment in your home is critical to help ensure it will be there to protect your family for years to come.

One way to help ensure your family can pay off the mortgage if something should ever happen to you is to consider insurance products for mortgage protection. The death benefit from the appropriate Permanent Life or Term Life insurance policy can help your family retire the mortgage and help preserve their current lifestyle and their dreams for the future. Protecting your family's future now may help you put your fears to rest so you can focus on living like you want to.