Review of Reconfigurement

[Lizzie Mustard]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Reconfigurement" by E. Alan Fleischauer.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Reconfigurement is a new word created by the author and means “to plan ahead.” When you’re in your 30s and 40s, retirement seems a long way off, but with people living longer, a third of your life could be beyond the official retirement age. More of us will need to work later in life for financial reasons, and/ or to combat loneliness. Sufficient income in retirement is key to maintaining health and wellbeing in later life, and Reconfigurement helps you plan for this.
As well as financial security, the book suggests that job satisfaction and social interaction throughout your working life are also predictors of a successful old age. It encourages you to look at retirement options in the round. The author wants you to make the right choices while you are still working, and you can do this armed with information from this book.
E. Alan Fleischauer writes with humor and knowledge, and suggests practical and helpful ways to plan for retirement. The book is aimed at Americans as US statistics relating to retirement unpreparedness are given. For example, only 32% of Americans are putting (any) money into their 401(k) plan. The tax and legal advice in the book is also US specific.
Reconfigurement includes reviews of a number of career assessment questionnaires. These are helpful if you are considering changing your job or improving your work-life balance. The author evaluates each website’s offering; his comments could save you wasting money on unreliable tests.
He also explains 401(k) plans and IRA rules about saving and investing for a pension. The author’s background is in financial services and this shows. He uses his knowledge and experience to simplify a complex subject. He is careful to emphasize that he is only giving general tax and legal advice in the book. You need to speak to your own tax advisor and lawyer for personal advice.
There are informative chapters on health insurance and long-term care as we age. The book also covers what happens to our estate after we pass and why you should write a will. The book concludes with a comprehensive list of further reading.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and informative. It has been professionally edited and I found only one typo. I therefore give it a score of 5 stars out of 5.

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Reconfigurement
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