By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

There are many things that can yield happiness during retirement: grandchildren, free time, long-awaited travel, afternoons on the golf course or at lunch with friends. But without financial security, it can be more difficult to truly enjoy your "freedom years."

According to Cathy Gray, a retirement counselor at Monarch Landing, an Erickson retirement community in Naperville, one of the most important financial considerations for older adults is being able to avoid unexpected expenses and protect their nest eggs with solid, guaranteed investments.

Avoid unexpected expenses
For example, Gray says, Monarch Landing’s fixed monthly service package, which includes all household expenses, utilities (except phone), and one meal a day at one of the community’s restaurants, better enables people to prepare for their futures.

"A perfect example is now that winter is here, many people won’t turn the heat on in their homes until absolutely necessary, even if they’re cold, to avoid expensive utility bills," Gray says. "But that isn’t an issue here at Monarch Landing because their monthly costs are fixed" for the year.

Gray says most people find that the all-inclusive monthly service package is very affordable. And recently, to make the Erickson retirement lifestyle attainable for even more people, Monarch Landing reduced the cost of the monthly service package.

Protect your nest egg
Monarch Landing Marketing Director Greg Mrumlinski says another feature that draws financially savvy retirees to the community is the 100% refundable entrance deposit. He says people have worked hard to build their nest eggs and want to know their money will be safe. It achieves something few investments can promise these days—a guaranteed return.

"Clearly the 100% refundable entrance deposit gives people peace of mind," Mrumlinski says.

With the housing market in flux, Gray says the financial security people find at Monarch Landing is a more attractive retirement option than ever before.