Retirement Headquarters

(NAPS)—Creating a financial plan without protecting yourself against the unexpected has been compared to building a beautiful mansion on sticks of wood.

No matter how much wealth you accumulate, it’s a good idea to consider what your plan is built upon or it can easily collapse.

A sound financial plan looks a lot like a pyramid and consists of three parts—protection against life’s uncertainties, growing your investments and managing your retirement and estate. Here are some things to consider when you build the foundation of your finan­cial plan:

Emergency Savings. Many financial professionals say you should always have enough money on hand to pay everyday living expenses for three to six months. Ideally, emergency savings should be in vehicles such as savings, checking and money market accounts which provide easy, penalty-free access.

Insurance. Insurance forms the underpinning of your financial plan. Life insurance helps protect your family and loved ones against financial difficulties in the event of your premature death.

Disability insurance replaces lost income in the event you become ill or disabled and can’t work.

Health insurance helps pay for the ever-increasing costs of med­ical procedures.  

A financial plan is only as strong as its foundation, which helps protect against life’s uncertainties.

Long-term care insurance goes beyond medical care to include assistance you could need if a chronic illness or disability leaves you unable to care for yourself for an extended period of time.

Property/Casualty insurance provides protection for property like homes, cars and household posses­sions, in addition to protection from liability as a result of their use.

A financial advisor, such as a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advi­sors, can help you create a strong foundation to ensure your family’s financial security no matter what road bumps you hit along the way.