Choosing Happiness 

In a world with so many different types of people, it's unrealistic to believe any secret formula exists that will magically make people happier.

Or is it?

A growing body of scientific and anecdotal evidence provides quantifiable proof that much of our happiness is, to a large degree, within our control.

And since most people we know would rather be happy than unhappy, we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you today two of those choices in hopes it can make a positive difference in your life. 

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."

- Dalai Lama -   

Here are two not-so-secret "Secrets to Happiness" we're only too happy to share with you today:   

1.  Expressing Gratitude

In her book "The How of Happiness," scientist and University of California, Riverside Professor Sonjia Lyubomirsky writes that, while gratitude itself can make a difference in the amount of happiness one feels, it's the expression of gratitude which really ups the happiness ante.

Elsewhere, one very engaging media upstart, SoulPancake, was inspired by the findings of a 2005 study entitled "Positive Psychological Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions" to create an experiment designed to test the paper's proposition that expressing gratitude increases happiness.  "The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude" is a popular seven minute video produced by the firm highlighting some surprising, and heartfelt, conclusions.

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls."

- Aesop -  

2.  Lifetime Income

This is a topic that hits a little closer to home in our firm's Structured Settlement and Retirement Income practices because we see it every day.

So much is being written on this subject lately, it's getting hard to keep up.  But one need look no further than the FINANCIAL PLANNING and RETIREMENT sections of Time magazine, among many other sources, the past few years to see the connection between steady, lifetime income and happiness:

"The New Retirement:  Forget Being Rich, All We Want Is Peace of Mind," (May 13, 2013)

It seems the Great Recession has cured many of us of the risk-taking mentality that preoccupied us prior to the Big Meltdown.

". . . guaranteed income and protecting assets were four times more important than achieving high-risk returns." 

 

"Lifetime Income Stream Key to Retirement Happiness," (July 30, 2012)

A few years ago, Britain implemented a Measuring National Well-being Programme designed to measure how its citizens felt about a number of things.  In other words, what made them happy.  The results of the first survey revealed that those who were receiving regular pension income were among the most happy.

". . . retirees with a guaranteed lifetime income stream can find true happiness."

"The Future of Retirement? 401(k)s That Look Like Old-Fashioned Pensions" (May 16, 2012)

Defined contribution plans like 401(k)s have gradually replaced the traditional defined benefit pension options which many of our parents and grandparents enjoyed.  But all that is changing.  Employers, with some encouragement from the federal government, are beginning to add lifetime annuity options to their 401(k) offerings.

" . . . those with a guaranteed income stream are happier."   

 

Armed with this knowledge, allow me to help kick off the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday by expressing how grateful I am that you take the time to read the newsletters and web logs we work hard to create with your well-being in mind.

And having personally been involved in helping thousands of people over the years with their structured settlement and annuity decisions, I remain ever grateful for the many opportunities clients give me to help them secure their financial futures.  Many of these folks are enjoying the lifetime income choices we helped them make years ago.  

So whether you are:   

- An insurance claims professional who wants to add a little extra happiness boost to your next settlement offer;   

- A plaintiff attorney who wants to experience the happiness that naturally comes from lowering your current year tax obligation by structuring your attorney fee on a tax-advantaged basis; or, 

- Anyone eager to learn how you can join the happiness trend by converting a portion of your 401(k), IRA or other savings balance into a guaranteed lifetime income stream,  

Let us know how we can help you.  That's what we do.  We help people.  And quite often, they end up happier as a result.  

So THANK YOU for the opportunity to be of service and best wishes for continued success . . .  

. . . and happiness!  

Dan Finn, CPCU, CSSC

Certified Structured Settlement Consultant

[email protected]