Talk about being kicked when you’re already down. That’s the feeling many small business owners have as they ponder retirement in these tough financial times. Surviving the recession is one thing, but retiring in one seems next to impossible. The Wall Street Journal considered this topic in a recent article aptly titled “'The Economy Stole My Retirement.'” If you are a small business owner on the one hand – a role that requires flexibility and ingenuity – and a baby-boomer on the other, then this recession has been more than a case of terrible timing. No, it’s thrust you into “business purgatory.” Do you find yourself with one foot in management and the other foot (or maybe just that big toe) in the golden sands of retirement? A baby boomer who is a small business owner faces a very tough call right now. Should he or she sell for the best offer today, which is generally the low-ball offer, or hold out for some future value which more accurately reflects what the business is truly worth? A tough call, indeed. For the owners of small businesses and the heads of family businesses, make no mistake about the difficulty of your position. It’s impossible to foretell the future, but since you already know what is most valuable to you (your family and your business), take the time to carefully weigh your options and seek appropriate professional counsel.
Reference: The Wall Street
Journal (September 12, 2012) “'The Economy Stole My Retirement'”
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