Retiring Upstream: Finding Happiness and Security in the Transition of a Lifetime

Events like the tech bubble, the housing bubble and the Great Recession have set back retirement for many people. This book, Retiring Upstream: Finding Happiness and Security in the Transition of a Lifetime, will help readers move from their working life to retirement more smoothly and successfully. It is written with special attention to Japanese American history, community and culture. Japanese American community organizations have also been challenged in the last few years with deep cuts in government support coinciding with reductions in charitable contributions. Their members are typically unaware that their personal retirement goals can often be accomplished more easily and quickly by including charitable strategies. Retiring Upstream shows readers how to: (1) Get your retirement back on track after the Great Recession (2) Create a multi-generation legacy for your family and community (3) Partner with your favorite community organization, church or temple to maximize the impact of your generosity, increase your income and lower your taxes (4) Make the most of Social Security and Medicare benefits The authors, Alan Kondo, CFP, CLU, CCA and Akemi Kondo Dalvi have a commitment to their clients and their community and have written this book as a way to benefit both.

ALAN T. KONDO, CFP, CLU, CCA Alan Kondo, a specialist in retirement and estate planning, is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Collaborative Advisor. Kondo Wealth Advisors LLC, provides investment management and risk management as well as advisory services for retirement planning, estate planning and charitable planning. He is a regular columnist in the Rafu Shimpo on retirement and estate planning topics. He is the author of the book Path to Antei, A Japanese American Guide to Financial Success and a contributing author on Giving: Philanthropy for Everyone. He received his Bachelor's degree at the University of Toronto, and his Master's degree from Loyola Marymount University. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he is married to Ruth Wakabayashi, a retired teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District. They have three daughters, Kimiko, Akemi and Masayo. He continues to give his time and talent generously to community organizations such as Keiro Senior Healthcare, Little Tokyo Service Center, Japanese American Community and Cultural Center, Japanese American National Museum, East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, and Japanese American Cultural and Community Center Northern California. Alan was a recipient of the Steven Tatsukawa Memorial Fund Award, given to individuals committed to the progress of the Asian Pacific American community. He was a key creative force in Visual Communications, an Asian Pacific media and resource center. Before going independent as a Registered Investment Advisor, KWA was Transamerica's top Advisory Firm and received Transamerica s Leading Producer and Outstanding Advisory Services Achievement awards. KWA became an independent Registered Investment Advisor in 2011 motivated by Alan's goal to have our clients be our only boss and better achieve their goals with trusted advice, considerate care and the best financial strategies available. AKEMI KONDO-DALVI, CPA Akemi Kondo Dalvi is a Financial Advisor in the field of retirement planning and investment management. She has worked with Kondo Wealth Advisors, LLC ( KWA ), a professional wealth management practice since 2008. Akemi is also employed as a Registered Representative of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. ( PKS ), a registered broker-dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC. Akemi is an Investment Advisor Representative in the state of California. Prior to working as a Financial Advisor, Akemi worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP ( PwC ), a global professional services firm. She joined Transamerica in 2008. In 2010, Akemi received her Series 7 license as a General Securities Representative and her Series 66 license as an Investment Advisor Representative. Akemi holds the professional designation of Certified Public Accountant ( CPA ) awarded in 2008 by the California Board of Accountancy. Akemi is also licensed to sell life insurance and long term care in the state of California. Akemi is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Akemi was born in Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in the field of Accounting. She is married to Ashay and they have a son, Aiden.