Personal Resources

Retirement Planning: Resources to prepare you for dream retirement

developer@evenbound.com (dupaco) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:22:41 GMT

Resources to help you prepare for your dream retirement

Whether retirement is a long way off or just around the corner, our resources can help you estimate your retirement needs, choose the right retirement savings accounts and invest wisely.

Plan for retirement

The benefits

We get it. Retirement planning can seem daunting.

But it might help to remember why retirement planning is so important. It may help provide you:

Financial security: You’ll want enough money to cover your basic expenses and other costs (like travel!).
Peace of mind: Knowing that you’re financially prepared can help you enjoy your retirement fully.
Flexibility: Whether you hope to travel or spend time with loved ones, a plan can help you get there.

When to start saving

Saving early and often gives your money time to grow
Ideally, you’ll begin putting away money in your 20s or as soon as you start working. Saving early and often gives your money more time to grow—taking advantage of the power of compound interest. It’s like a magical force that works behind the scenes, multiplying your money over time.

Here’s how compound interest works:

Save money: When you put your money in a savings account or invest it, you earn a little bit of extra money called dividends.
Earn money: When you keep saving, you earn more money not only for the amount you first put in but also for the extra money you earned over time. It’s like getting a bonus on top of your savings!
Watch it grow: This keeps happening over and over, and your money grows bigger and bigger. It’s like a snowball effect, resulting in exponential growth over time.

Calculate my savings Talk to a financial expert

How to start

Our free retirement planning guide can help you take it one step at a time

Imagine your dream retirement: Knowing how you want to spend your retirement—and the costs associated with that lifestyle—will help shape your budget.
Estimate your retirement needs: A good rule of thumb is that you’ll need about 70-80% of your pre-retirement income. But your lifestyle, health and location will affect your amount. A financial advisor can help you with this.
Know what other income you'll have: This can help you estimate how much money you’ll need to save: Will you have a pension? What about rental income? Will you work part-time? What will Social Security cover? (This Social Security calculator estimates your monthly benefits.) When will you claim Social Security? (Here’s what to consider as you decide when to claim your benefits.)
Set retirement savings goals: Once you know how much money you’ll need, a financial advisor can help you set realistic monthly savings goals.
Choose the right savings accounts: You might be able to save with multiple accounts, like an Individual Retirement Account* or an employer’s 401(k) retirement plan. Dupaco’s Launchpad savings account can also help you start saving.
* Contact your tax advisor to verify eligibility and contribution limits for IRAs.
Know your risk tolerance: You’ll want to choose investments that match your risk tolerance and time horizon. Are you willing to take on risk, or does the idea of volatility make your stomach turn?
Review your plan regularly: Your financial situation and retirement goals may change over time, so regularly reviewing your progress with a financial advisor is important

Learn more

Prepare for retirement

As you get closer to retirement, you'll want to prepare for your new lifestyle.
Some expenses can catch retirees off guard.

Here are some steps to help you get started:

Think about where you'll live: Will you downsize your home? If so, now’s a good time to start thinking about when and how you’ll do it. Will you have a home loan during retirement? Even if you won’t, some homeownership costs like property taxes and homeowner’s insurance are inevitable.
Consider vehicle costs: How often do you replace your vehicle? Will you continue that trend in retirement? Chances are, you’ll need a new vehicle at some point. It’s also important to consider ongoing maintenance and insurance costs.
Plan for health care: Healthcare costs can be eye-opening. Especially in retirement. While Medicare can reduce your expenses dramatically, you might still encounter costs that aren’t covered. Consider the cost of a Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug plan appropriate for you.
Consider your spending money: The saying goes, “If you aren’t making money, you’re spending money.” And it applies to retirement. It’s not uncommon for spending on travel and gifts to increase for new retirees. Include room in your budget for spending money.
Create a budget: Working with a financial expert to create a realistic budget for your retirement years is important. You’ll want to make sure your new income covers your new lifestyle. A free Dupaco Money Makeover can help you with this process.
Learn from other retirees: Don’t just take it from us. Check out the retirement advice from a recent retiree here. (Spoiler: He worked with a financial advisor to help him retire debt-free so he could enjoy his next adventure!)

Explore Retirement Calculators here

Building stability through homeownership: Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity

jfaley@dupaco.com (Jennifer Faley) — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:07:38 GMT

When the Walnut Neighborhood Association reached out to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity in 2016, the historic Waterloo neighborhood was struggling. Many homes were in disrepair, and vacant lots dotted the landscape where houses once stood. But the remaining residents believed Walnut could thrive again—and Iowa Heartland shared that vision.

Building pathways to possibility: How Operation Fresh Start is empowering youth in Madison

jfaley@dupaco.com (Jennifer Faley) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:17:18 GMT

In a world that moves fast and changes even faster, opportunity can feel just out of reach—especially for young people navigating tough terrain. But everyone deserves a fair shot at a brighter future. That’s why Dupaco Foundation invests in organizations that teach skills and unlock potential.

Crypto fraud: What you need to know

tmcdermott@dupaco.com (Tara McDermott) — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:07:59 GMT

Cryptocurrency (or crypto) is a digital form of money that can be exchanged into physical currency to buy “coins” or “tokens” of a type of cryptocurrency. What makes crypto unique is that it’s decentralized—meaning it’s not regulated by any government or financial institution. Unlike U.S. currency, crypto isn’t backed or insured by a standard. By comparison, deposits at Dupaco are federally insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. government agency.

As cryptocurrency grows in popularity, crypto ATMs are starting to appear in more communities. These machines convert traditional currency into crypto—but
scammers are increasingly using them to trick victims into sending money that can’t be recovered.

Your security is our priority

tmcdermott@dupaco.com (Tara McDermott) — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:41:24 GMT

Behind the scenes at Dupaco’s operations center, your financial cooperative’s fraud team is hard at work—monitoring, investigating and staying ahead of emerging fraud trends. Whether they’re completing formal training, collaborating with other financial institutions or working with area law enforcement agencies, they’re constantly learning—and sharing that knowledge with our front-line teams to better protect you.

A journey rooted in trust

tmcdermott@dupaco.com (Tara McDermott) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:27:03 GMT

Meet your #DupacoCrew: They helped me—now I get to help others

ekress@dupaco.com (Emily Kress) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:11:46 GMT

By: Ashley Riniker | Senior community outreach & education consultant

Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation strengthens nonprofits

jfaley@dupaco.com (Jennifer Faley) — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:50:27 GMT

Fixing the leaks is important—but building a better boat? That’s where the magic happens.

Facing the aftermath of the pandemic, Derecho, economic climate and funding shifts, Waypoint Services noticed a pattern: too many quick fixes trying to stay afloat and not enough time spent strengthening its foundation. Their senior leadership team and board recognized the need to press pause and focus on improving the organization’s structure for long-term growth and impact. This coming at a perfect time with their current CEO retiring after 12 years.

Fueling impact: Free coaching for entrepreneurial success

jfaley@dupaco.com (Jennifer Faley) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:25:16 GMT

Every thriving business starts with a spark—an idea, a dream, a vision. But turning that spark into something sustainable takes more than passion. It takes support, strategy and the right tools. That’s where Dupaco’s partnership with the Innovation Lab and Rural Ideas Network is making a difference.

Through free virtual business coaching and education, Dupaco members are gaining more than just access to services—they’re gaining momentum.

Meet your #DupacoCrew: Working here has changed my life in the best way

ekress@dupaco.com (Emily Kress) — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:35:37 GMT

By: Hailey Weinberg | Software engineer