The Essential Technology for Retirement to Work with Your Financial Advisor Remotely (Even If You're Not Tech-Savvy)

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to stay connected with your financial planning team — just a few simple tools and a little guidance. Whether traveling, moving to a warmer state, or preferring to handle things from home, we want you to feel empowered and confident about working with us remotely.

This guide will walk you through exactly what you need (and why), offer helpful tips, and give you a printable checklist — plus links to purchase anything you might be missing from a store near you (with tech support available if you want it!).

Let’s break it down.

💻 Why Remote-Ready Tech Matters for Technology for Retirement

Our goal is to make it easy and convenient for you to:

• Join a virtual meeting

• Sign or send documents securely

• Submit important forms

• Ask questions and get clear answers fast

We’ve helped hundreds of clients work with us remotely — even if they weren’t super tech-savvy to begin with. And once you’re set up, you’ll be able to take care of everything you’d do in person — without the drive, weather worries, or schedule juggling.

🧠 The Tech Basics You Actually Need

We’ve kept this list short and sweet. Here are the minimum tools that will make your remote experience smooth and stress-free:

1. A Laptop or Desktop Computer (Not Just a Phone or Tablet)

While smartphones and tablets are great, they can’t always handle everything — especially tasks like filling out digital forms or uploading documents.

✅ What to look for:

• Built-in webcam and microphone

• Wi-Fi ready

• Easy-to-use (we like Chromebooks or basic Windows laptops)

📦 Recommended:

• HP 15.6" Touchscreen Laptop – Best Buy

• Acer Chromebook 315 – Lightweight & Budget-Friendly

💡 Pro Tip: Consider casting your laptop screen to your TV for bigger visuals during Zoom calls.

2. Reliable Internet Connection

A stable Wi-Fi connection helps with Zoom calls, sending documents, and signing forms online. You don’t need super high-speed internet — just something that won’t cut out mid-meeting.

📶 Check your speed here: SpeedTest.net

3. An Email Address You Check Regularly

We recommend using Gmail because it works seamlessly with our systems and is easy to access from any device.

📦 Need one? Sign up here: Create a Gmail Account

4. Zoom for Virtual Meetings

We use Zoom for our video meetings. It’s simple, secure, and lets us talk face-to-face even if we’re miles apart. This is a crucial piece of the technology for the retirement puzzle.

📦 Download Zoom here: Zoom.us/download

✅ Make sure your camera and mic work before our call. We’re happy to help test it with you!

5. A Printer/Scanner Combo (Laser Preferred)

There are times we’ll need you to print or scan documents. Laser printers are ideal because the ink won’t dry out between uses — especially if you only print occasionally.

📦 Recommended:

• Brother Compact Laser Printer with Scanner – Best Buy

• HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw – Wireless with App Support

📱 Bonus: Some clients use their smartphone to scan documents using the Adobe Scan or Notes app (iPhone) — and that works in a pinch!

6. PDF Viewer and E-Sign Tool

You’ll need to be able to open and sign PDFs — like tax documents, account forms, or estate planning paperwork. We use DocuSign, which works great on laptops and phones.

📦 Get Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free): Adobe.com/reader

📦 DocuSign will come through email — just click to sign!

7. Typeform for Simple Surveys and Forms

We sometimes use Typeform to gather info (like annual planning updates or estate details). It’s easy to use and works best on a laptop.

💡 If you’re on your phone and something doesn’t look right, try switching to your laptop.

💬 But What If I’m Not Comfortable with Technology?

You’re not alone. Many of our clients were a little nervous at first — but now they love the flexibility of meeting from anywhere and handling documents with a few clicks.

We’re here to walk you through every step. If you ever feel unsure:

• Give us a call

• Let us test your Zoom setup with you

• Ask us how to scan or upload something

There are no bad questions when it comes to technology. We’ll take it slow and make sure you feel confident before moving on.

📄 The Printable Tech Checklist

Want something you can print or share with a friend or spouse? Here’s your easy-to-follow checklist:

✅ A reliable laptop or desktop (with camera + mic)

✅ Internet connection (Wi-Fi works great)

✅ A Gmail account

✅ Zoom installed and tested

✅ Laser printer + scanner (or a scan app on your phone)

✅ PDF viewer (Adobe Reader)

✅ Able to click links and sign with DocuSign

✅ Willingness to call us if something’s confusing 🙂

📥 Download the checklist as a PDF📍

Need help? Call us anytime and we’ll walk you through setup.

🛍️ Where to Buy (With Local Pickup + Tech Support)

We recommend Best Buy because they:

• Have local stores

• Offer pickup or delivery

• Provide Geek Squad tech help if needed

🖥️ Best Buy Laptop Deals🖨️ Printers + Scanners🎧 Headsets (Optional for Better Sound)

🙌 You’ve Got This — and We’re Here to Help

We know it can feel overwhelming to get set up with technology — but the good news is: you only have to do it once. After that, everything becomes easier.

Whether you’re snowbirding in Arizona, helping your grandkids after school, or just want to stay cozy at home, we want to make sure your financial planning doesn’t miss a beat.

📞 Let’s Make It Easy

If you’re not sure whether you’re fully set up — or need help picking the right tech — just reach out. We’d be happy to:

• Do a quick Zoom test call

• Walk through what you already have

• Send you a personalized shopping list

👉 Call us or book a 15-minute tech setup call

You’ve worked hard to build your wealth. Now let’s make sure staying connected with your advisor is simple, seamless, and stress-free — no matter where life takes you.