SARATOGA LIVINGThe City. The Culture. The Life.

In some ways, the Elmer Santiago story writes itself: Born and raised in Amsterdam, NY, this son of Puerto Rican farmers would go on to become a Senior Lieutenant firefighter and paramedic for the Amsterdam Fire Department, and a proud dad, and be widely known throughout the Capital Region as the nicest guy in town. But, as so many good tales worth telling reveal, Santiago’s life has been filled with the exciting peaks and devastating valleys now requisite of all superhero films. Still, without fail, you can find Santiago with an inviting grin on his face, ready to crack another not-quite-hilarious joke. He’s just a sweet guy—not exactly the adjective his tough-as-nails job implies, but it’s true. And who doesn’t crave some sweetness in their life?

I’m not exactly sure when I first met Elmer; his presence in my life just became a constant one day, and his relentless kindness, unquestioning generosity and natural paternal instincts pair well with his serious social skills—just try having a good time without him!

This Saratoga Springs resident is one of 14(!) children—can you even imagine?—yet Santiago treats his loved ones with a serenity of spirit and patience that would impress Job. To watch him around his youngest kids—Brody, 7, and Gavin, 3—is a master class in parenting: the perfect intersection where friend meets discipline. Santiago wears that look well.

Recently, I sat down with my favorite firefighting superhero and got him to open up just a little bit about himself. Let’s find out together what makes this superhero tick.

What’s the feeling when you put on the uniform every morning? Is it a rush, or are you always aware how inherently dangerous your chosen career is?
It’s not a rush as you said, Richard. It’s more a sense of pride. Not knowing what kind of day it’s going to be is the rush, but knowing on those “busy” days that I’m helping someone on their worst day makes me proud.

What’s the last heroic thing you did?
This isn’t a story that ends with sunshine and rainbows. A call came through as a structure fire, and when we arrived, we encountered heavy smoke, heavy fire. We fought this large fire in a hasty manner, working as a tight team in a coordinated effort. Making our way to the second floor to rescue a female, I instructed my partner to search the room where we found her. Together, we carried her out to where the paramedics were eagerly waiting to do what they do best. They were giving her every possible chance to live, but unfortunately, life isn’t always fair. It’s not a great memory, and heroism typically seems to be viewed in a powerful, positive light. Unfortunately, this isn’t Hollywood, and it is what I signed up for. I was there to do my job and give this individual every chance to fight for her life. My job is a blessing and a curse. Big shout-out to all my brothers and sisters who answer the same calls I do.

Every time I’m with you, you seem to know half the people in any given room. Are you the unofficial Mayor of Saratoga Springs?
[Laughs] I guess I’ve put a fair amount of time in with my friends at some of my favorite places in town—Osteria Danny, Cantina, The Barrelhouse, The Adelphi Hotel, Hamlet & Ghost. I don’t think I’m the unofficial Mayor, but I do consider myself a talkative “Happy Hour Hero.”

As a financial professional for over 20 years, I speak to many women about getting involved in saving and investing decisions for the family, especially those related to their own retirement. In fact, when I work with recently divorced or widowed women, I find many have never before managed their own finances. While women face a unique set of circumstances when it comes to retirement planning, being more aware of these challenges is the first step to helping to overcome them.

At Schwab, we generally highlight four key considerations to help women prepare and be confident in their financial future. Keep in mind, this information should not be considered personalized investment advice or recommendations. Because each situation varies, it’s important to review for your own particular situation.

Women may have a lengthier retirement. Women tend to outlive men by an average of five years, according to the National Center for Health in 2016. Though a longer retirement means more time to travel the world and spoil grandchildren, it also means women will have to save more money to last them through their longer lifespans.

Tip #1 Stocks are an important part of most portfolios, even during retirement. Though you may want to gradually reduce your exposure as you get older, consider maintaining a portion of your savings in stock investments to help counteract the impact of inflation. The ultimate goal is to make sure you have continued growth while not risking the money you need to live on.

Women may have a more expensive retirement. Not only do women have to plan for more years in retirement, but they often have to anticipate higher expenses. Longer life expectancies can translate into increased medical expenses and a higher likelihood of entering a nursing home or assisted living community, or hiring formal home care, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Tip #2 Medicare benefits cover some medical costs during retirement, but consider signing up for supplemental insurance.

Women potentially have to save more to make up for earnings loss. On average, women still earn lower salaries than their male counterparts. In 2015, women still earned only 80 cents for every dollar men earned, according to U.S. Census Bureau’s data for full-time, year-round workers’ median earnings released in September 2016. Plus, over the course of their working years, women spend more time out of the workforce to care for their families, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. To counteract the forces that are weighing on their ability to accumulate savings, women should focus on socking away as much as possible during the years they are working and earning an income.

Tip #3 Your level of savings is the biggest factor in determining whether you will meet your retirement financial goals, so start early. But in case you procrastinate, there are ways to help catch up. Max out your 401(k) contributions and use an automatic deposit feature so you don’t even have to think about it. Each year after you turn 50, you can contribute up to $6,000 beyond the usual limit to your 401(k). You may also be able to annually contribute an extra $1,000 to your Traditional or Roth IRA to help bulk up your savings. Review your expenses periodically to look for ways to save more, and avoid carrying a balance on your credit card to limit costly interest payments.

Women may receive less in Social Security benefits. Lower salaries and fewer years in the workplace also put women at a disadvantage when it comes to Social Security benefits. In fact, women earned on average about 20% less in Social Security than men in 2015, according to the Social Security Administration. While this may be difficult to accept, women who may become widows due their longer life expectancies should consider how they can maximize their Social Security survivor benefits.

Tip #4 Consider delaying the start of your Social Security benefits. If you choose to start cashing in your Social Security checks before your normal retirement age, your benefits are reduced. If you wait until some point between your normal retirement age and the age of 70, you’ll receive a higher monthly benefit. Use the Social Security Administration’s calculators to determine your breakeven age—the point at which you break even and begin to come out ahead if you delay Social Security.

When it comes to planning for retirement, knowledge really is power. I get great satisfaction when I can provide women with the information they need to plan for their future, and being based in Saratoga Springs, one of the greatest (if I do say so myself) places to retire to, is just icing on the cake. ■

Maureen Parker is an Independent Branch Leader and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab with over 22 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab.

Information presented is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment advice as individual situations vary. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Schwab recommends consultation with a qualified professional. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal.