Retirement Facts to Consider.

Many people have misconceptions regarding fundamental retirement financial planning and retirement guidance. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings can mean the difference between a retirement you want and the one you have to accept.

Keep the following top three retirement planning realities in mind:

• Your retirement income will be affected by your retirement age.
• You’ll still have to pay income taxes.
• Your social security benefits may be subject to taxation.

Retirement planning appears to have altered little throughout the years. You work, save, and then retire. While the mechanics remain the same, today’s savers face some problems that past generations did not face. To begin with, life expectancy is increasing, which means you’ll need your money to survive longer – possibly into your 90s and beyond.

So, how do you get the retirement you’ve always desired? After all, retirees want to do all the things they couldn’t do when they were working. There are various aspects to developing a plan that is perfect for you, which we will discuss with you in depth, ranging from budgeting and goal setting to selecting the right retirement savings account.

How much money do you need to put aside for retirement? Many people become so overwhelmed by the prospect of saving for an unknown future that they fail to save anything at all. Fortunately, retirement planning is not unduly difficult, but you will need a road map — one that may grow over time — to keep you on course.

The first step is to consider what your life might be like in retirement. Put pen to paper and put down your retirement goals. Contact us to discuss these objectives objectively.

Consider how much everything will cost. We don’t know what pricing will be like in the future, so expect rising prices in the coming decades. You should also include your daily expenses, such as housing, food, and health care. Next, total all potential earnings in your post-working years. Consider your pension income, social security payments, and any additional funds that may come your way, such as rental income from a property. Match your revenue and spending to obtain a decent indication of how much you’ll need to save for each year of your retirement.

Where to Begin Saving for Retirement

While starting early is always recommended, it is OK to save money for more pressing needs at first and then begin working toward retirement. However, you don’t want to wait too long because it will take time for your money to grow in a retirement account.

Things to consider when starting started:

Make a Budget
This is your current budget, which includes all of your current income and expenses. While you should have an idea of how much money you’ll need to save each month based on your retirement goals, you should also ensure that you have that money to save. It’s a good idea to make retirement savings a line item in your budget, just like food and housing, so you can put money aside every month.

Configure Automatic Transfers
This is a program that you may link between your checking account and your retirement account to remind you to save. Set it up so that cash set aside for the future are transferred from your bank account to your investments on the same day each month — perhaps the day you get paid. There is no risk of you spending that money if you do it this manner.

Make an Emergency Savings Account.
Having a separate emergency account — typically with three to six months of salary saved — will allow you to meet any unforeseen bills without jeopardizing your retirement plans.

Debt Reduction
Everyone should strive to be debt-free by the age of 65. This includes credit card debt — particularly high-interest reward card debt — automobile and house loans, as well as any student and other large loans. The rationale is simple: you don’t want to enter your retirement years owing money.

What types of investing accounts should you use?
Setting up a set amount of money each month is, of course, the most important aspect of retirement planning. But you won’t get there unless you put that money into the market. One motivation to invest is to take advantage of the power of compounding, which occurs when gains build on top of previous gains.

Create a Retirement Strategy Today.

Retirement planning can evoke a wide range of emotions. There’s the thrill of arranging travel arrangements, sleeping in on Mondays, and bidding farewell to the boss. There’s also the dread of outliving your money, becoming bored, or making a major financial error.

The greatest approach to deal with retirement worries is to confront them. The sooner you start thinking about retirement, the better. If you’re thinking about retirement now, you’re already ahead of the game. Contact us about your retirement plan today to get you on your way.