Are you looking to retire soon? Maybe you have a friend or family member that is about to take on this journey in their life? Whatever the case may be, you need to be properly prepared so that when that time comes, you make the most of these years. Here is some information that will be of assistance.
Determine how much money you will need to live once you retire. Most Americans need roughly 75 percent of the regular income they earn to live comfortably in retirement. Workers in the lower income range can expect to need at least 90 percent.
When you plan to retire, save some money ahead of time. Set aside those savings for just your goals. Create a retirement plan, figure out how to accomplish it, and stay with it. Try starting small and increasing your savings as much as you can a month to reach those goals.
Most people look forward to their retirement, especially after they have been working for several years. They believe retirement will be a wonderful time when they can do things they could not during their working years. While this is somewhat true, it takes careful planning to live the retired life you had planned.
If your employer offers a retirement plan, invest in it. Many employers offer a matching plan which increases your savings, so make sure you invest at least up to the matching amount. In addition to saving for retirement, a 401k plan will help lower your income taxes every year.
Research your particular Social Security benefits. When you retire, Social Security will offer benefits around 40 percent of your pre-retirement income. If you go online, you’ll find plenty of Social Security calculators that will help you estimate your expected income from Social Security during retirement. This can help you plan better for the future.
Retirement planning not only includes financial preparation, but also preserving your health. The retirement years can be filled with enjoyable activities if your body is still healthy. Make sure you can take advantage of those opportunities when you finally do retire by making sure to remain active and protect your health.
Make sure that you stay in touch with your friends during retirement. When you were working, a majority of your socialization came from the workplace. However, after you retire, you will not have that any more. To make your days more interesting, spend more time doing things with your friends.
Don’t waste that extra money. Just because you’ve got a few bucks left doesn’t mean you should waste it at the gas station. Take those few dollars extra you have here and there and stash them in your retirement plan. They’ll grow into more and more dollars over time and you’ll be glad that you did.
As you think about retirement, keep in mind that you will want to assume the same standard of living. You will need approximately 80 percent of your current income to maintain your lifestyle. Just know that you shouldn’t be spending money as a free time activity.
Do the math and figure out how much money you need to live. If you ever hope to live without working, then you’ll need to have that money saved ahead of time in your retirement plan. Figure out how much it costs you to live comfortably and this will give you some form of saving goal.
Be very certain that the funds that you’ve saved for retirement are vested by the time you are looking to retire. Sure all that money is earmarked for retirement, but there may be restrictions on when you can actually touch those funds. Removing them early could mean having to pay fees for touching the funds.
Consider selling your home and renting in retirement. Renting gives you more flexibility to move if you need to for financial or health reasons. It also leaves you with less responsibility to care for a house and yard. This might mean more time to travel and really enjoy your retirement.
To help ensure that your financial situation in retirement is sufficient to support the lifestyle you are certain to desire, it pays to consult with planning experts well in advance of your need. Taking the time while you are still working is a great way to make certain you have the sort of nest egg necessary to fund the things you value most.
Many people have lost some of their retirement fund because of a poor economy, so they may need to work part-time when they retire. There are special websites that help retired workers find part-time work to pad their income. Holding a part-time job can be a source of enjoyment for many seniors.
Look to see if you qualify for a reduction in real estate taxes. Many areas grant these to individuals once they reach a certain age. They can reduce the amount you owe each year, making it easier to budget on a fixed income. Check with your City Hall to see if you qualify.
Keep in mind the magic age of 70.5. At this age it’s mandatory that you take minimum distributions from your IRAs and any work retirement funds. If you don’t do so, you could get some incredible steep penalties, as high as 50% of the total that should have been withdrawn during that month.
As this article has proven to you, a big part of retirement is preparing yourself as far in advance as you can. Whether you plan on retiring soon or you have a loved one who will be doing so, it is a good thing you read this article. You now know how to make the retirement years an enjoyable time.
