Nearing retirement can be a trying time. You may have difficulties figuring out your new role in society. Retirement can be a good thing, but it definitely changes your life. Use these suggestions to make the most of it.
75 Percent
Determine how much money you will need to live once you retire. Studies have shown that most Americans need about 75 percent of what they make in income to help them when they retire. That means 75 percent of what you’re earning at this time. People who make very little money should anticipate needing at least 85 percent of their current income to live well during retirement.
Reduce the amount of money that you spend on miscellaneous items throughout the week. Go over your monthly expenditures and cut things that are not necessary. Over the course of 30 years, these expenses can really add up and eliminating them can serve as a large source of income.
Start saving as early as you can, and keep saving until you’re old enough to retire. Even if you cannot contribute a lot, something is better than nothing. As your income rises, so should your savings. When your money resides in an account that pays interest, your money has the chance to grow to provide you with extra money later on.
When people have spent decades working hard, they dream of a fun retirement. They think retirement is going to be a wonderful thing. This can be a reality for some, but real planning is necessary to make it all come together.
Think about continuing to work part-time. If you cannot afford to retire fully, consider a partial retirement. This means you could possibly work at your current job on a part-time basis. You can still have an income, relax a bit more, and transition to full retirement when you are ready.
Make regular contributions to your 401k and maximize your employer match, if available. A 401k account will let you put away money before tax, allowing you to save more money without it hurting your paycheck too much. Often, companies will contribute as much to your account as you do.
With plenty of free time during your retirement, you have no more excuses for not getting into shape. As you age, it is important to remain as healthy as possible. So include regular workouts or activities as part of your retirement plan.
Examine your existing savings plan for retirement. If there is a 401k plan, sign up and start adding as much as possible. Meet with a financial planner to find out how to make the most of employer plans along with ones that you can initiate on your own.
Social Security
Consider waiting two more years before drawing from Social Security. The longer you wait to apply for your Social Security benefits, the higher your monthly benefit will be, and that is likely to make it easier for you to live comfortably. This is better accomplished if you have multiple sources of income.
Find others who are retired. This will allow you to enjoy your retirement years more. With these friends, you can all enjoy retirement activities together. This will also provide you with a functional support group.
Social Security cannot be relied upon to pay for everything you need. Social Security may pay roughly 40 percent of household and other expenses, but that is clearly not enough. To live comfortably in retirement, your retirement plan should provide between seventy and ninety percent of your current living costs.
What will your income level be after you are retired? Typical income sources may include pensions, Social Security benefits, savings and interest on investments. The more sources of income that you have, the better off you will be. Consider other reliable income sources you could tap now that will contribute towards your retirement in the future.
No matter how bad your financial situation may be, never tap into your retirement savings until you are actually retired. You may lose principal and interest. There could also be withdrawal fees and tax losses. Instead, leave the money alone so you can enjoy your retirement.
After going through this article it should be clear to you that retirement is a great time. Not only will you be able to control what you do at all times, you can be sure you’re able to live your days as you want to. Use the information you’ve just read to make your golden years special.