Proverbs 21:5 reads, The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. But how does that verse apply to retirement? Simply put, it means having a long-range plan that accounts for possible setbacks along the way. Today, Rob West talks about five roadblocks to retirement that could delay the day you quit working.
If you’re younger, it may seem too soon to be worrying about retirement, but in truth, you should start planning for retirement the day you start your first job. That’s how you can overcome the obstacles you’re likely to encounter.
The first one is not saving and investing enough to retire. Note that saving and investing are two different things. Saving, in this case, refers to establishing an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses. This needs to be kept liquid and accessible, but not too accessible. Consider setting up a savings account at an online bank. Rob recommends Ally, Markus and Capital One banks but the choice is up to you. Consider automatic transfers from your checking account into that online account. Use that money for only true emergencies, like a job loss or unexpected medical bills. Just remember, any money you take out needs to be replaced in the account as soon as possible. Having an emergency fund protects you from having to interrupt, or worse, tap into your long-investments.
For investing, your goal should be to put away 10%-15% of your income each year toward retirement. Starting early takes advantage of compound earnings and long-term gains in the stock market. If your employer offers a 401k plan with matching contributions, take full advantage of that. Those matching contributions are free money. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401k, open a tax-advantaged IRA. On today’s program, Rob discusses the differences between traditional and Roth IRAs and the various investment options you have within each. He also discusses how to balance risk vs. return based on your target retirement date using the formula
110 - Your current age = % of Higher Risk Investments
If you’re 30 years old, the formula would be 110-30=80. Since you have a long time before retirement you can comfortably put 80% of your assets into stocks and stock mutual funds, which tend to have higher risk. You would then put the other 20% in lower risk, fixed-income securities like bonds and bond funds. Rob also mentions what are called Target Date Funds that let you choose a fund based on your anticipated retirement date. The fund’s manager rebalances your assets between low and higher risk securities for you over time.
The second obstacle coming between you and retirement is job loss. This is why having an emergency fund is critical. Too many people lose jobs and then tap into their retirement savings to get by. Not only does this reduce the amount of money you’ll have when you actually do retire, it also reduces the earning potential through compound interest. If you’re spending the money, it’s not working for you and earning you more money you’ll need later.
The third obstacle is the loss of your ability to work through illness or injury. The Social Security administration estimates that 25% of 20-year olds will become disabled before they retire. Usually, the work interruption is temporary and you can overcome it by having disability insurance, another must.
The fourth obstacle is debt. The only solution is to learn to live below your means so that you not only avoid debt, but also have income available for saving and investing. The interest you pay on credit card debt will far exceed any earnings in your retirement account, so you’re actually losing ground if you’re in debt.
The fifth and final obstacle to retirement is the premature death of a spouse which, if you’re both working, can reek havoc on your finances. The solution is having adequate life insurance. We recommend a death benefit of 12-15 times the salary that would be lost. Choose an inexpensive term policy. You also need life insurance for a stay-at-home spouse who is caring for children. Childcare is expensive so you’ll need insurance to make up for that annual expense in the same way you would to cover a lost salary.
Next, Rob answers listener questions including the following:
My 95-year-old mother has long-term care insurance and the premiums keep increasing. Is there a point to keeping this policy on someone who is in her mid 90’s?
I’m going to start receiving Social Security benefits in January. I currently have two loans, should I put the Social Security money towards those two loans or into a savings account?
I’m 62 years old and considering early retirement. How much can I earn without getting penalized once retired? Also, how does my last year’s salary affect all my previous years?
I currently have a home that has a remaining balance of $17,000 and an RV that I’m currently upside down on. Should I sell my home in order to pay off the RV?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions 24/7 at (800) 525-7000 or email them to [email protected]. Also, visit our website at MoneyWise.org where you can listen to past programs, connect with a MoneyWise Coach, and even download free, helpful resources like the free MoneyWise app.
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