Have you been diligently squirreling away money for retirement over the past couple of decades? If so, you’re probably feeling pretty antsy to retire. But before you take that leap, assess your retirement readiness by looking for these ten signs that your money might not last as long as it needs to.
You didn’t know retirement income can be taxed. Does this news come as a surprise for you? And are you familiar with the strategies that can help you minimize the effects of income taxes? If not, you should take a closer look at your retirement income strategy.
Did you get divorced, or are you considering it? A divorce can cut your retirement savings in half, for fairly obvious reasons. That’s a pretty big hit for most people.
You underestimated the impact of inflation. Did you know that over 20 years, inflation (at about the current rates) can reduce your spending power by 60 percent? That could mean that your income doesn’t stretch nearly as far toward the end of your retirement.
You don’t have a plan for long-term nursing care. How will you afford long-term nursing care, in the event that you need it? With a price tag of thousands per month, this expense (which is not covered by Medicare) could quickly eat through your retirement fund.
You don’t have any idea how much healthcare will cost. Right now, the average retirees can expect to spend about $250,000 on healthcare throughout their retirement years. Yikes! And yes, that is with Medicare.
A large, surprise expense would overwhelm you. If you don’t have a plan for emergency expenses, you might not be ready to retire just yet.
Your spending habits are likely to change in retirement. If you’re daydreaming about expensive cruises, fine dining, and new hobbies, you need to reevaluate your budget before diving into a new lifestyle.
Your family tends to be expensive. Do you frequently overspend on gifts for kids and grandkids?Do they often ask for loans, or is anyone hoping for help with college tuition? You might need to set limits before you retire.
You have no idea of your life expectancy. Granted, this one can surprise us all. But since one in four 65-year-olds today will live until age 90, you should probably plan on being one of them, just in case.
You don’t have a withdrawal plan. How much do you plan to withdraw from your retirement plan each year, and how long will your money last under those circumstances? If you can’t answer these basic questions, it’s not time to retire just yet. Let’s schedule an appointment, so that you can get a handle on your retirement planning strategy.
