For Mark Roberts’ Use: Are you confident that you will have enough money to cover basic living expenses in retirement? Seven out of ten workers aged 50 and older feel as though their retirement plan will provide enough money for basic necessities.
But what about your ability to actually live comfortably in retirement? If you’re like many soon-to-be retirees, you feel less confident. Only 53 percent of older workers said their current retirement plan will allow them to live comfortably. That means almost half of people drawing close to their retirement years may find themselves on a bread-and-water budget.
Luckily you still have time to boost your retirement savings. If you’re aged 50 or older, take advantage of catch-up contributions to build a bigger IRA or employer-sponsored retirement fun.
In 2015, the contribution limit for most employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans has been raised to $18,000. In addition, you can make a catch-up contribution of $6,000 if you are age 50 or older, for a total tax-advantaged contribution of $24,000 this year. Of course, some employer-sponsored plans may have contribution limits that are lower than the federal limit, so be sure to check with your financial advisor about your individual situation.
If you have an IRA, the federal contribution limit this year will be $5,500, but you can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000 is you’re age 50 or more. That extra $1,000 may not seem like much, but it can make a big different by the time you’re ready to retire.
Call your human resources department at work, and adjust your paycheck withholding. Take advantage of as much tax-deferred growth as you can, and you can help to ensure a more comfortable retirement in the future. If you’re still worried about your ability to retire comfortably, make an appointment with a financial advisor to discuss other options.
