It seems every time you turn around you hear about people leaving their jobs or opting to retire. Study after study shows it’s a trend that’s not going to slow down or reverse itself. For a lot of Americans who are vacating the workforce, this important decision wasn’t a rash one made overnight. Many have prepared for this life event for years — some for decades.
Regardless how many years you have left in the workforce, one thing is for certain: Now is the time to evaluate the progress of your retirement planning journey and develop a clear vision of your destination.
With that in mind, here are four considerations to help you plan your transition, add to your financial security, and make important strategic decisions as you move toward your retirement goals.
1. TACKLE THE BASICS FIRST.
One of the most basic, and most critical, decisions you will need to make if you haven’t already done so is to determine when you want to stop working and start collecting Social Security. This decision directly impacts your retirement income stream once you begin receiving benefits and for the rest of your life.
Social Security income (SSI) can be tricky — work with your advisor to determine the best SSI timing for your situation. You can start taking benefits as early as age 62 and as late as age 70. However, the earlier you take your benefit, the less monthly income you receive. For each year you wait to begin taking your SSI, you’ll get an 8% increase in the monthly amount you’re paid. Once you start your income benefit, you’ll receive annual raises determined by the government. (There’s been a yearly increase of about 2% over the past 10 years.) Generally, the longer you wait to take SSI the better. That way, this part of your retirement income can help support your lifestyle long-term.
Bottom line, delaying the start of your Social Security benefits can add as much as $100,000 to your retirement income. By working a few more years – even parttime – beyond your normal retirement date you can earn more income from your job, build on your savings, and postpone cash withdrawals. You may also want to talk with your advisor about tapping into other income opportunities.
2. MOCK UP A TRANSITION-TO-RETIREMENT BUDGET.
Hopefully, you’ll spend 20 to 30 years enjoying your retirement. But at what cost? Once you transition from the workforce, you’re likely going to be living off relatively fixed finances. You need to estimate how much money you’re going to need to live the lifestyle you’ve chosen. Generally, new retirees spend a little more when they first transition from the workforce, then a little less as they grow older.
As you plan your retirement budget, it’s important to have a good idea regarding what your expenses will be once you arrive at this stage in your life. For example, you should:
3. INVEST FOR YOUR RETIREMENT FUTURE.
Remember, what you invest in is as important as how much money you save. Investments you make for transitioning into retirement should include a mixture of stocks, bonds, and cash. This is very easy and convenient to do with retirement vehicles such as a 401(k) plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The proper mix of these investments for your financial needs will depend on your age, risk tolerance, and number of years to retirement. Other investments such as hedge funds, private equity, and even real estate can sometimes harm a retirement plan because of their illiquid nature — and may add to your expenses over time.
As you think of your retirement as the beginning of your next phase in life that could last another 30 years or more, you want to make sure your investments are structured to ensure a proper growth level throughout all those years. Resist the urge to reduce your investment risk too low. Instead, work with a qualified portfolio manager to determine the best investment growth level for your investments. In the end, a diversified growth component of your accounts will provide the best vehicle to help you keep up with inflation and provide the assets you need throughout your retirement.
4. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE DESTINATION.
Successful transitions from working to retirement are affected by two different criteria: expenses and retirement date. Simply put, the longer you stay in the workforce actively contributing to your retirement accounts, the more successful your retirement plan. However, if retirement comes sooner than planned you can still have a smooth transition and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
Everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why it’s important to work with your advisor to determine the best retirement options for your unique lifestyle. Contact us today — we will listen to your concerns, offer tailored solutions for your unique lifestyle, and help you structure your assets to last through your retirement years.
¹ Source: yahoo/finance, Kristin Myers, “Americans are retiring at an increasing pace,” https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-retiring-increasing-pace-145837368.html, November 21, 2018.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 30, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk.
NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
Regardless how many years you have left in the workforce, one thing is for certain: Now is the time to evaluate the progress of your retirement planning journey and develop a clear vision of your destination.
With that in mind, here are four considerations to help you plan your transition, add to your financial security, and make important strategic decisions as you move toward your retirement goals.
1. TACKLE THE BASICS FIRST.
One of the most basic, and most critical, decisions you will need to make if you haven’t already done so is to determine when you want to stop working and start collecting Social Security. This decision directly impacts your retirement income stream once you begin receiving benefits and for the rest of your life.
Social Security income (SSI) can be tricky — work with your advisor to determine the best SSI timing for your situation. You can start taking benefits as early as age 62 and as late as age 70. However, the earlier you take your benefit, the less monthly income you receive. For each year you wait to begin taking your SSI, you’ll get an 8% increase in the monthly amount you’re paid. Once you start your income benefit, you’ll receive annual raises determined by the government. (There’s been a yearly increase of about 2% over the past 10 years.) Generally, the longer you wait to take SSI the better. That way, this part of your retirement income can help support your lifestyle long-term.
Bottom line, delaying the start of your Social Security benefits can add as much as $100,000 to your retirement income. By working a few more years – even parttime – beyond your normal retirement date you can earn more income from your job, build on your savings, and postpone cash withdrawals. You may also want to talk with your advisor about tapping into other income opportunities.
2. MOCK UP A TRANSITION-TO-RETIREMENT BUDGET.
Hopefully, you’ll spend 20 to 30 years enjoying your retirement. But at what cost? Once you transition from the workforce, you’re likely going to be living off relatively fixed finances. You need to estimate how much money you’re going to need to live the lifestyle you’ve chosen. Generally, new retirees spend a little more when they first transition from the workforce, then a little less as they grow older.
As you plan your retirement budget, it’s important to have a good idea regarding what your expenses will be once you arrive at this stage in your life. For example, you should:
- Know where you want to live. Perhaps you may choose to move to a favorite place you’ve visited on vacation or to a lower-cost state or country with an attractive income tax rate or cost of living.
- Decide what you want to do with your time. Perhaps you dream of starting a second career, traveling the world, taking up a new hobby, or volunteering for your favorite charity.
- Budget carefully for constantly rising health care and insurance costs.
- Factor in inflation. Goods and services are likely to cost more in the future.
3. INVEST FOR YOUR RETIREMENT FUTURE.
Remember, what you invest in is as important as how much money you save. Investments you make for transitioning into retirement should include a mixture of stocks, bonds, and cash. This is very easy and convenient to do with retirement vehicles such as a 401(k) plan or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The proper mix of these investments for your financial needs will depend on your age, risk tolerance, and number of years to retirement. Other investments such as hedge funds, private equity, and even real estate can sometimes harm a retirement plan because of their illiquid nature — and may add to your expenses over time.
As you think of your retirement as the beginning of your next phase in life that could last another 30 years or more, you want to make sure your investments are structured to ensure a proper growth level throughout all those years. Resist the urge to reduce your investment risk too low. Instead, work with a qualified portfolio manager to determine the best investment growth level for your investments. In the end, a diversified growth component of your accounts will provide the best vehicle to help you keep up with inflation and provide the assets you need throughout your retirement.
4. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE DESTINATION.
Successful transitions from working to retirement are affected by two different criteria: expenses and retirement date. Simply put, the longer you stay in the workforce actively contributing to your retirement accounts, the more successful your retirement plan. However, if retirement comes sooner than planned you can still have a smooth transition and enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
Everyone’s financial situation is different. That’s why it’s important to work with your advisor to determine the best retirement options for your unique lifestyle. Contact us today — we will listen to your concerns, offer tailored solutions for your unique lifestyle, and help you structure your assets to last through your retirement years.
¹ Source: yahoo/finance, Kristin Myers, “Americans are retiring at an increasing pace,” https://finance.yahoo.com/news/americans-retiring-increasing-pace-145837368.html, November 21, 2018.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 30, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk.
NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
