Entering retirement is a significant milestone in life, and it can bring both excitement and fear.
For some people, retirement means freedom — from deadlines, stress and the grind of going to work nearly every day for decades. They can’t wait to take it easy, spend more time with friends and family and do whatever they want.
Those fears are not unfounded, especially during times of spiking inflation, volatility, rising interest rates and predictions of a coming recession.
It’s never been a good idea to “wing” retirement. But these days, whether you’re already retired or preparing to make the leap, it’s critical to have a proactive plan built to protect your future — no matter what.
Retirement planning is about much more than investing. It’s about prioritizing your goals and figuring out what’s required to achieve those goals. And it’s about preserving what you already have as you move through the different phases of retirement, whether you’re dealing with inflation risk, interest-rate risk, market risk, high health care costs or longevity risk. Your comprehensive plan should include investment planning, income planning, tax planning and estate planning.
Here are seven things you can do right now to help safeguard your retirement:
1. Have a Vision.
This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people — especially couples — haven’t given much thought to what they want to do in retirement. They don’t know what their location, lifestyle or future needs and wants might look like as they age. (Just in case you’re wondering, “I want to buy a boat” is not a retirement plan.)
Sponsored Content
2. Put a (Realistic) Price Tag on Your Goals.
Once you’ve come up with your retirement objectives, you can create a budget based on your estimated expenses, including housing, transportation, health care and leisure activities. Yes, it can be difficult to predict what some costs might be far into the future, but this exercise will help you grasp how much you’ll need to maintain the lifestyle you want — and deal with some pitfalls along the way.
Sponsored Content
3. Create an Income Plan.
Once you have a better idea about your costs, you can create an income plan. This means figuring out all the income streams you expect to tap in retirement (Social Security, a pension, workplace retirement plans, other investments, etc.)
If you have a shortfall between the money coming in and the money going out, you’ll need to come up with a way to cover the difference. (Save more? Spend less? Work part-time in retirement? Delay retiring or claiming Social Security for as long as possible?) The sooner you know what you’re facing financially, the sooner you can work to remedy any problems.
Sponsored Content
4. Evaluate Your Asset Allocation.
Asset allocation is the process of dividing your investment portfolio among different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, cash and cash equivalents. The goal of asset allocation is to create a diversified and balanced portfolio, which can help reduce risk and increase returns over the long term.
A financial adviser can help you determine the right asset allocation for your retirement portfolio based on your risk tolerance, investment goals and time horizon.
Sponsored Content
5. Hope for the Best; Plan for the Worst.
When soon-to-be retirees dream of retirement, they typically picture themselves on the golf course, traveling or playing with their grandkids. The good stuff. But it’s important to prepare for whatever life throws at you through the years. This could mean:
- Choosing the right Medicare plan to fit your individual needs.
- Considering how you might cover the rising cost of long-term care (with long-term care insurance, for example, or another available option).
- Ensuring your surviving spouse is taken care of if you die first (with life insurance, the right Social Security claiming strategy, etc.).
- Drawing up an estate plan to leave a legacy for your loved ones if that’s a priority for you.
Sponsored Content
6. Don’t Forget About Taxes.
People tend to underestimate the bite taxes can take from their retirement income every year. If you have a tax-deferred retirement plan (401(k), 403(b), etc.), you’ll pay taxes on your withdrawals. You also may be required to pay taxes on a portion of your Social Security income. Some strategies can help minimize the damage taxes can do in retirement.
Still, the sooner you put your plan in place (by gradually converting some of your retirement savings to a Roth IRA, for example), the better off you’ll be.
Sponsored Content
7. Work With a Financial Adviser.
Can you create a do-it-yourself retirement plan? You can. But nearly every action I’ve listed here would be better managed by a professional. A good financial adviser can assist you through every step of retirement planning, from goal setting and guidance to implementing your chosen strategies. And with regular financial checkups, your adviser can help ensure your plan stays on course.
Like any important milestone, retirement takes planning. And a bit of courage. If you’re feeling anxious about your financial future, especially in these uncertain times, a solid plan could help you get on track so you can reach your retirement goals.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
The appearances in Kiplinger were obtained through a PR program. The columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.
This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.
Sponsored Content
-
Microsoft Stock: Innovation Spurs Its 100,000% ReturnMicrosoft's ability to recognize the "next big thing" has allowed sales – and its share price – to grow exponentially over the years.
-
6 Great Vacation Ideas for Wheelchair UsersThese six places provide plenty of travel inspiration for people who use wheelchairs.
-
Three Essential Estate Planning Steps to Protect Your Nest EggAfter dedicating years to building your wealth and securing your future, make sure your assets are protected and your loved ones are provided for in the future.
-
Is Chasing the American Dream Ruining Your Financial Life?Too many people focus on visible affluence as a marker of success. Here's how to avoid succumbing to the pressure and driving yourself into debt.
-
Retiring With a Pension? Four Things to KnowThe road to a secure retirement is slightly more intricate for people with pensions. Here are four key issues to consider to make the most out of yours.
-
How to Teach Your Kids About the Tax Facts of LifeTaxes are unavoidable, so it's important to teach children what to expect. Also, does your child need to file a tax return for 2024? Find out here.
-
Revocable Living Trusts: The Good, the Bad and the UglyPeople are conditioned to believe they should avoid probate at all costs, but when compared with living trusts, probate could be a smart choice for some folks.
-
How to Plan for Retirement When Your Child Has Special NeedsWhen your child has special needs, your retirement plan should include a plan for when you'll no longer be able to care for them yourself. A five-step guide.
-
Tax Advantages of Oil and Gas Investments: What You Need to KnowTax incentives allow for deductions and potential tax-free earnings — benefits accessible only to accredited investors in small producer projects.
-
Charitable Contributions: Five Frequently Asked QuestionsMake the most of your good intentions by understanding the ins and outs of charitable giving. A good starting point is knowing what's deductible and what isn't.
