Retirement is a dream for most working Americans. It is never too early to consider strategies for achieving your retirement. While saving early and often is one key aspect of being able to retire, there are some other key questions and approaches to consider.
Retirement is about money, but it is also about a change in lifestyle. Being prepared for that change, both financially and psychologically, is important. Part of planning for retirement is knowing how much money you will need on a monthly basis and what income streams are available to you.
An IRA for Easy Management
For example, if you have prepared wisely, you may have a single individual retirement account (IRA) that is easy to manage. However, if you have put your retirement savings in a variety of old 401(k) plans from different employers and failed to consolidate, it may be difficult, frustrating, and complicated to determine your available income streams. Making adjustments before retirement alleviates emotional and psychological stress.
Know Your Monthly Expenses
Understand your monthly expenses; while certain expenses may go down once you stop working, you may still have to cover a mortgage or maintain costly health insurance. Knowing ahead of time these expenses allows you to look at ways to reduce spending and/or increase your income. For example, some retirees continue to work part-time to generate spending dollars or to gain some insurance benefits.
Be an Early Bird in the Case of Your Retirement
The most important aspect of retirement planning is to start early. By establishing an IRA at an early age, you have the advantage of time on your side. Even you are not earning the highest salary, putting a little away in your IRA will add up significantly over time. If you establish a saving regime that is a percentage of your salary, then each time you get a raise, you also are paying into your retirement at a higher amount. It’s a win-win!
Emergency Funds and Backup Plans
Other sound retirement advice during your earning years includes setting up an emergency savings fund. This fund can be used in case of unexpected job loss or other financially stressful events. By having an emergency fund available, you protect your retirement savings as well.
Another sound piece of retirement advice is to have documents such as your will, life insurance, and living wills in place. If you are married with children, these documents are even more important. Having an insurance plan and proper will in place gives you the reassurance that your family will be protected if one parent becomes unable to work or if there is a sudden death.
Just Keep Saving
There is a lot of retirement advice available, but the key step is to always keep saving. As you earn more, begin to sock away more. The power of compound interest means the earlier you put more into your savings, the greater the nest egg upon retirement. Your investing style will naturally change over time, with most people becoming more conservative the older they get and the more predictable their needs become.
Prepare Financially and Mentally to Retire
Finally, as you work to save, be sure to work until you are both financially and psychologically ready to retire. Working past your retirement age can mean more money and security for your later years. More importantly, working has social benefits and staying in the work force can curb the isolation and depression that some people find they are unprepared for if they retire too soon.
Retirement is often seen as a far away possibility. However, it is important to plan for it starting at an early age. The early you prepare yourself, the better your financial and emotional state will be when the retirement dream becomes a reality.
Jeremy Davis was a councilor for financial expenses for years. He now enjoy his retirement by writing blogs to help with the difficulties of financial issues and retirement. Aside from writing blogs Jeremy enjoys walks with his wife, gardening and tutoring young children in math and history as part of his retirement routines.
