Strategies for saving in your 50s
Many retirees today are redefining the “golden years.” Forget about endless days of leisure. Retirees seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine retirement, will retirees be able to finance their plans? Today, many people age 50 and older have not begun to save for retirement or have yet to accumulate sufficient funds.
If you’re in this age group and find yourself facing an underfunded retirement, it’s not too late to take charge. There are actions you can take today to help get on the right track. Here are some ideas:
What’s it going to take? First, estimate how much money you will need in retirement. Once you have an idea of the amount, you can work toward meeting that goal. A good rule of thumb is that you may need 60%–80% of your current annual income in retirement. Your financial professional can help you assess the best amount for your
situation.
Maximize your contributions. If your employer offers a retirement plan, contribute as much as the law will allow. In 2020, those age 50 and over can contribute up to $26,000 to an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan ($19,500 + $6,500 “catch-up” contribution). Many employers also offer a company match, so be sure you contribute enough to claim this “free” money, which can add up over time.
Create a spending plan. In other words, make a budget. Many people think a budget is restrictive, but look at it this way: You can spend now, or you can have the money to afford your dream adventures later. To start, it is important that you pay down debt and avoid accruing new debt. Next, examine your spending habits and replace some of your discretionary spend-ing with saving. Saving even $20 more per week is a step in the right direction.
Take initiative. Besides contributing to your employer’s plan, you can save more by opening your own Roth IRA. Contributions are made after taxes, but earnings and distributions are income-tax free, provided the account is at least five years old and you have reached age 59½. Those age 50 and over can contribute up to $7,000 a year in 2020. Eligibility in 2020 for these plans begins to phase out with adjusted gross incomes of $124,000–$139,000 for single filers and $196,000–$206,000 for married joint filers.
Hang out your shingle. Many Boomers hope to start their own businesses in retirement. Why wait? If you begin your entrepreneurial efforts now, your business has the potential to be in full swing by the time you retire, and any profits between now and then can be added to your savings.
Consider downsizing. Your home may have significantly increased in value since you first bought it, and you may have already paid off the mortgage. With children at or near adulthood, do you really need all that space? Selling now and moving to a smaller, more affordable location may allow you to transfer some of the equity in your home into a savings vehicle.
Reconsider your retirement age. If you want to cushion your retirement savings, consider staying on the job longer. Some people actually leave retirement to reenter the workforce because they feel more fulfilled while working. Others seek part-time work, consulting, or entrepreneurial endeavors. Such options may enable you to earn more money to save, which may help to postpone spending down your savings.
Regardless of which options you choose, you can benefit from time and compounding interest. Every year that your savings remain untouched allows more time for potential growth. It is never too late to start preparing for your future. So, take action now to help get on track to saving for your retirement.
Important Disclosure Information
The comments above refer generally to financial markets and not Bazis Young portfolios or any related performance. The content of this article should not be considered financial advice. The article is not intended to offer specific investment recommendations and is general in nature and should not be considered a comprehensive review or analysis of the topics discussed. This article is not a substitute for a consultation with an investment adviser in a one-on-one context whereby all the facts of the attendee’s situation can be considered in its entirety and the investment adviser can provide individualized investment advice or a customized financial plan. Opinions expressed are current as of the date shown and are subject to change. Past performance is not indicative of future results and diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. All investments carry some level of risk including loss of principal. Information or data shown or used in this material was received from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. This information does not provide recipients with information or advice that is sufficient on which to base an investment decision. This information does not consider the specific investment objectives, financial situation or need of any particular investor and may not be suitable for all types of investors. Recipients should consider the content of this information as a single factor in making an investment decision. Additional fundamental and other analyses would be required to make an investment decision about any individual security identified in this report.
Bāzis Young Investment Group, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or expertise. Any discussion of specific securities is provided for information purpose only and should not be deemed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any individual security mentions or to allocate assets in any manner discussed.
The Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Withdrawals from the account may be tax free, as long as they are considered qualified. Limitations and restrictions may apply. Withdrawals prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Future tax laws can change at any time and may impact the benefits of Roth IRAs. Their tax treatment may change.
Tracking 01-959278