Fall 2017 Volume 10, Number 7 | |||||
Smart Ways to Plan for Retirement Savings If you have already started saving for your retirement, congratulations! You’re on the right path. However, just saving money will not be enough to ensure a comfortable retirement if you don’t make the right decisions concerning your plan. Find a Plan That Works for You
If your employer provides a 401(k), you are fortunate and should take maximum advantage. Congress created 401(k) plans in the 1980s as a supplement to pensions. Pensions provided retirees with a steady income, but they became more expensive and most employers replaced them with 401(k)s. With a 401(k), employees agree to have a certain percentage of their paychecks deposited in an account. These funds are not taxed until withdrawn for retirement. Additionally, most employers will match the amount of money the employee contributes up to a set amount. Don’t be Stingy The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recommends families save at least 15 percent of their earnings annually. Fifteen percent will allow you to replace 70 to 90 percent of your income in retirement. Granted, that can be a burden at the start of your career, but the Center recommends you reach that amount as early as possible. Have a Properly Allocated Portfolio You have a lot of investment options -- stocks, bonds, CDs, Exchange-Traded Funds and mutual funds. It’s easy to get confused about which one or mixture is best for you, and a lot of people are too conservative with their allocations. Talk with your financial adviser about how much risk you can handle and take into consideration how many years you have before you want to retire. Never, Never Cash Out Your Retirement Savings
Life can take unexpected turns, and if you haven’t saved enough money, you might be tempted to withdraw from your retirement savings before reaching retirement age. Don’t! You will pay a 10 percent penalty plus taxes, and you’ll lose out on the interest growth. [return to top]
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Individual Health Care Marketplace Faces Serious Hurdles Smart Ways to Plan for Retirement Savings Critical Questions to Consider When Designating a Life Insurance Beneficiary |
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