Since Social Security benefits are often a substantial part of your cash flow during retirement, it’s important to understand how they can be impacted by marriage and divorce. Every relationship and financial situation is different, so it’s wise to be prepared to make well-informed decisions about your benefits.
Access to Saving for Retirement
The lack of Americans’ retirement savings, referred to as “retirement insecurity”, is a topic we are hearing more and more about as the Boomer generation ages into retirement. Private company pensions are few and far between these days, putting the onus of saving for retirement on individuals, rather than corporations. Compounding the issue of the lack of retirement savings is the fact that Americans are living longer and will need to save more to cover living expenses and potentially higher medical costs later in life. Elected officials have responded to the potential crisis by enacting legislation such as the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) and the OregonSaves program.
Gifting Money to Your Children
As your children grow into adults, your relationship with them naturally evolves. You love them and may want to continue to support them in various ways but, when it comes to supporting them financially, things can get complicated.
How to Prepare for Healthcare Costs in Retirement
Healthcare is one of the biggest and most unpredictable line items to prepare for in retirement. Medicare kicks in when you turn 65 however there is a big gap in what Medicare covers vs. the coverage you’re used to from your employer’s group plan.
For a couple retiring in 2015, Fidelity Investments reports that they will need to have an additional $245,000 in savings to cover their healthcare costs in retirement.
Why Retirement Planning Should Include Emotional Preparation
Younger people are often excited by the prospect of retirement planning and dreaming of life after work. However, for those nearing the final phase of their careers, retirement can be a frightening prospect. You’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point but now what? How will you spend your time? What will you say when people ask what you do? Do you have to learn to play golf?
