Most of us know it is smart to save money for those big-ticket items we really want to buy a new television or car or home. Yet you may not realize that probably the most expensive thing you will ever buy in your lifetime is your . . . retirement.
Perhaps you've never thought of "buying" your retirement. Yet that is exactly what you do when you put money into a retirement nest egg. You are paying today for the cost of your retirement tomorrow.
The cost of those future years is getting more expensive for most Americans, for two reasons. First, we live longer after we retire - with many of us spending 15, 25, even 30 years in retirement - and we are more active.
Second, you may have to shoulder a greater chunk of the cost of your retirement because fewer companies are providing traditional pension plans and are contributing less to those plans. Many retirement plans today, such as the PF. You may not have a retirement plan available at work or you may be self-employed. This puts the responsibility of choosing retirement investments squarely on your shoulders.
Unfortunately, only a little more than half of all workers are earning retirement benefits at work, and many are not familiar with the basics of investing. Many people mistakenly believe that Social Security will pay for all or most of their retirement needs. The fact is, since its inception, Social Security has provided a minimum foundation of protection. A comfortable retirement usually requires Social Security, pensions, personal savings and investments.
In short, paying for the retirement you truly desire is ultimately your responsibility. You must take charge. You are the architect of your financial future.
That may sound like an impossible task. Many of us live paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet. You may have more pressing financial needs and goals than "buying" something so far in the future. Or perhaps you've waited until close to retirement before starting to save. Yet you still may be able to afford to buy the kind of retirement you want. Whether you are 18 or 58, you can take steps toward a better, more secure future.
How To Prepare For Retirement When There's Little Time Left
What if retirement is just around the corner and you haven't saved enough? Here are some tips. Some are painful, but they'll help you toward your goal.
- It's never too late to start. It's only too late if you don't start at all.
- Sock it away. Pump everything you can into your tax-sheltered retirement plans and personal savings. Try to put away at least 20 percent of your income.
- Reduce expenses. Funnel the savings into your nest egg.
- Take a second job or work extra hours.
- Aim for higher returns. Don't invest in anything you are uncomfortable with, but see if you can't squeeze out better returns.
- Retire later. You may not need to work full time beyond your planned retirement age.
- Part time may be enough.
- Refine your goal. You may have to live a less expensive lifestyle in retirement.
- Delay taking Social Security. Benefits will be higher when you start taking them.
- Make use of your home. Rent out a room or move to a less expensive home and save the profits.
Sell assets that are not producing much income or growth, such as undeveloped land or a vacation home, and invest in income-producing assets.
