Slide Show | August 2007

RETIREMENT TIMELINE

iStockphoto

It's never too early to start saving for retirement. But your strategy at 25 won't be the same as when you're 65. So here's what you need to do, and when you need to do it, to make the most of your savings.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

RETIREMENT TIMELINE

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

FIRST DAY ON THE JOB

iStockphoto

Sign up for your employer's retirement plan. If you're lucky, you will be automatically enrolled in your company's 401(k) plan. Be sure to contribute at least enough to capture your employer's match.
For more advice, see:
Max Out Your 401(k)
Retirement Saving Made Easy

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

FIRST DAY ON THE JOB

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 35

iStockphoto

Earmark a portion of each raise to your retirement savings. Your ultimate goal: to sock away 15% of your gross income, including your employer's matching contribution.
For more advice, see:
Adding to Your 401(k)

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 35

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 45

iStockphoto

Take advantage of your employer's investment-advice program to see whether your retirement savings are on track. Or use our Am I Saving Enough for Retirement? tool.
For more advice, see:
Build Your Perfect Retirement Portfolio
Rating the Online Retirement Planners

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 45

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 50

iStockphoto

Start to make "catch up" contributions to your 401(k) account and your IRA. If you are 50 or older, you can kick in an extra $5,000 (for a total of $20,500 in 2008). You can contribute an extra $1,000 (for a total of $6,000 in 2008) to an IRA if you're 50 or older.
For more advice, see:
401(k) Catch-Up Contributions

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 50

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 55

iStockphoto

Take penalty-free distributions from your 401(k) if you leave work and need the money. You'll still owe taxes. The early-out clause does not apply to IRAs.
For more advice, see
Don't Rush to Roll Over a 401(k)

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 55

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 59½

iStockphoto

You now can access IRAs and other retirement accounts. Early-withdrawal penalties disappear. If you have a Roth IRA, withdrawals are tax-free.
For more advice, see:
Which Account to Tap First

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 59½

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 62

iStockphoto

Consider taking Social Security benefits, but know that your checks will be reduced by 25% or more for life. If you continue to work, you also will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above $13,560 in 2008.
For more advice, see:
The Drawbacks of Taking Social Security Early
The Social Security Gamble

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 62

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 65-67

iStockphoto

Start collecting full Social Security retirement benefits, depending on your birth year. For example, the full retirement age for people born between 1943 and 1954 is age 66. Earnings-cap limits disappear. Don't forget that at age 65, you qualify for Medicare.
For more advice, see:
Both Spouses Can Get Social Security Benefits

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 65-67

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 70

iStockphoto

Sign up for Social Security benefits even if you keep working. Extra retirement credits end for those who have delayed collecting benefits.
For more advice, see:
How Much Income Will Social Security Provide?

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 70

Slide Show

THE KIPLINGER TIMELINE: A 60th Anniversary Exclusive

AGE 70½

iStockphoto

It's time to take minimum distributions from your retirement accounts each year. If you don't withdraw the right amount of money, you'll have to pay a 50% penalty on the amount of money you should have withdrawn but didn't.
For more advice, see:
Dealing With Required IRA Distributions

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

AGE 70½

Skip This Ad »