Ignore Your Invitation to the Baby Boomer Pity Party
Five DIY steps toward creating a successful retirement plan.
You’re probably getting pretty sick of news stories about all the Baby Boomers who are getting ready to retire and how they’re woefully unprepared financially.
Especially if you’re one of those Boomers they’ve been fussing about.
After all, you probably have some idea of what you want your retirement to look like, and how close you are to attaining your goals. You have a 401(k) – or two, if you can find the account information from that job you left 10 years ago – and some savings stashed away. And you’re pretty sure you’ll be able to quit working by the time you blow out the candles on your 66th birthday cake.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
That’s enough, right?
Sorry, friend. But the fretting media is correct when it points out that a pile of paperwork is not a plan.
The good news is it’s never too late to get your act together and do some proper prepping. And you can begin today by actually writing down your goals and figuring out how you’re most likely to reach them.
Here are some steps to get you started:
1. Develop a realistic retirement budget.
Put pen to paper and list the expenses you have now and expect to continue, as well as the costs that might come up when you’re no longer working every day. Really get down to the nuts and bolts: For example, your wardrobe expenses might go down, but your travel and hobby costs will probably go up. Will you have your mortgage paid off? What about your car? And remember to keep inflation in mind.
2. Make a list of your predictable income sources and how much they’ll bring in each month or year.
You can check on your Social Security benefits at www.ssa.gov; click on “my Social Security” and you can create your own account to see an estimate of what you would receive at different retirement ages.
Hopefully, you’ve been staying on top of any pension checks you’ll have coming in retirement. You should be receiving statements in the mail or online. If not, it’s time to contact the human resources departments at your current and former employers for that information. If you need assistance, the Administration on Aging Pension Counseling and Information Program might be able to help.
3. Get a handle on your retirement assets.
Look at what you’ve accumulated to date and how much longer you’ll want – or need – to work. Think about what rate of return you’ll need to fill the gap between what your budget requires and what your guaranteed income provides. I always suggest using conservative rates of return, such as 4% while working and 3% during retirement years; if you get more, it’s a pleasant surprise, but you aren’t setting yourself up for disappointment. Keep in mind your personal risk tolerance – how much you can afford to lose and how much loss you can handle emotionally without panicking. If you’re working with a financial adviser, have him stress test your portfolio to see how your money would fare in a financial crisis like the one we had in 2008-09. Keep in mind that once you’re no longer contributing to your retirement accounts, a serious loss can be devastating.
4. If you’re married, give some thought to what will happen to the surviving spouse when one of you dies.
You probably know that the lower Social Security check will go away. Sometimes, so, too, does a pension payment; even if the pension participant chose the joint survivor option, the payment could be reduced. The surviving spouse could struggle financially as well as emotionally. Think about how you’ll replace that income – with life insurance or some other source.
5. Keep in mind the high cost of health care and long-term care.
Americans are living longer, which is wonderful, but it could mean more bills down the road for prescriptions, vision and dental care and long-term care if you or your spouse suffers from dementia or a chronic illness. According to the latest Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median monthly cost for adult day health care was $1,473 in 2016; for an assisted living facility, it was $3,628; and for a private room in a nursing home, it was $7,698.
To find out the costs of long-term care in your area, check out the Genworth survey here. You also can check out AARP’s Long-Term Care Calculator. You also can find out what Medicare will and will not cover here, along with options for handling those costs.
Once you’ve done your research and have a written plan, think about talking to a financial professional (preferably one who specializes in retirement income and who is a fiduciary) about what to do next. Or, if this all just seems too overwhelming, start there. But don’t put it off any longer.
And the next time you see a news story about Baby Boomers and retirement, you can shake your head and be glad you are prepared. Because you’ve got this!
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
Christopher A. Murray is a professional financial adviser, insurance professional and president of the Maryland-based Murray Financial Group. He is a Certified Fund Specialist, Board Certified in Mutual Funds and a Certified Senior Consultant. Murray has produced and hosted the weekly "Your Financial Editor" radio show for 17 years and provides daily business and financial market updates. He is an active member of the National Press Club and has contributed to several publications, including "The Wall Street Journal."
-
Is a Phased Retirement Right for You?
Want to keep working, just not as hard? A phased retirement may just be the answer.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
Four Tips to Make Your Sales Presentation a Winner
Being prepared and not being boring can go a long way toward persuading a potential customer to buy into what you’re offering.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Four Tips to Make Your Sales Presentation a Winner
Being prepared and not being boring can go a long way toward persuading a potential customer to buy into what you’re offering.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Pros and Cons of Waiting Until 70 to Claim Social Security
Waiting until 70 to file for Social Security benefits comes with a higher check, but there could be financial consequences to consider for you and your family.
By Patrick M. Simasko, J.D. Published
-
Now Could Be Time for Private Investors to Make Their Mark
The venture capital crunch may be easing, but it isn't over yet. That means there could be direct investment opportunities for private deal investors.
By Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® Published
-
How to Stop Boredom From Ruining Your Happy Retirement
Retirees who explore new interests and have an active social life are more likely to find joy — and even greatness — in the newfound freedom of retirement.
By Richard P. Himmer, PhD Published
-
The Life-or-Death Answers We Owe Our Loved Ones
How our life ends isn’t always up to us, but that question too often must be answered by loved ones and health care workers who don’t know what we would want.
By Joel Theisen, RN Published
-
Hot Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers Right Now
Real estate looks to be especially hopping this spring, thanks to pent-up demand and buyers adjusting to higher mortgage rates. Here’s how you can prepare.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
Is 100 the New 70?
Eating well, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and managing chronic stress can help make you a SuperAger. Funding that long life requires longevity literacy.
By Phil Wright, Certified Fund Specialist Published
-
Nine Lessons to Be Learned From the Hilton Family Trust Contest
Disclaimers, good communication, post-marital agreements and more could help avoid conflict in a family after the owners of a wealthy estate pass away.
By John M. Goralka Published