Many people are finding themselves out of work right now, and some may be getting close to retirement. If you suffer a job loss near retirement, there are steps you can take to make sure your finances are safe.
1. Assess and Adjust Your Budget.
Do you know what you are spending money on every month? One of the first steps you should take after a job loss is assessing your budget. Sit down and make a list of all of your expenses. Determine what is essential, like your mortgage, car payments and health care. Are there places where you can cut back? You could get rid of cable or any streaming services. This may be difficult, but a smaller income means you need to have fewer expenses.
If you are close to retiring and hit with a job loss, depending on what your budget shows you, you may have to delay your retirement. This is a tough situation, and it’s an important time to meet with a financial adviser to see what may be the best plan for you.
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.
2. Evaluate Your Savings.
This is an excellent time to look at what you have saved. If you were a budgeter before you lost your job, you should have a substantial emergency fund saved. Look at all of your accounts, and calculate how long they will last. If you are out of work for six months, will your savings last you?
Between employee retirement accounts and any personal retirement accounts you may have, you need to understand how much you have set aside.
If possible, roll your current 401(k) accounts into an IRA. There are many low-cost investment options. You can roll your 401(k) into a traditional IRA without paying any income taxes. Or you can roll your contributions into a Roth IRA and pay income taxes now, so you can take money out tax-free in retirement. This will also help your money continue to grow tax-free. By rolling your accounts into a traditional or Roth IRA, you are putting this chunk of your money in one place, making it much easier to keep track of.
3. Assess Your Social Security Options.
Are you eligible for your Social Security benefits? The earliest you can take Social Security benefits is 62 years old. For people born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age when you can collect 100% of your benefits, is 67. Claiming your Social Security benefits at 62 will lock you in at a lower amount because you need these benefits to last longer. If you wait until after 67 to claim them, they will grow 8% each year you wait until age 70.
Usually, I would recommend waiting until the full retirement age to claim Social Security, but if you need the income, this can be a good option for you.
4. Have a Plan in Place.
Whether it’s losing a job or encountering another type of financial crisis, we have to be ready to face it. Having a plan in place for that possibility is the best way to protect your finances and keep your retirement on track.
Also, remember that most of the time a job loss is temporary. While it’s very stressful now, it’s likely you’ll eventually return to having a regular income. Working with a financial adviser will help you put together the right plan for you.
-
Fired Up By the Masters and RBC Heritage? See These Homes for Sale By Golf CoursesFive homes for sale near golf courses, for people who can't get enough of the tour.
-
The Economic Impact of the US-China Trade WarThe Letter The US-China trade war will impact US consumers and business. The decoupling process could be messy.
-
Will My Children Inherit Too Much?If you worry about how your children will handle an inheritance, you're not alone. Luckily, you have options — from lifetime gifting to trusts — that can help.
-
Charitable Giving Lessons From Netflix's 'Apple Cider Vinegar'Charity fraud is rife, and a Netflix series provides a timely warning about donating money to a good cause without looking into its background.
-
Four Takeaways From Filing Your Taxes to Boost Your Financial FutureNow that another tax season is in the rearview mirror for most of us, what lessons can you take from what you learned about your finances to plan for the future?
-
What Claims Adjusters Are Thinking vs What They're SayingAfter a natural disaster, few of us are at our best, but here's what to keep in mind when you're interacting with your insurance company's claims adjuster.
-
Looking to Make a Job Change? How to Stand Out Like a ProTo make a strong first impression in interviews or when networking, skip your job title and work history and use an opening gambit that highlights your talents.
-
First 100 Days: Trump's Impact on Your FinancesHere are some opportunities to consider regarding investing, interest rates and tax cuts as the financial landscape shifts under the new administration.
-
What Would Happen if You Put Your Tax Refund in an IRA?Not only could you get a tax break, but the compounding effect over 35 years could turn the average refund into nearly $14,000.
-
Children Can't Afford to Fly the Nest? Here's How to HelpThe high cost of living means more adult children are staying at home. Here are four ways to help financially so they can eventually spread their wings.
