RETIREMENT PLANNING

By Michael Mitcham

Retirement planning is important for just about everyone - regardless of education or wealth. It can help you avoid running out of money in retirement.

START SAVING (OR KEEP SAVING)

Start small if you must and try to increase the amount you save each month. It’s never too early or too late to start saving. If your employer offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan, sign up and contribute all you can. Your taxes will be lower, your company may contribute to it, and automatic payroll deductions make it easy.

Otherwise, open a personal Individual Retirement Account (IRA) account. You can put up to $6,000/year into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA); you can contribute even more if you are 50 or older. IRAs also provide tax advantages.

DON’T TOUCH YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS

If you withdraw your retirement savings now, you’ll lose principal and interest, and you may lose tax benefits or have to pay early withdrawal penalties (if you withdraw before age 59 ½). If you change jobs, leave your savings invested in your current retirement plan, or roll them over to an IRA or your new employer’s plan.

MANAGE YOUR EXPENSES

Estimate what you will need to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. Will you be debt free? Will you have a mortgage payment or rent payment? Make sure to estimate your monthly health insurance costs.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYER’S PENSION PLAN

If your employer has a traditional pension plan, check to see if you are covered by the plan and understand how it works. Ask for an individual benefit statement to see what your benefit is worth. Before you change jobs, find out what will happen to your pension benefit.

RESEARCH YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

On average, Social Security retirement benefits replace 40% of preretirement income for retirement beneficiaries. You may be able to estimate your benefit by using the retirement estimator on the Social Security Administration’s website.

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