Your financial future begins now!

Make text smaller Make text larger

“I don’t feel old and I am going to fight it every step of the way!” Boomers have a very different view of their retirement and it is not their parent’s retirement. According to a Merrill Lynch survey, boomers plan to be more active, have a higher standard of living, keep working, start a business or continue their education. Considering that I am in the “boomer” category, I whole-heartedly support all those ideas. However, to make those dreams a reality, there are several steps that each boomer should take.

Create a plan

If you don’t know where you are and haven’t decided where you’re going, you’re not likely to get there.

Planning for retirement takes legwork, not guess work. While we may all have goals, without a plan and implementation they are just dreams.

Most of us believe our expenses will decrease in retirement, however, with our new view of retirement that may not be true. Statistically we will live longer and we have to factor in the rising cost of health care and the potential for long-term care. Certainly no one wants to outlive their money!

Don’t confuse certainty with risk-free

For a pre-retiree, risk represents not reaching your long-term goals.

Putting your money in a cash deposit feels very safe you know you will get every penny back plus some interest but if the interest rate is less than the rate of inflation there is a risk that you won’t reach your retirement goals.

You may plan to work after retirement to supplement your income but according to LIMRA, a global association of insurance and financial services companies, two out of five people retire earlier than planned due to a number of factors, including redundancy or illness. Don’t base your financial wellbeing on a retirement job because you may not be able to work due to circumstances beyond your control or the sheer fact of other boomers competing for part-time work.

Make sure your life

partner shares your

retirement vision

A recent survey by Fidelity Investments showed that 33 percent of couples do not agree on retirement lifestyle expectations. If you haven’t shared financial decisions up to now, it is time to start. With a fixed retirement income, it is more important than ever to agree on how to spend your nest egg.

Make your dreams

affordable

While the prospect of owning your own vineyard or luxury yacht may be your retirement dream, your finances may not match your vision. Don’t give up on the goal, change it slightly. Plan to spend two weeks a year touring different vineyards, or charter a yacht and enjoy an open sea voyage. The reality of day-to-day life may not be as appealing as your idealistic image of your dream and a taste of your passion may be more than satisfying.

Top up your

retirement funds

If you are behind in saving for your retirement, it’s time to take an honest look at your current spending. Most people are at their peak earning years between the ages of 50 and 65. Don’t live beyond your means, rather pay yourself by automatically investing a set amount each month. Starting at age 50, every $200 per month you invest at 4.5 percent interest can add almost $50,000 to your retirement nest egg.

Work with a professional

A professional financial planner will create a plan that will start from where you are today, help you clarify your goals for retirement and map out ways to get there. They will also provide forecasts on your retirement cash flow and when you may expect to run out of money. We are all busy and few of us take the time to really plan our future. By using a professional, who will take a holistic look at your future beyond just investing, you will not only get a great road map towards the next chapter of your life but a clear direction on the next steps to take to give you peace of mind.

n Cindy Campbell is the Chief Operating Officer of AFL Investments

Make text smaller Make text larger

Related Stories

Take Our Poll