You saved religiously for your retirement years, but what do you do with the money now that you're actually retired? If you saved aggressively, you'll likely have a large amount in your retirement savings. However, you need to make it last for an unknown amount of time. Planning and prioritizing can help you manage your retirement savings successfully.
Even if you had a budget before retirement, your financial situation has likely changed a lot since then. You probably don't have commuting expenses or work clothes needs anymore, for instance. If you haven't dusted off your budget in a while, take time to review it and make changes based on your retirement spending. Create a reasonable monthly budget that covers your necessities and gives you the spending money you need to live comfortably.
Go back through your budget and look for ways to reduce your spending. Check for things you don't use, like a gym membership or magazine subscriptions. They might not seem like much, but cutting out even smaller expenses can add up to big savings. You might not need a dry cleaning category in your budget now that you're not going to the office every day.
Debt can take a major chunk out of your retirement savings. Paying off as much debt as possible before you retire can leave more of your savings for your expenses. If you go into retirement with debt, make a plan to pay it down quickly. This frees up more money and reduces how much interest you pay by eliminating debts earlier.
The types of retirement accounts you have come with different income tax implications, so looking at the accounts and learning more about them can help you plan withdrawals strategically. For instance, you pay taxes on the money in your 401(k) when you receive distributions in retirement. How much you receive can also place you in a higher tax bracket, so keep this in mind when deciding on your distribution amounts. Your Social Security income might also be taxed if your income surpasses a certain threshold.
Talking with a financial planner or retirement expert can help you better understand your situation. They can advise you on how much to take in distributions and how changing those amounts can impact your taxes.
You're usually eligible for Social Security at age 62, but you'll receive lower payments for the rest of your life if you start receiving it early. Waiting until you reach the full retirement age, which ranges from 66 to 67 years old depending on your birth year, means you'll receive the maximum amount of Social Security. If you can wait until that age, you'll maximize your monthly payments.
Wouldn't it be nice to spend your golden years traveling the world or dining at the finest restaurants every night? Most people need to be a little more practical when they retire and start living on a fixed income that might be smaller than they're used to receiving. That means you'll need to prioritize your extra spending. You want to balance having fun and doing things you enjoy in retirement with managing your funds wisely so you don't run out too early.
Some seniors look for alternative income streams in their retirement years to make their savings last longer. That could include a part-time job or freelance work in the field you retired from. Starting a business or side hustle is also an option. Keep in mind that these other income sources could impact your taxes, so make sure you understand the implications before starting anything new.
Your personal financial situation and the overall economy might change at any time. That might mean you need to make changes to your distributions or balance your portfolio to optimize your investments. You might realize your distributions don't cover your monthly expenses or you're taking out more than you need. It's also a good idea to monitor how much retirement savings you have left to make sure you still have plenty to support yourself.
Many seniors decide to move in retirement to make their retirement funds last longer. Owning a home comes with expenses, even if your mortgage is paid off. You still have property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance costs and repairs. If you have a larger home than you need, you're paying to heat and cool spaces that go unused.
Downsizing to a smaller home can improve your financial situation and leave more of your retirement funds for your current expenses. If you sell a larger home, you can apply those funds toward a smaller, less-expensive home and have lower upkeep expenses. Smaller homes also encourage a minimalist lifestyle, which can save you more money.
If you need a little help with everyday tasks, you might consider a move to assisted living at Collinwood. With fixed monthly payments, you can budget easily. Plus, you don't have to worry about upkeep or repairs that can sometimes result in high unexpected costs.
