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There are undoubtedly a lot of things to follow when it comes to managing our personal finances. We keep an eye on our spending, our savings, our investments, our debts and even the ups and downs of our credit rating.
Making sure we’re on the right track to retirement may not seem so urgent, but it’s arguably the most important facet of our finances to watch out for. After all, you don’t want to approach your non-working years and realize that you are not financially prepared to quit working.
Select spoke with Andrew Meadows, senior vice president of Ubiquity Retirement + Savings, on what you can do each decade to make sure you’re on track to retire at 67.
In your 20s: save as much as you can
“When you’re just starting out on the job, you might find that retirement feels like a lifetime in the future, â€says Meadows.“ But don’t waste your biggest savings benefit: time. “The sooner you start putting money into your future, the more it can grow.
Start by depositing a percentage of your paycheck each pay period into a 401 (k), if your employer offers one. Many employers also match your contributions up to a certain percentage.
“You might not be maximizing your contributions, but saving at least enough to maximize your business’s match will make you feel like you’re on the right track,†says Meadows.
Your goal at 30: Save once your salary. This benchmark includes money in your savings, retirement, business matchmaking and investment accounts.
What to do if your employer doesn’t offer 401 (k)
IRAs are a great alternative to a 401 (k), and you can set up recurring transfers from every paycheque so you never have the chance to run out of saving for retirement.
When shopping for an IRA, choose an account that has no minimum deposit and offers a variety of investment options. Some of the major suppliers include: Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments, Avant-garde and E * TRADE. Or, consider a robo-advisor who offers IRAs and / or Roth IRAs, like Wealth front Where Improvement, both of which create a personalized portfolio of investments based on your personal goals.
In your 30s: save more
As you age, advance in your career, and earn a higher salary, you probably have more savings capacity than in your 20s. Take this opportunity to contribute Following when you retire with every bonus, increase or promotion at work.
“You know you’re on the right track when you’re able to contribute to this game and start to get closer to maximizing what you’re putting away,†Meadows said. Experts suggest aiming to save at least 15% of your gross pay.
Your goal at 40: Save 3 times your salary.
In your 40s: watch your spending
Your spending will likely increase in your 40s as you grow a family and accept big ticket items like a mortgage. The key is to continue to contribute to your retirement as you did, but monitoring your new expenses to make sure they don’t eat into your progress.
Paying for your child’s college years can make a big dent in your retirement savings later on. Devote your savings to higher education by investing in a 529 account where your income and withdrawals (as long as they are used for qualifying educational expenses) are tax-free.
Your goal at age 50: Save 6 times your income.
In your 50s: Examine the details
Your 50s is a great time to get down to the serious business of financing your retirement. Meadows suggests using these years to sketch a budget and a list of potential expenses. Future retirees may also want to consult a financial planner who can help them create a personalized plan.
At 50, don’t forget the extra boost to your savings by using catch-up contributions. “The catch-up contributions in the 401 (k) are there because you may not have saved enough in the past 20 years,†says Meadows. Workers 50 and over can contribute $ 6,500 per year in their 401 (k) and another $ 1,000 in their IRA.
Your goal at age 60: Save 8 times your income.
In your sixties: reassess
“Now that you’re in your 60s, it’s a critical time to make sure you’ve saved enough,†Meadows says. If you find that this is not the case, it may help to take last minute measures that can save you a considerable amount of money, such as reducing your lifestyle.
Matt Rogers, CFP and Director of Financial Planning at Electronic money advisor, also suggest getting a Social Security Estimate from the social security administration to confirm the expected benefits. “It will help set expectations and make plans more realistic,†Rogers said. “Often, it is estimated that Social Security replaces 30-40% of pre-retirement income.” Remember to also check that retirement plans and pensions have the correct beneficiary.
Keep in mind that delaying the collection of Social Security does pay off. Although you can start receiving benefits at 62, you are entitled to 100% of the benefits when you reach full retirement age. Waiting for 70 years means that the amount of your benefits increases even more.
Your goal when you retire at 67: Save 10 times your income.
Track your retirement with these financial apps
electronic money mobile financial planning and well-being application, Motivation, is a useful tool for tracking retirement savings and comparing current pension plan balances with an income multiple based on age.
The Personal capital Another popular option with retirement savings is the budgeting app. In addition to being a basic budgeting app, Personal Capital acts as an investment tool related to your bank accounts and credit cards, as well as IRAs, 401 (k), mortgages, and loans. Its money tracking dashboard makes it easy to have an overview of all your personal finances in one place.
Editorial note: Any opinions, analysis, criticism or recommendations expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the editorial staff of Select and have not been reviewed, endorsed or otherwise approved by any third party.
