During the stock market turmoil of the past few years, some individuals were reluctant to continue with their retirement investing. The thinking was that because the stock market is so volatile and risky (the downturns of 2008 and 2009 are still fresh in many people’s memories), it might be preferable not to invest at all.
But successful retirement planning relies upon consistent contributions over time. Not saving for retirement at all will certainly lead to problems later. For some people, the recent downturns mean that their retirement account balances are still lower than they were before the significant market declines...
Articles Tagged ‘retirement planning’
Advice on Getting Your Retirement Plan Back on Track in 2012
During the stock market turmoil of the past few years, some individuals were reluctant to continue with their retirement investing. The thinking was that because the stock market is so volatile and risky (the downturns of 2008 and 2009 are still fresh in many people’s memories), it might be preferable not to invest at all.
But successful retirement planning relies upon consistent contributions over time. Not saving for retirement at all will certainly lead to problems later. For some people, the recent downturns mean that their retirement account balances are still lower than they were before the significant market declines...
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
During the stock market turmoil of the past few years, some individuals were reluctant to continue with their retirement investing. The thinking was that because the stock market is so volatile and risky (the downturns of 2008 and 2009 are still fresh in many people’s memories), it might be preferable not to invest at all.
But successful retirement planning relies upon consistent contributions over time. Not saving for retirement at all will certainly lead to problems later. For some people, the recent downturns mean that their retirement account balances are still lower than they were before the significant market declines...
Mistakes That Can Derail Your Retirement
As too many people have learned in recent years, a faltering economy can wreak havoc on your retirement plan. But starting early and investing wisely provides assurance that while you may not end up with as large a nest egg as you had hoped, you will have enough money to sustain you when you retire. More often than not, retirement plans are derailed by our own mistakes rather than economic disaster.
You don’t have to be an investment guru to ensure a comfortable retirement. Some basic financial knowledge and a little common sense go a long way toward keeping your...
Thursday, November 17th, 2011
As too many people have learned in recent years, a faltering economy can wreak havoc on your retirement plan. But starting early and investing wisely provides assurance that while you may not end up with as large a nest egg as you had hoped, you will have enough money to sustain you when you retire. More often than not, retirement plans are derailed by our own mistakes rather than economic disaster.
You don’t have to be an investment guru to ensure a comfortable retirement. Some basic financial knowledge and a little common sense go a long way toward keeping your...
5 Tips to Prepare for Retirement
The face of retirement is changing. People are working longer. The future of social security is being questioned. And the present economy may be adversely impacting your investments and savings. According to the United States Department of Labor; Less than half of Americans have calculated how much they need to save for retirement. In 2009, 13 percent of private industry workers with access to a defined contribution plan (such as a 401(k) plan) did not participate. The average American spends 20 years in retirement.
These are shocking statistics to be sure. Whether you’re facing impending retirement or you have decades...
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
The face of retirement is changing. People are working longer. The future of social security is being questioned. And the present economy may be adversely impacting your investments and savings. According to the United States Department of Labor; Less than half of Americans have calculated how much they need to save for retirement. In 2009, 13 percent of private industry workers with access to a defined contribution plan (such as a 401(k) plan) did not participate. The average American spends 20 years in retirement.
These are shocking statistics to be sure. Whether you’re facing impending retirement or you have decades...
Tapping Your Retirement Funds for an Emergency
As any financial advisor will tell you, it’s important to have some savings set aside just for emergencies. But what if an emergency happens before you’re able to get adequate savings together? Or what if you have an emergency fund, but your emergency turns out to be bigger than your fund is?
If you have a retirement fund, you can withdraw money from it. But this should only be done in the event of a true emergency, because it depletes your retirement savings and may expose you to tax penalties. Still, it’s good to know that those funds are available...
Monday, June 27th, 2011
As any financial advisor will tell you, it’s important to have some savings set aside just for emergencies. But what if an emergency happens before you’re able to get adequate savings together? Or what if you have an emergency fund, but your emergency turns out to be bigger than your fund is?
If you have a retirement fund, you can withdraw money from it. But this should only be done in the event of a true emergency, because it depletes your retirement savings and may expose you to tax penalties. Still, it’s good to know that those funds are available...
Retire Your Debt Before You Retire
In the movies, retirement is a carefree time, filled with vacations and leisure activities. In real life, it’s not always that simple. Financial problems are quite common among retirees, because they usually have substantially less income to work with. For those who retire in debt, making ends meet can be very difficult.
Retiring debt-free can make your retirement years less stressful and more enjoyable. It will leave you with more disposable income, allowing you to do more of the things you looked forward to doing when you no longer had to work.
If you like the idea of eliminating your...
Monday, June 13th, 2011
In the movies, retirement is a carefree time, filled with vacations and leisure activities. In real life, it’s not always that simple. Financial problems are quite common among retirees, because they usually have substantially less income to work with. For those who retire in debt, making ends meet can be very difficult.
Retiring debt-free can make your retirement years less stressful and more enjoyable. It will leave you with more disposable income, allowing you to do more of the things you looked forward to doing when you no longer had to work.
If you like the idea of eliminating your...
Check if Your Company’s Pension Plan Is Safe
Once upon a time, workers who spent many years employed by one company could count on a nice pension once they retired. The longer they stayed at their jobs, the bigger their pension check would be. But these days, pension plans that guarantee a set amount per month upon retirement (known as defined benefit plans) are becoming quite rare, and the more common benefit is now the 401(k) plan. And many of the pension plans that still exist are on shaky ground.
Pension plans can go south in a couple of ways. Many companies have frozen their pension plans, which...
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
Once upon a time, workers who spent many years employed by one company could count on a nice pension once they retired. The longer they stayed at their jobs, the bigger their pension check would be. But these days, pension plans that guarantee a set amount per month upon retirement (known as defined benefit plans) are becoming quite rare, and the more common benefit is now the 401(k) plan. And many of the pension plans that still exist are on shaky ground.
Pension plans can go south in a couple of ways. Many companies have frozen their pension plans, which...
Retirement Tips for Baby Boomers Hitting 65
Retirement is supposed to be something to look forward to. Yet some baby boomers that are approaching retirement age are doing so with a sense of uncertainty. Do they have enough saved up to make it through their retirement years? How will they keep themselves occupied? What happens if they need long term care?
Even if you’re excited about retiring, it’s crucial that you plan for it properly. Failure to do so could leave you scrambling to make ends meet at a time when going back to work is not an option.
Here is some advice and tips that will...
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Retirement is supposed to be something to look forward to. Yet some baby boomers that are approaching retirement age are doing so with a sense of uncertainty. Do they have enough saved up to make it through their retirement years? How will they keep themselves occupied? What happens if they need long term care?
Even if you’re excited about retiring, it’s crucial that you plan for it properly. Failure to do so could leave you scrambling to make ends meet at a time when going back to work is not an option.
Here is some advice and tips that will...
How to Stretch Your Retirement Savings
The average retiree doesn’t have nearly enough money in his retirement fund to make it all the way through retirement. Even above-average retirees often have trouble making ends meet at some point. So unless you’re independently wealthy with no worries except for who to leave your money to when you’re gone, you’ll probably want to stretch your retirement dollars as far as possible.
Most retirees have already paid off their mortgages, which substantially lowers their monthly expenses. But estimates of how much money you’ll need to retire on usually account for that, so don’t count on it to make too...
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
The average retiree doesn’t have nearly enough money in his retirement fund to make it all the way through retirement. Even above-average retirees often have trouble making ends meet at some point. So unless you’re independently wealthy with no worries except for who to leave your money to when you’re gone, you’ll probably want to stretch your retirement dollars as far as possible.
Most retirees have already paid off their mortgages, which substantially lowers their monthly expenses. But estimates of how much money you’ll need to retire on usually account for that, so don’t count on it to make too...
Should You Delay Retirement?
There was a time when we frequently heard about workers taking early retirement. But these days, it’s pretty unusual. In fact, even retiring on time is becoming less and less common. For various reasons, many senior workers are opting to stay in the workforce longer.
Some who are approaching retirement age fear that they will become bored and depressed if they stop working, so they stay on. Studies have shown that many individuals are happier and healthier with the continuous challenges and structure of their jobs and careers.
But in most cases, the decision to delay retirement is mostly about finances....
Friday, March 25th, 2011
There was a time when we frequently heard about workers taking early retirement. But these days, it’s pretty unusual. In fact, even retiring on time is becoming less and less common. For various reasons, many senior workers are opting to stay in the workforce longer.
Some who are approaching retirement age fear that they will become bored and depressed if they stop working, so they stay on. Studies have shown that many individuals are happier and healthier with the continuous challenges and structure of their jobs and careers.
But in most cases, the decision to delay retirement is mostly about finances....








