In order to plan realistically for the future, you need to have a clear understanding of what money you need when you retire. This will include the cost of living and special activities you will have. It is estimated that you will need to replace about 80% of your pre-retirement earnings in order to keep the standard of living you have been used to.
CHANGING COSTS
A good place to start is to estimate what you are now spending on essentials such as food, clothes, heat, utilities, insurance and taxes. These expenditures will certainly continue after you retire. As will your need for medical and dental care.
Next, calculate which of your day-to-day expenses will decrease and by how much. Perhaps your mortgage will be paid off, your children likely will be self-sufficient, your income and Social Security tax liability may drop dramatically as your sources of income change, clothing costs generally go down.
In addition to your day-to-day needs, it is always a good idea to have funds set aside for an emergency, usually from 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses in a liquid account should suffice. If you rely on investments in stocks or other equities for your emergency fund you risk being forced to sell assets at inopportune times such as when the market is down.
DETERMINING THE NEED
One of the most important steps in retirement planning is accurately estimating how much income you will need. You should review your retirement needs at least once a year, as your financial situation and needs will change often.
If you have concerns or need help calculating the potential shifts in your living expenses during you retirement, click below to schedule a no-obligation meeting or call our office at (704) 450-8352. You can also contact us by email at Douglas@PlanWithAWS.com.
