Planning for retirement is very important. Many people are living longer today, and therefore, it is possible for a person to live another twenty or thirty years after they stop working. To ensure that this period of your life is a good one, there are lots of tips you might want to consider for how to retire comfortably and happy.
Some employers have traditional pension plans, although this is becoming rare these days. If your company offers this, you should check whether you are covered by the pension plan. If so, ask for a benefit statement so that you can see what your benefits are worth. If you plan to change your job, be sure to ask if your pension benefits can be transferred to the new employer.
If retirement seems like a big leap for you, then you can always ease into it gradually. Some financial planners recommend people take mini-retirements to get used to not working. This could involve taking an extended vacation or a sabbatical from work for a couple of months to travel, pursue new activities, or just relax from the routine of everyday life.
For many retirees, volunteering becomes a big part of their life and takes up many of the hours that a regular job would have. Many of them view this as a means of giving back to their community. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to volunteer in a soup kitchen. You can volunteer as a consultant for a non-profit organization, a substitute teacher, or a mentor to young people.
It also helps if you have a supportive spouse who shares your goals. You are going to have to decide if one spouse will retire before the other, or whether you will do it at the same time. This may create a shift in household responsibilities if one person continues working while the other suddenly has more free time, so be sure that you talk this through before the change happens.
Diversification is important. You should allocate your savings in various types of investment vehicles. Doing this will help you to reduce your risk and improve your investment returns over time. Also remember that your investment allocation will change over time, depending on your age, how close you are to retirement, and your financial circumstances.
You also need to know what your financial needs are. Many financial advisors suggest that you aim to replace at least seventy percent of your income when you retire. This is the average amount needed to sustain you after you quit working. Some people may need more or less, depending on their personal circumstances.
You should also find out about your Social Security benefits that you may be entitled to. Social Security normally pays you a benefit that is equal to forty percent of your earnings before you retire. You can estimate your benefits by using the Social Security Administration website or calling them for more information.
Some employers have traditional pension plans, although this is becoming rare these days. If your company offers this, you should check whether you are covered by the pension plan. If so, ask for a benefit statement so that you can see what your benefits are worth. If you plan to change your job, be sure to ask if your pension benefits can be transferred to the new employer.
If retirement seems like a big leap for you, then you can always ease into it gradually. Some financial planners recommend people take mini-retirements to get used to not working. This could involve taking an extended vacation or a sabbatical from work for a couple of months to travel, pursue new activities, or just relax from the routine of everyday life.
For many retirees, volunteering becomes a big part of their life and takes up many of the hours that a regular job would have. Many of them view this as a means of giving back to their community. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to volunteer in a soup kitchen. You can volunteer as a consultant for a non-profit organization, a substitute teacher, or a mentor to young people.
It also helps if you have a supportive spouse who shares your goals. You are going to have to decide if one spouse will retire before the other, or whether you will do it at the same time. This may create a shift in household responsibilities if one person continues working while the other suddenly has more free time, so be sure that you talk this through before the change happens.
Diversification is important. You should allocate your savings in various types of investment vehicles. Doing this will help you to reduce your risk and improve your investment returns over time. Also remember that your investment allocation will change over time, depending on your age, how close you are to retirement, and your financial circumstances.
You also need to know what your financial needs are. Many financial advisors suggest that you aim to replace at least seventy percent of your income when you retire. This is the average amount needed to sustain you after you quit working. Some people may need more or less, depending on their personal circumstances.
You should also find out about your Social Security benefits that you may be entitled to. Social Security normally pays you a benefit that is equal to forty percent of your earnings before you retire. You can estimate your benefits by using the Social Security Administration website or calling them for more information.
About the Author:
discover tips on how to retire comfortably and happy by reviewing our insightful site. We have all the relevant resource right here at http://www.retirementwow.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment