Someone asked us this past week if we would explain what the “Four Percent” rule is and how it came about. The Four Percent rule is based on a study by a financial advisor named William Bengen. His study suggested that one could safely withdraw 4% of their starting portfolio value for 30 years without running out of money. The rule was later popularized by a 1998 study based on the same data and a similar analysis. Both studies conclude what “the maximum ‘safe’ historical withdrawal rate” is. Call us if you have any questions about how to apply this

There was an interesting article the other day in the Wall Street Journal. The article discussed a recent survey of workers in their 60’s who were asked about their retirement preferences. The author found that the assumptions that are usually embedded in retirement income calculators–for example, good health, not wanting to make a bequest, and claiming social security as soon as you retire–fit only 4% of people. This is important to think about because it highlights that it’s going to be up to you as an individual to factor in your own preferences and needs as you think about the

“Money can’t buy happiness” is an adage that some people live by, and others ignore. According to a recent Purdue study: “income can correlate with emotional well-being and life satisfaction.” But, as a recent GoBankingRates article tells us, the price of happiness differs (apparently) depending on the State you live in. We may have some ideas on how to continue to have an income you can’t outlive post-retirement, which might just contribute to your happiness. Reach out to us. We’re always here to help. Read the GoBankingRates article.

We continue to read articles confirming that, while it certainly is an arduous task to work for decades and plan ahead to afford a comfortable retirement, what continues to unsettle many is the actual transition into a life post-workforce. For example, concerns about losing one’s routine, the fading away of workplace friends, and confronting the fact that you don’t always know what you’ll actually do in retirement. Rest assured, we can talk to you and try to help put your mind at ease. Additionally, we can get you in touch with other clients of ours, so you can discuss this

How much would you consider to be “enough money to retire?” Yes, you want to have enough money to ensure that you don’t go broke, and can afford basic expenses like food, housing, and medical care, but is that really “enough?” What goals do you want to reach in retirement, and what kind of budget will you need to reach them? If you’d like some ideas on how to obtain a source of income you can’t outlive, which may help you reach your goals, reach out to us. We’re always here to help. 

Retirement planning seems to always be all about numbers. Your strategy centers around one question: Do your financial assets provide enough income to fund your desired retirement lifestyle? But, to quote a recent article from Kiplinger, “Ask any retiree, and they will likely tell you that it is only half the story. You’ll need enough money to get by, of course, but you don’t have to be super wealthy to be happy.”  “Once you have a financial retirement plan in place, it is essential to focus on all those things money cannot buy.” What are your thoughts? What do you

Curious about how you compare to others? The “How America Saves 2022” report referenced recently by CNBC might give you that information.  The report states the average retirement savings account balances by age: For those within the 55 to 64 age bracket, the average savings account balance is $256,200. For those age 65 and older, the average savings account balance is $280,000. Besides age, the article tells us that there are many other factors influencing retirement savings, such as income and how long an employee has worked for a company. Not surprisingly, older employees who have been working longer tend

There has been a lot of talk recently about a recession: whether or not one will come, what it would mean, and how it would affect each of us. A recession is defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.”  Usually, this means that the markets decline, businesses tighten up, and employment and wages can be negatively impacted. Call us if you would like to discuss how this might affect your retirement savings. We can speak to you one-on-one

With the downturn in the market these past few months, there is increasing talk about the pros and cons of converting an existing diminished IRA account into a Roth IRA.  Both types of IRAs are designed to help you save for retirement while providing a tax advantage, but they do so in different ways. We thought it might help you to understand the difference. With a traditional IRA, you pay the tax due when you withdraw the funds, and with a Roth IRA, you pay the tax due on the funds you contribute. This way, the withdrawal amount later on

We often think of retirement in terms of ‘having enough money.’ However, there are other considerations. This article dives into these other considerations and divides them into three categories: Regret, Health, and Identity. Interestingly, the author tells us that financial worries weren’t among the top three considerations. Over 15,000 retirees, age 60+ were surveyed. What are your thoughts on this?