Created: October 5, 2018
Modified: June 7, 2023
Getting the Important Retirement Decisions Right
What You’ll Learn:
In this Money Wisdom Podcast episode, we learn how to deal with uncertainties that relate to our retirement. We also talk about important decisions that we need to get right before we retire, because they can’t be changed later.
How to Deal With Retirement Uncertainties
- How to plan what we know that we don’t know. Life expectancy. A healthy 65-year-old could live to 95. Many people will live past 100. It’s important to have income and give yourself raises for inflation. Plan to be alive until the age 100.
- Changes in interest rates. Your portfolio is affected by changes in interest rates. Interest rates affect bond rates. If the bond interest rate goes up, you don’t make any money. If you’re near retirement, you need a significant amount of assets that can’t go down. Look into ETFs and insurance products.
- Tax rates in the future. There’s a good chance that taxes will go up, it might be a good idea to investigate things like Roth conversions.
- What happens in the market from year-to-year? We have no idea, but we need to be careful of the averages. Especially since many investors switch in and out, and don’t get those averages.
Important Retirement Decisions You Need to Get Right
- When you start your Social Security. Starting Social Security is a irreversible decision. You need to consider your individual circumstances and include Social Security as one income source in your overall plan.
- Whether you should take the spousal benefit on your pension. There are so many different options. It’s important to get help with making this decision. There are things you can do, like take the full benefit plan but purchase life insurance.
- Whether or not to get life insurance. You need to weigh all of your options before dropping life insurance, or if you need life insurance get a decision as possible.
- Choosing a retirement date can be emotionally irreversible. It’s critical to choose a retirement date that works for you, because it’s hard to get back into the workplace. Plus, there are emotional drawbacks.
Information presented in our podcasts is considered current as of the created date. Over time, some information presented may become stale. We recommend you consult with your Financial Professional before making any changes based on information contained here.
Johnson Brunetti is a marketing name for the businesses of JB Capital and JN Financial.
Investment Advisory Services offered through JB Capital, LLC. Insurance Products offered through JN Financial, LLC.
The guarantees provided by any type of insurance contract are based on the claims-paying ability of the insurance company.
Related Resources
-
Getting It All Together for Retirement
After a long, fulfilling career, the time has come to embrace the next chapter. You may have envisioned the age at which you’d retire since you began working, but it’s important to distinguish bet… -
Key Questions for Planning Your Retirement Income
Replacing your income in retirement is a significant undertaking that raises many important questions and requires careful planning. First and foremost, it’s essential to have a retirement income … -
Health Care Expenses in Retirement
Of all the expenses to expect in retirement, health care often makes up a significant portion of your costs. Monthly premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and services not covered by Medicare can quic… -
Income Planning 101
You’ve spent the last few decades saving for retirement but are you truly prepared? To help address any concerns or uncertainties you may have, you need an income plan – one that considers every f… -
Frequently Asked Social Security Questions
Almost every American is impacted by Social Security in some way, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most frequently asked topics in retirement planning. When and how you start taking benefits… -
Maximizing Your Social Security Income
Social Security can serve as a safety net for many retirees, sometimes acting as a primary source of income. However, the program is highly complex with over 500 ways to claim benefits. Even one o… -
How Much Money Can I Spend in Retirement?
“How much can my spouse and I realistically spend in retirement at age 62 with $1 million saved?” Today’s hypothetical couple is asking the very question that most pre-retirees ponder when gearing… -
What Steps Should I Take If My Retirement Savings Fall Short?
One of the biggest fears today’s pre-retirees and retirees face is running out of money in retirement – but what happens when that once-distant fear becomes your reality? Today’s question addre… -
How Will I Receive Income from My Retirement Savings?
Today’s question centers around the core of retirement planning – how do I turn my retirement savings into retirement income? After decades of building up your nest egg, life after work introduces… -
What Should My Tax Plan Be at Age 65 with $1 Million?
Approaching retirement with $1 million saved is an impressive milestone, but turning those savings into a sustainable income stream requires careful planning. At age 65, many retirees face the cha…