The Retirement Planning Guide

• Do you want to travel the world?
• Do you want to finally enjoy your local restaurant scene?
• Do you want to live frugally, or is it time to spoil yourself and enjoy a life of luxury?
• Do you want to volunteer your time and talents?
• Do you want to stay in your current home, or do you want to downsize to that countryside cottage you’ve been dreaming of?
• Do you want to move to be closer to your kids and grandkids—does that mean a higher cost of living?
• Do you want to spend all of your waking hours on the golf course or in pottery class?
• Maybe you’re just looking to throw out your alarm clock, slow down, and enjoy the life you’ve built.

These questions are designed to help make sure that your money fuels your goals, rather than your goals being set simply around making money.

That being said, there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. You’ve worked hard for decades and earned the ability to live the retirement lifestyle that you want, but answering these questions will help you better understand what contributes to costs associated with your retirement lifestyle.

So first things first:

You need to figure out when you want to retire (i.e., how old you will be when you leave the workforce). Of course, you don’t have to pinpoint the exact day you expect to call it a career. But getting a ballpark idea will help you determine how to best prepare for your retirement. For reference, the University of Southern California’s School of Gerontology reported:

• A woman turning age 65 can expect to live, on average, to age 86.6
• 65-year-old women who will celebrate their 90th birthday 33%
• A man turning age 65 can expect to live, on average, to age 84.3

Creating your retirement timeline depends on what lifestyle goals you set and what sources of income you plan to rely on. You can use the following considerations to get started:

Retirement Timeline Consideration: Healthcare

Beyond Social Security benefits, there are other considerations to keep in mind as you determine your timeline for retirement. If you’re currently employed, you may have relied on corporate healthcare insurance which means navigating Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplemental Plans can be overwhelming.

To keep the evaluation of healthcare simpler, stay focused on what matters to you. There are three aspects of your care: your doctor, your medications, and your hospital.

Consideration: Ask your financial advisors to help you shop for the right Medicare plans. A proactive financial advisor will even follow up with insurers for you as part of their Medicare analysis. Keep in mind that your healthcare costs will likely increase over time. While Medicare coverage kicks in at age 65, Medicare does not cover long-term care—something that 70 percent of individuals over 65 use at some point.

Think about your older family members and the health issues they’ve encountered. Does Aunt Linda’s high blood pressure or Grandpa George’s back problem run in the family? 

Do you have a family history of dementia?

There are an estimated 5 million Americans currently living with age-related dementias. This means about one of every six women and one of every ten men living past the age of 55 will develop dementia. This number is expected to rise as the US population grows and life expectancies rise.

According to the 2018 Costs, Accountabilities, Realities and Expectations (C.A.R.E.) Study on long-term caregiving related to dementia, Americans are spending an average of $273 per month on medical supplies alone and more than half said they didn’t plan on being a caregiver and were financially unprepared.

Also think about your current medical expenses that you will continue to pay, such as yearly wellness exams and ongoing medications.

Depending on your situation, it may make sense to delay your retirement a little while longer to take advantage of employer-sponsored healthcare plans.

Retirement Timeline Consideration: Social Security

If you are planning to rely on Social Security to support you through your retirement, there are some important factors you should know.

Currently, the standard retirement age in the United States is 66 years and two months. According to the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), this number will inch up over time; folks born after 1960, for example, won’t be able to collect the full Social Security benefits until they’re 67.

You can always opt to retire early at age 62. In doing so, you can expect reduced Social Security benefits. While you need to be 67 to retire with full benefits, those who retire at age 62 will receive only 70 percent of their Social Security benefits, and those who retire at age 65 will receive only 86.7 percent.

On the other hand, did you know that every month you delay receiving your retirement benefits after age 66 will increase your monthly benefit? Currently your benefit will grow 8 percent year over year until you are 70 years old. However, this does not last forever. Once you turn 70 years old, the benefit stops increasing and it requires government policy to remain.

Some might feel more comfortable delaying retirement in the hopes of earning a more predictable, higher benefit check down the road.

We hear from clients who worry about the future of Social Security, but we remind them that the Social Security Trust Fund is only part of the funding for Social Security payments. According to a 2010 Social Security bulletin by Stephen Goss, Social Security can fund 76 percent of payments on tax revenue alone and an increase from 12.4 percent to 14.4 percent payroll tax or a 13 percent reduction in benefits could help sustain Social Security for another 75 years.

But you shouldn’t rely on Social Security alone. In the early 1930s, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security bill into law, his intention for the program was to protect unemployed and retired Americans “against the hazards and vicissitudes of life” as a safety net—not a sole source of income.

Retirement Timeline Consideration: Staying in the Workforce

Do you really want to retire? Or do you just want to retire from your current job? Work can be a large part of identity and purpose in life—not just a paycheck—and we find that many people want to keep working just in another job. Some look for part-time work; some start wineries.

Of course, the jobs can provide income, healthcare benefits, and social interaction that can help make retirement more affordable and meaningful. Whether it’s because of the finances or the social aspects, we see more people work in retirement.

1. 401(k) plans

One of the most popular types of retirement accounts, 401(k) plans are available through many employers. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) plan—or if you’re self-employed — you can create your own, assuming you meet certain requirements (e.g., proving you’re responsible for your own income and you make a certain amount of money).

In 2019, those who participate in 401(k) plans are able to put up to $19,000 of pre-tax income in their accounts. Generally speaking, contribution limits increase over time (in 2018, the maximum contribution was $18,500). Those over the age of 50 can also make “catch-up contributions,” deferring an additional $6,000 to traditional 401(k) plans each year; Congress passed this provision in 2001 to help ensure baby boomers had enough money set aside for retirement. Individuals that qualify for catch-up contributions can put up to $25,000 into their 401(k) plans in 2019.

Many employers offer to match your 401(k) contributions up to a certain amount. For example, an employer might agree to match 50 percent of your contribution and/or up to 8 percent of your salary. Read the fine print of your company’s matching policy to understand the terms of your employer’s plan. Some employers might not release their contributions to you unless you’ve worked there for a specific amount of time.

Consider: Ask your financial advisor to review your retirement benefits and integrate them into your retirement plan. Afterall, that’s what we’re here for.

You may also be able to borrow from your 401(k) during a financial crisis—however this money must be repaid with interest or face penalties.

Unlike with a personal account or an IRA, you may have less flexibility in the securities in which you can invest. Finally, you can be hit with a 10 percent penalty if you withdraw funds before you turn 59½.

For many, however, the pros of 401(k) plans outweigh the cons.

2. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)

IRAs are another kind of retirement account that offers potential tax benefits.

Unlike with 401(k) plans, employers don’t factor into the equation here. Anyone can open up an IRA, and qualified individuals can have an IRA and a 401(k) plan at the same time. Since they are retirement accounts that you control, IRAs let you buy and sell securities without paying capital gains taxes. However, taxes may have to be paid prior to contributing to an IRA or after withdrawal.

In 2019, individuals are allowed to deposit up to $6,000 in an IRA—and up to $7,000 if they are at least 50 years old by the end of this year. (Like with 401(k) plans, IRA limits increase over time. In 2018, the maximum contribution was $5,500—and $6,500 for those 50 and older.)

Here are the two most common types of IRAs:

• A traditional IRA is funded with tax-deferred dollars. You’ll need to pay taxes on your funds when you withdraw them during retirement. Since you don’t pay taxes up front, you have more funds to invest.
• A Roth IRA is funded with post-tax dollars. Since you’ve already paid taxes on these funds, you don’t have to pay taxes when you receive qualified distributions.

Some people drop to a lower tax bracket when their income decreases in retirement. This may provide an opportunity to convert a regular IRA into a Roth, called a Roth conversion. In a Roth conversion, you can pay your capital gains taxes up front to switch your IRA to a Roth, where you won’t pay taxes on distributions in the future. We highly recommend consulting with a tax professional or financial advisor and doing tax projections prior to trying this retirement strategy.

Like with 401(k) plans, you may be hit with a 10 percent penalty if you take money out of your IRA before you turn 59½. There are also penalties for withdrawing too late.

By April 1 after you turn 70½, you must take the required minimum distribution (known as an RMD) from certain accounts such as your traditional IRA and 401(k).

3. Health savings accounts (HSAs)

In an era of ever-increasing healthcare costs, many people include HSAs in their retirement plans.

You may qualify for an HSA if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan. These accounts can be funded with either pre-tax contributions or with post-tax income, which then becomes tax-deductible. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

Simply put, HSAs may allow you the opportunity to lower your taxable income while helping you accrue cash you can use to cover your medical expenses without paying taxes on those funds. In 2019, the limits for HSA contributions are $3,500 for an individual and $7,000 for a family (those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000).

4. 529 plans

According to the College Board, a moderate budget for in-state public colleges averaged $25,890 for the 2018-2019 school year. Private college costs doubled that figure, with the average budget coming in at $52,500. Multiply either figure by four and factor several kids into the mix, and all of a sudden college costs may have a significant impact on your retirement plan.

Enter the 529 plan, which is another type of tax-advantaged account that may play a role in your retirement plan. These plans, which are sponsored by states under Section 529 of the tax code, encourage workers to save for future education costs.

Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of 529 plans:

• Prepaid tuition plans enable participants to pay current tuition fees ahead of time for a beneficiary, usually at public or in-state colleges and universities. These funds cannot be used to cover room and board costs. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), these funds may or may not be guaranteed, so it’s possible that you can lose this money during difficult financial periods. Make sure you understand the potential risks of a prepaid tuition plan before participating.
• Education savings plans enable participants to enjoy tax relief while saving for a future beneficiary’s tuition, fees, and room and board costs. Typically, these accounts may invest in mutual funds, bonds, and ETFs. According to the SEC, these accounts can be used to pay $10,000 per year per beneficiary at any public or private elementary or secondary school. Keep in mind that this regulation applies federally, but not all states complied with the regulation. This means that if you use it for elementary or secondary education in California, you could face a penalty. It is also worth noting that if these funds are not used for qualified educational events, you may incur penalties and any potential tax deferment would be waived. Always consult a tax professional prior to opening an Educational Savings Plan.

1. Savings

Money in the bank may provide peace of mind. But with the lower interest rates, savings accounts may be vulnerable to inflation risk.

However, a number of high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) have emerged in recent years. Many of these accounts provide a way to grow your savings when compared to traditional savings accounts and may be FDIC insured up to $250,000.

In 2019, leading HYSAs offer interest rates higher than 2 percent. At brick-and-mortar banks, you can expect interest rates somewhere in the 0.09 percent range. That’s a big difference, particularly when you factor in compound interest.

2. Social Security

As mentioned earlier, your monthly Social Security benefit can be affected by the age you choose to retire at. If you’re not sure whether you’d be fine retiring earlier or whether it makes more sense to try to keep working until you’re 70, a qualified financial advisor can help you figure out the best path forward.

In any case, the average retiree will get $1,461 in Social Security benefits each month in 2019, according to The Motley Fool. Through this lens, Social Security alone will likely not be enough to sustain your retirement lifestyle.

3. Personal Investments

As you prepare for retirement, you may want to create a personal investment account or brokerage account that enables you to invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities.

Your investments should be tailored to your individual needs, objectives, and risk temperament. It is typically recommended to take a strategically diversified approach to investments.

Your money can be more flexible in brokerage accounts. You can withdraw it whenever you want without paying penalties for withdrawing your assets—unlike with 401(k) plans and IRAs—in the event you need your money before you’ve reached retirement age. You will have to pay capital gains taxes when you sell for a profit; investments held for less than a year are taxed at a higher rate than investments held for a year or longer.

In addition to a personal account, you may have real estate investments that can be used to supplement your retirement income. The monthly income, annual appreciation, and the tangible structures may be a good fit in your portfolio. But make sure to consider the costs to upkeep, property taxes, property management fees and/or the time required to manage tenants. Navigating the investment world can be notoriously difficult. Financial advisors can help here, too.

4. Pensions

While pensions have essentially been replaced by 401(k) plans in the private sector, some 13 percent of private sector employees still participate in pension programs—as do the 22 million Americans who work for federal, state, and local governments.

5. Annuities

Annuities are another kind of retirement vehicle where you pay an insurance company a lump sum or make a series of payments in exchange for funds either now or at some point in the future. They’re like 401(k) plans in the sense that these investments are tax-deferred and can be withdrawn without penalty only after age 59½ or can be structured with periodic payments.

According to Investopedia, annuities can either be fixed, variable, or indexed. Fixed annuities guarantee a certain amount of your account at specific intervals. Variable annuities, on the other hand, are often tied to mutual funds and, therefore, are risky based on the performance of specific securities. Indexed annuities, which are tied to the performance of the market (e.g., $SPY), lie somewhere in the middle.

Annuities can be high-fee investment options that are problematic because of the surrender period. The surrender period is when your funds are locked, sometimes for more than 10 years. During this period, you can incur a 10 percent withdrawal, or surrender, fee if part or all of your annuity balance is touched.

Ask your financial advisor about how an annuity can fit into your retirement plan. In some cases, annuities help people who come into a large sum of money and want to protect themselves from overspending with controlled withdrawal schedules.

6. Create a Tax Plan

Once you retire, your income is likely to go down. Depending on your unique situation, this could be an opportunity to consider your tax planning options—like rolling a 401(k) into a Roth IRA or selling your house in retirement when you may be in a lower tax bracket.

Remember, you’ll have to pay taxes when you withdraw from your traditional IRA and your 401(k)—which, in most cases, you are required to start doing by April 1 of the year after you turn 70½. If you don’t take minimum distributions on time, you may get hit with additional tax penalties.

A certified tax professional paired with a qualified financial advisor can help you develop a tax plan.

• What is your savings plan?
• What does your comprehensive portfolio look like?
• What is your investment plan?
• Will you have enough money to retire?

Life Insurance

If something were to happen to you or your spouse, not only could your life get upended, but so could your retirement plan. The goal of life insurance is to protect you from tragic loss, but we recommend evaluating these plans well beforehand with your financial advisor before buying.

Keep in mind that some financial advisors receive commissions or incentives to sell you insurance products, so it may be worthwhile to evaluate your options with a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor who is required to advise in your best interest.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Most parents don’t want to be a burden on their kids. If you combine that with the desire most people have to live in their homes, you can see why many people purchase long term care insurance that can cover skilled nursing care, therapies (occupational, speech, physical, and rehabilitation), and personal care, including bathing and dressing.

This type of high-touch care is not cheap, costing thousands of dollars a month. At this stage in life, it can be more difficult to address this type of financial strain in retirement. Long-term care may cover adult day service, hospice care, respite care, assisted living facilities, Alzheimer’s special care facilities, and nursing homes.

Estate Planning, Trusts, and Advance Directives

As you develop your retirement plans, you might want to get your affairs in order so you can take care of your spouse and your family.

You may also want to consider whether it makes sense to protect your assets by forming a living trust. This estate planning tool enables trust creators to control their assets during their lifetime. Once they pass away, assets are then distributed to specific beneficiaries based on the terms outlined in the trust.

Depending on your trust, the benefits can include: beneficiaries may avoid probate court, and holdings remain private—not part of the public record.

But not everyone needs a trust. For many, a will and testament—which goes into effect only after the creator dies, unlike a trust, which goes into effect once it’s established— will suffice. Wills cover only property that is in the creator’s name alone; any property held jointly (e.g., with a spouse) or by a trust is exempt.

You may want to outline your end-of-life care wishes in an advance directive. It’s a tough subject to deal with, but in those emotional periods, it can help alleviate your loved ones’ burden of decision-making.

To avoid the stress and develop a plan that aligns with your vision, work with an experienced estate attorney and financial advisor who can advise you along the way.

• What safeguards and insurance do you have for your retirement?
• Do you have your estate plan done?
• Do you have long term care insurance?
• Do you have your wishes in order?
• Have you designated your successor trustee?
• Do you have your beneficiaries correctly named?