We all aspire to have a secure retirement where we can focus on our passions and family without having to worry about money. But according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute, only 22% of Americans are confident that they will have enough resources for a comfortable retirement. What’s worse, of those who feel very confident in their plan, many are unaware of unforeseen risks to their retirement. Here are three common yet unexpected reasons your retirement plan could fail: 1. Forced Early Retirement
Being forced into retirement early is more common than you may think. The Employee Benefits Research Institute data shows that 47% of retirees stopped working sooner than they had planned. Working fewer years than expected can also decrease your Social Security benefits during retirement. If you want to protect yourself from this risk, you need to plan for the unexpected. First, ensure you have adequate disability insurance to protect your income in the event of an illness or disability, especially if you’re a high earner. If you are laid off, do not take a severance offer until you speak with someone who can help evaluate what your company has provided and negotiate for more, if appropriate. Finally, keep your resume and skills sharp throughout your career to increase your likelihood of finding another job if you are laid off. 2. Premature Loss of a Spouse
Often, a husband plans to work until retirement, and both spouses intend to live from his company pension and Social Security benefits. However, depending on the pension benefits selected, the husband’s pension may not pay out in the event of his death. This could also decrease the spousal Social Security benefits the wife receives, leaving her with little income. It’s critical to involve both spouses in the planning process and consider benefits for the surviving spouse. Examine multiple scenarios and make sure that you are taken care of no matter what happens. Life insurance may be a solution, with some companies selling first-to-die policies that could protect against this risk. Wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations must be reviewed to ensure both spouses are protected financially. Finally, you will want to create a pension and Social Security strategy to optimize the benefit for your surviving spouse. 3. Health Care Costs that Drain Your Nest Egg
When selecting your health insurance for retirement, it’s important to work with an experienced professional to choose the plan that best fits your needs. Understanding all Medicare options and supplements will help you evaluate your choices. Many people don’t know that basic Medicare has no cap on out-of-pocket expenses. A supplement is required to achieve a limit on costs. Comprehensive insurance is more expensive but can limit unexpected expenses. If you plan to retire before age 65, be sure to get a pre-Medicare policy in place. Retirement planning can be complicated and stressful because of the multitude of uncertain factors. However, by planning for the unexpected, you can reduce the chances that your retirement plan will fail. To learn more about retirement options that apply to your unique situation, contact us today at (626) 529-8347 or email me at ricky@hbawealth.com. About Ricky Ricky Biel, CRPC® is a wealth manager with Haydel, Biel & Associates, an independent financial advisory firm serving individuals and families near Pasadena, California. The firm was founded in 2004 by Chris Haydel and Ricky Biel with a desire to provide unbiased, client-centered, community-based financial advice. Together, they built a practice that has grown into a family of caring, smart professionals committed to blending proven investment methodologies with cutting edge financial technologies that make it easier than ever to accomplish your goals. To meet and see how the HBA Wealth team may be able to help, contact them today at (626) 529-8347 or email Ricky directly at ricky@hbawealth.com. |
Three Unexpected Reasons Your Retirement Plan May Fail
As you accumulate wealth and build your retirement savings, there is always a risk that your career could end prematurely due to poor health, disability, a job loss, or the responsibility of caring for a family member. Early retirement can destroy even the most well-laid retirement plans. This is particularly the case for high earners, where the loss of income during the final years of their working life can cause financial disaster.
Losing your spouse is devastating, whether they are near their life expectancy or not. But losing a spouse during the final years of their career can be dangerous for the surviving spouse’s financial plan. Furthermore, retirement and long-term care costs may increase without a spouse to share costs and provide care.
According to the