(NewsUSA)
-Whether you are just starting out with your first job and apartment, or entering the later stages of your working life, there is no wrong time to plan for retirement.
For Millennials and Generation Z, saving may seem less important, but don't discount its importance.
"Even though retirement is decades away, acting now can lead to better financial security throughout your entire life," says Mark Wernig, CFP®, Lead Advisor and Principal at Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors.
For those who are younger, take some smart steps now, and you can reap the benefits whenever you retire. The following tips can help you to save for the future:
- Make saving automatic. Young adults should invest in a 401(k) plan with their employers, with an automatic contribution. This makes saving easy, you don't have to think about it, and you will reap the rewards later.
- Put money back. Many adults deal with debt from student loans, car loans and mortgages. Set financial goals and know the interest rates on your loans, so you can make a budget and try to pay them off as soon as possible.
If you are a Baby Boomer farther along in your career and retirement is fast approaching, don't despair. It's never too late to maximize your savings with these smart strategies:
- Play catch-up. The "catch up" provision for individuals ages 50 years and older lets you add extra money to many corporate retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs.
"Workers age 50 and older can make an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution to an IRA in 2021, for a maximum possible IRA contribution of $7,000 in 2021," says Spencer Betts, CFP®, Chief Compliance Officer and financial consultant at Bickling Financial Services.
- Postpone Social Security. Age matters. The full retirement age for Social Security is 67 for anyone born after 1960. For every year you delay taking your Social Security (age 68 to 70), you increase your benefit by 8%.
- Revisit your health care plan. Health expenses are one of the top sources of spending in retirement. Make sure your health insurance plan meets your needs and do some research to switch plans if necessary. In addition, be aware of health care savings accounts (HSAs), which are pre-tax savings accounts that allow tax-free withdrawals for health expenses. HSAs also have a catch-up option for those over the age of 55.
Regardless of your age, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional can provide guidance and advice as you consider these points in retirement planning:
- What do you want?
- When do you want it?
- How much will it cost?
Visit LetsMakeAPlan.org for more advice on smart money management, and tips on building wealth for retirement during every stage of life.
