By Michael W. K. Yee, Financial Advisor and Certified Financial Planner
Saving for — and even thinking about retirement can be overwhelming. While it’s natural to worry about your financial future, be careful not to let preconceived notions prevent you from actively saving for tomorrow. If you find yourself having one of the following doubts, consider reframing your thinking. A perspective shift may be what you need to get on the right track.
◆ “Retirement is a long way off.” It’s easy to get wrapped up in your current financial obligations, telling yourself that you’ll prioritize your retirement next year. However, like many worthy aspirations, a sound retirement plan takes time and discipline to achieve. If your golden years seem far away, remind yourself of the power of saving early. Time allows you to tackle your retirement goals in smaller increments with the potential for compounded growth. Retirement will likely come faster than you think and your future self will thank you for planning ahead.
◆ “I’ll prioritize retirement after paying for my child’s education.” With the rising costs of college, it’s understandable and even necessary for you to help your child obtain a quality education. However, your nest egg should be the top priority. Once you reach retirement, you have limited options if your savings come up short. Alternatively, your child can secure financial aid to pay for college, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs and loans. You simply don’t have options like these to help fund your retirement. While retirement deserves the most attention, you can devise a strategy to simultaneously save for both important goals.
◆ “My retirement dreams are too expensive.” If your dreams of traveling through Europe or starting a new hobby seem expensive, give yourself a reality check. Start by comparing your dreams to your current nest egg. Calculate the amount you need to maintain your lifestyle, cover potential unexpected expenses (such as healthcare) and achieve your retirement bucket list. If your savings come up short, create a plan to fill the gap. Lofty dreams will force yourself to ask the tough question: “Do I want to adjust my current lifestyle to achieve this retirement dream?”
◆ “I won’t be able to retire when I want.” It’s true that more Americans are working longer and delaying retirement. Some simply prefer to remain active contributors in the workforce, but many others are forced to postpone retirement until they accumulate sufficient resources to retire comfortably. If you dream of retiring early, carefully assess whether your nest egg is sustainable over several decades. You’ll want to make sure the money you withdraw early in retirement doesn’t put you at risk of outliving your assets.
◆ “I can’t afford to save.” If this phrase comes to mind, give your self-talk a flip. Instead, think “I can’t afford not to save.” Setting aside even a small amount of money each month can make a big difference, as your assets can grow with the benefit of compounding. Consider increasing your monthly contribution to bulk up your nest egg.
◆ “My family will help me.” Perhaps you’re expecting a generous inheritance or hoping that your adult kids will provide a financial cushion if you experience an unexpected expense. Regardless of who you believe may come to your aid, it’s best to take your financial security into your own hands. Life is full of uncertainties that could impact bank accounts for both you and your family members. Knowing your future is under financial control may give your family peace of mind.
It’s not too late to correct misconceptions about the importance of saving for retirement. Consider working with a financial advisor to create a plan for your future. Together you can determine your savings targets and explore a wide range of strategies to meet your financial goals. It’s time to talk yourself back in to retirement.
MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP
1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu HI 96814
808-952-1222, ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com
Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, is a Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Planner ™ practitioner with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years.
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
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