Let’s Talk… The Perfect Retirement!!

It doesn’t exist. If you pay a financial planner for a plan that looks perfect, you need to plan for imperfection and that’s ok. Here are some things that I’m seeing before and when people retire:

First, some people may miss a year of IRA contributions or may have to reduce the amount of money contributed to their 401k. This is primarily due to some financial strife. My advice is to not beat yourself up but move forward and start investing again when you can. 

Second, people are working longer not because they have to, but because it’s mentally fit for them to do so. I’ll have people tell me that retirement was miserable. They could only play so much golf / fish, etc. Many people need a purpose and a place to go each morning, so I’m seeing retirees go back into the workforce or volunteer. 

Third, be aware of bad habits that you may pick up with too much time on your hands. Gambling, day drinking, and eating at buffets can all be fun, but too much can hurt your health and your wallet.

Lastly, with the changing work environment “going back to work” doesn’t necessarily mean going to an office. You should think about how much you can make when retired based on your skill set and factor that into your financial plan.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.