For many, retirement seems like a lifetime away and for some perhaps it is but if you don't think about it every now and then it will sneak up on you faster than you ever know. Some already have thoughts of hanging up a sign that says gone fishin while others treasure the thoughts of playing with the grandchildren and finally others get to do that thing that most have been meaning to do for years...travel. Whatever you decide, there is a common denominator that is due on day one and that's money, a lot of money. Think the need for $2,000,000 is too big a number to consider? Think again.
Imagine that you're thinking of retiring by 65 with no intentions of ever working again. According to experts, you're going to likely live another 25 years and if your household income was $100,000, you may need as much $80,000 x 25 or two million dollars to make it. Yikes! By the way, did I mention that this money is due the second your retirement party ends? When families retire, many seem to think their lifestyle won't mirror that of their working life as the mortgage and kids are no longer a factor although I know a lot of people who still have both. While many experts say that you should expect to live at least 25 years in retirement, I'm thinking it's likely more than that considering the numbers I'm seeing from Willard Scott. The famous Smucker's 100 year old citizens that appear on the Today Show seem to be smashing those numbers every year.
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What is The Investment Forum? Anthony "Von" Mickle answers in his own words.
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Whatever your scenario, you have to be thinking about how much you have currently and how much you need to make up the difference. Remember that unless you're 50, the most you are allowed to place in a defined benefit plan is just under $18,000 individually. Double that and you're still under $40,000. In order to make your additional 40k jump to 80k, it is imperative that your money is gaining some good returns on investment. If you didn't pay any attention to which fund or risk level you put your retirement money into its a good idea to find out. If you see that it is a conservative fund, making up the difference can be that much harder which is why you should double check and you'll likely need something more than conservative growth to make up what's needed. For those who still have yet to start a retirement fund, I seriously hope this gets your attention like a blind sided drop kick in the bread basket. It's better to be gut punched now whille you can do something about it. I left out Social Security helping you for a reason and that is I don't think you should count on it or at least not as much as the last generation.
Reality TV Stars are Likely Unrealistic
If you're feeling ill about the difference between your savings and where you should be, think about all those celebrities who are simply too busy making headlines to consider these discussions. I was recently in Beverly Hills visiting one of my favorite stores when I remembered a conversation about a lady who spends $40 grand every month on Rodeo Drive alone. I was also told that many of those reality TV stars are encouraged to look and live lavishly but the reality is the shows aren't paying for it. They're having to use the salaries they are given to shop and live it up. That means if they're getting $500k a year to act foolishly which is what most of them seem to be doing, they're spending every cent of it. Imagine if they were lucky enough to keep that career going until age 65 which they are not. Most will likely think they can retire by 50 which gives them at least 35 years in retirement. I don't know what your calculator says but mine shows $500k x 35 is nearly $18 million. How many reality folks do you think has that kind of money socked away? Athletes should also take heed.
The point of all of this is to think just a little harder about that day that's coming and to consider if you want it to be joyous or less than admirable. Also, don't fret about the concept of working longer. Just because you commute today and may not be the ultimate decision maker doesn't mean that in ten years you can't be an expert in your field that travels the globe accepting speaking, consultancy or author fees for all of your years in the grind and who says you have to do it 40 hours per week. No need to wait til you're 65 to see a little of this great world either.
September is a good month to see which fund your retirement dollars are going into and if you don't have an account to get one. We've got some accounts to swell up folks. Let's work!
All the best,
