Q: I’m a gay male in my 30s. My parents are nearing retirement but aren’t sure they can afford to retire. I want to make sure that when I’m their age, I’m more certain about my finances and retirement. How do I get started?
A: It’s nice to hear someone in their 30s thinking about retirement! It’s always best to start planning as early as possible. So that I can be helpful to both you and your parents, I’ll discuss both of your situations and what each of you needs to know.
Planning for retirement is a lifelong process defined by distinct phases: the accumulation phase, represented by your working years, and the distribution phase, which you enter when you retire or begin tapping into your retirement savings. By implementing some basic planning steps during each of these phases, you can achieve your financial goals for retirement without undue stress. Here are some simple guidelines.
The accumulation phase
During your working years, it is important to “set the stage” for a financially secure retirement by determining your retirement-income needs. This task involves identifying your potential retirement expenses, as well as estimating the amount you might receive from each potential source of retirement income — e.g., Social Security, pensions, personal investments and employment earnings.
Doing this calculation will give you an idea of how much you may need to accumulate to finance a comfortable retirement. Don’t be surprised if the numbers add up to be a large sum — after all, this money may need to support you for 20 or 30 years. Fortunately, there are ways to leverage your dollars.
Starting to save early and contributing as much as possible to employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRAs may help you to potentially accumulate more money. Why? Because investing in these tax-advantaged accounts means your money will work harder for you. The longer the money sits untouched, the more it can potentially compound.
Another important step to take during the accumulation phase is to craft an appropriate asset allocation. Asset allocation refers to the way you divide your investment nest egg among stocks, bonds and cash. The combination of assets should reflect your financial goals, tolerance for investment risk and time horizon. Be aware that your asset allocation may need to be adjusted periodically in response to major market moves or life changes.
The distribution phase
Once you are nearing retirement, it will also be necessary to craft a solid strategy for the distribution of your assets. For example, did you know that one of the greatest risks retirees face is the possibility of outliving their money? That is why it is essential to determine an appropriate annual withdrawal rate. This amount will be based on your overall assets, the estimated length of your retirement, an assumed annual rate of inflation and how much your investments might earn each year.
Another consideration: After age 70-1/2, you will have to begin making an annual withdrawal from some tax-deferred retirement accounts, including traditional IRAs1 — a required minimum distribution (RMD). Preparing for this phase ahead of time may reduce your tax burden, especially if your annual RMD puts you in a higher tax bracket.
Likewise, this is the time to make sure your final wishes are documented and estate strategies are well underway to minimize the tax burden of your heirs.
Your planning checklist
Following is a list that can help you along the way. Find the category that best describes you. After answering the questions, bring the list to your financial advisor, who can help make sure your retirement plan is on target.
Saving for retirement — Have you performed a comprehensive retirement-needs calculation? — Are you contributing enough to potentially reach your financial goal within your desired timeframe by maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as your employer-sponsored retirement plan and an IRA? — Is your asset allocation aligned with your retirement goal, risk tolerance and time horizon? — Would you benefit from contributing to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA?2 — Do you review your retirement portfolio each year and rebalance your asset allocation if needed?
Nearing retirement — Do you know the payout options available to you (e.g., annuity or lump sum) with your employer-sponsored retirement account, and have you reviewed the pros and cons of each option? — Have you considered your health-insurance options (i.e., Medicare and various Medigap supplemental plans or employer-sponsored health insurance), out-of-pocket medical expenses and other related health-care costs? — Have you contacted Social Security to make sure your benefit statement and relevant personal information are accurate? — Should you purchase long-term-care insurance? — Is your asset allocation properly adjusted to reflect your need to begin drawing income from your portfolio soon? — Have you determined an appropriate withdrawal rate for your assets to help ensure your retirement money might last 20, 30 or more years? — Have you figured the amount of your annual required minimum distribution and developed a strategy to reduce your tax burden once you’re required to begin taking RMDs? — Have you appointed a health-care proxy and durable power of attorney to take charge of your health and financial affairs if you are unable to do so? — Have you reviewed your financial and legal documents to make sure beneficiaries are up to date? — Are you making effective use of estate-planning tools (such as trusts or a gifting strategy) that could reduce your taxable estate and pass along more assets to your heirs while also benefiting you now?
1. Withdrawals will be subject to taxation upon withdrawal at then-current rates. In addition, early withdrawals before age 59-1⁄2 may be subject to a penalty tax.
2. Restrictions, penalties and taxes may apply. Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 591⁄2 or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted.
Jeremy Gussick is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, the nation’s leading independent broker-dealer.* Jeremy specializes in financial planning for the LGBT community and is active with several local LGBT organizations, including the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the Greater Philadelphia Professional Network and the Independence Business Alliance. OutMoney appears monthly. If you have a question for Jeremy, email [email protected].
This article was prepared with the assistance of Standard & Poor’s Financial Communications and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. Consult your financial advisor or Jeremy Gussick if you have any questions. LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. *Based on total revenues, as reported in Financial Planning Magazine, June 1996-2010.