Month: December 2017

More people are working during retirement. For an increasing number of retirees, working a part-time job post-retirement is becoming the norm. A Merrill-Lynch survey found over 70% of those planning to retire were planning to find a job afterward. For those already retired, almost half reported holding a part-time job while retired. For many, it’s simply a matter of keeping busy. Others may go back to work for social interaction, or to regain a sense of purpose. For almost a third of those surveyed, part-time work after retirement offers additional income. For most retirees, the best part-time jobs draw from their previous careers. Regardless of the motivation, today there are a number of part-time jobs available for retirees.

Accountant/Bookkeeper

Those with a financial background can earn working from home as an accountant or bookkeeper. Many small business owners utilize bookkeeping services. Become a tax preparation agent and offer more services. Bookkeepers and accountants can typically create their own schedules and often, their own wages.

A working knowledge of financial software and Microsoft Excel is helpful for those interested in this position. An interest in numbers and a keen eye for detail are beneficial traits. In some cases, formal education in finance may be required.

Customer Service

Companies are always looking for great customer service help. Depending on the position, customer service positions can be on-site or remote, working from home. Retirees telecommuting from home can typically expect to answer phone calls and emails, while retirees working on-premise may speak to customers directly.

Patience is a plus for those interested in customer service. Telecommuters may benefit from previous computer experience.

Driving

Today a number of options are available for driving part-time. Ride-sharing services are appearing in more cities, enabling seniors to control their schedules while supplementing retirement income. In many cities, school districts and community organizations are hiring part-time drivers for buses and deliveries. Many of these positions offer flexibility perfect for retirees.

Depending on the (pardon the pun) route you take to become a driver, a commercial drivers license (CDL) may be required.

Tutor

For those looking to share their lifetime of experience, becoming a tutor can be a great part-time job for retirees. Tutoring comes in many forms. In this position, retirees can help both kids and adults overcome academic challenges, and aid with test preparation. There may be other positions available in education. Contact the local school district and ask about part-time positions for former educators.

Experience and formal education is a plus for this position, yet depending on the employer the requisites will vary. Tutors can work for families, as part of a larger organization, and anywhere between.

Tour Guide

For those interested in an active position interacting with the public, becoming a tour guide can be incredibly rewarding. More than just museums (amazing places to work) tour guides are found in park, wineries and breweries, local walking tours and more. Earn income, experience history, and stay active as a tour guide.

Tour guides are found across a number of industries performing a diverse variety of functions. Starting locally is perhaps the best way to find the right tour guide position for you.

Many opportunities for part-time employment are available for retirees. For many, there may the option of returning to a previous position as a part-time employee. Retirement is the beginning of an exciting part of life. Get the most from yours.

A growing number of retirees are struggling to make ends meet. An estimate by the National Institute for Retirement Security places the average retirement savings at just over $30,000. With even the best investment strategies, it will still be challenging making that last years or decades. The numbers support this. According to the National Senior Citizens Law Center, over six million retirees live below the poverty line; that number continues to grow.

It’s still possible to save for retirement. At any stage in life, creating a financial plan to prepare for the future can help create savings and security for the future. The right savings strategy will vary depending on goals and ability, yet there are some tips that apply to nearly all. Start saving with a goal in mind. Here are 5 tips for saving enough to retire.

1. Determine Annual Expenses

Each year of retirement has set expenses. These will vary for the individual yet for most people these include healthcare, housing, meals and other daily necessities. Be sure to include ongoing utility payments, HOA memberships, and all regular debits regardless of obscurity. Sufficient retirement savings will cover these obligations plus any increases over time due to inflation. Speak to a financial planner for help determining the monthly cost of retirement and creating a budget to meet it.

2. Plan for Entertainment

Creating financial plans, many people often forget to include budgeting entertainment expenses. This can lead to a dull retirement or to spending money outside the prescribed budget. Either way, planning for entertainment expenses helps balance a financial plan for retirement. Regardless of how you want to spend your time, experts recommend adding 10% to the estimated cost. This creates a buffer, allowing you to get out and enjoy retirement.

3. Distribute Savings

The right savings vehicles for retirement depend on goals, ability, and much more. Planning for a successful retirement requires more than a savings account. Speak to a financial advisor about opportunities to boost retirement savings with stocks, bonds, and other investment options. With distributed savings and assets, personal income reserves are better protected from shifts in the market.

4. Postpone Social Security

Social Security payments increase at age 70. For those able to sustain on alternate sources of income before then, they stand to gain. Full Social Security benefits begin at age 66 yet a mere four years can add 32% more to the payout. A financial plan can help make this happen. Research shows 97% of Americans draw benefits before age 70. This means the overwhelming majority of people are missing out on retirement benefits. Start planning today to take advantage of increased Social Security payments each month.

5. Think About Taxes

Each year, the amount of income drawn from retirement savings is subject to taxation. Depending on the amount of income accessed the applicable tax bracket may shift. This can lead to higher tax payments than originally planned for. Speak to a financial professional about the smartest ways to draw retirement income while managing taxes.

Call today more on how to prepare for successful retirement. Regardless of age, it’s still possible to start planning for an enjoyable retirement. Take the first step, contact a financial planner today.

Retirement is supposed to be a life of leisure, or at least so the commercials say. While retirement signals the transition from the workforce there are still challenges to overcome each day. Despite years of planning and research, there are some things about retirement that may surprise you. Straight from the source, here are 5 surprises about retirement:

1. You can have too much spare time.

It’s safe to assume most people prefer time off. While some may be able to golf each day, most will find too much downtime to be redundant. After years in the workforce, retirement can feel lacking in structure and routine. Before long, they may experience a longing for simple water-cooler conversation again. For those with too much time on their hands, part-time employment or a volunteer position may be the answer. Retirement is simply the transition into a new phase of life; find ways to stay active and engaged.

2. You can spend too much time together.

After retirement, there is a lot of extra time for spending with your spouse. Too much of anything can be grating, including the people we love. If spending too much time together is leading to tension be proactive and ask for some space. Previously, personal meditative time may have been the morning commute or lunch break. Being home all the time is a big change. Find ways to decompress. This can be a walk or hobby, or as with the first surprise a job or volunteer position.

3. You may need to move.

Retirement is a big lifestyle change. This means the home that made sense for the hustle and bustle of before may become too much. For some, this could be keeping a large lawn. For others, the home may feel too large. Moving to a smaller home, apartment, or retirement community can ease the burden of home and lawn care, and replace lost social interactions.

4. You may face financial challenges.

With all their careful planning it’s surprising many retirees grapple with financial challenges. Retirement may last years, and that’s a good thing! Saving enough to last can be challenging and many find themselves pinching pennies, afraid to run out. A budget, alternative savings vehicles, and active frugality can help stretch dollars. Keep medical and life insurance current for a layer of protection.

5. You may pay increased rates for healthcare.

Planning for retirement should take into account rising healthcare costs, inflation, and more. Many retirees find as time goes on they pay in increased percentage of savings on healthcare expenses. According to a survey of retired couples by RetiredBrains.com, retirees need to think bigger. Half those surveyed anticipated only 10% of actual health care costs. Healthcare through retirement can range into the hundreds of thousands; plan for adequate protection.

A large number of people between 30-50 are ready to think about retirement. For many, retirement is a goal market yet rather than completion, retirement marks the beginning of a new adventure. Planning is an important part of successful retirement yet questions abound. Help is here. The financial folks at MoneyTips.com completed a survey of 500 American retirees to find the secrets to a successful retirement. The survey found while the definition of retirement varies across the board, successful retirees shared several traits in common.

An increasing number rely on a set income.

Of the 500 retirees surveyed, almost half have under $500,000 in total assets. 67% of the respondents have a set annual income under $100,000; 27% under $50,000. Of all the retirees polled a whopping 85% rely on social security for some or all of their retirement income.

Many worry about the future.

Almost half the retirees surveyed reported having similar financial concerns about the future. The most-commonly reported financial concerns were:

• Depleting savings accounts (25%)
• Incurring serious medical debt (24%)
• Maintaining a comfortable lifestyle (23%)

Other responses included paying for grandchildren’s education (7%) and planning an estate (5%).

They’ve found ways to pinch pennies.

Finding ways to save each day helps extend savings. Successful retirees shared these tips on saving money during retirement

• Create a spending budget
• Reduce monthly expenses
• Limit luxury purchases

Successful retirees also create financial plans including investment and insurance options.

They planned ahead.

Successful retirees are there by design. Among those surveyed, the majority responded as having planned for retirement early. For those reading this that have yet to begin, there is still time. Of all the successful retirees surveyed, over half waited until after 40 to start saving. The amount people can save for retirement will vary. Consider setting a percentage of income as a savings amount. Of those surveyed the majority saved between 6-10% of their income per year. Those in the highest category, saving 21% or more each year, only formed 8% of survey respondents.

For answers on what to do with those savings, 62% reported utilizing the help of a financial professional at some point. That included those with little financial experience to those merely seeking a second opinion for a decision. 44% of successful retirees report retaining primary control of their investment portfolio. 67% opted for traditional IRA accounts and 27% chose Roth IRAs. a 401(k) plan formed a portion of income for 53%. A number of other investment vehicles formed the remainder.