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davidlerner.com > Retirement Planning  > Retirement Planning Mistakes

Retirement Planning Mistakes

How prepared are you for retirement? About 4 million people retire every year. Between 2014 and 2034, about 80 million people are expected to retire, and this wave of retirements is seen as a significant challenge for the Social Security and Medicare systems in the United States. When the day finally comes that you clock out of work for the last time, will you be ready?

Do you know all the details of your pension plan? Long before you close the book on your working days, make sure you are making the right financial choices, or there could be disastrous outcomes.

1. Continued Work

One in four U.S. workers expects to work beyond age 70 to make ends meet, according to a recent survey. But, whether you work past age 65 is not always up to you. About half of retirees leave the workforce earlier than planned, because of employment-related issues (changes in the company, or being laid off, or lacking the skills to keep up), or health-related issues (either their own ill health or that of a loved one).

2. Not Saving Enough

The single biggest financial regret of Americans is waiting too long to start saving for retirement. By putting off saving for retirement, the clock is ticking against you with every day that passes.

3. Social Security

You’re entitled to start taking retirement benefits at 62, but you probably shouldn’t. Most financial planners would recommend waiting at least until your full retirement age. Waiting until 70 can be even better.

Let’s say your full retirement age, the point at which you would receive 100% of your benefit amount, is 66. If you claim at 62, your monthly check will be reduced by 25% for the rest of your life. But hold off until age 70 and you’ll get a 32% boost in benefits – 8% a year for four years – thanks to delayed retirement credits. (Claiming strategies can differ for couples, widows, and divorced spouses).

The best advice is to start saving early, and consult with a financial planner so you can put together a smart, well-structured strategy.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.

Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable– we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

David Lerner Associates does not provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances. Member FINRA & SIPC

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