While retirement might sound lifetimes away, it sneaks up faster than you think. Many people wonder when to start saving for retirement, how to start, how much money they’ll need and more. We’ll answer those common retirement questions in this blog, so keep reading to find out.
When to Start
The time is now! If you are earning paychecks, start saving for retirement as soon as you can. The sooner the better, and the main reason for this is because your money will have more time to grow. Compounding makes a huge difference, and those 5 or 10 years of extra saving can turn into tens of thousands of dollars more than you would’ve had before.
How to Start
Don’t be intimidated – you can start small and work your way up to saving more. Something is better than nothing, so even putting a couple of hundred dollars into your retirement savings is a good start. The next step is to be consistent. Keep adding to the pile periodically and don’t tap into that money unless necessary.
How Much to Save
One general rule-of-thumb is save 10-15% of your income starting in your 20s. The amount you save depends on what you plan on doing once you’re retired. If you plan on traveling the world or buying a new sports car, your retirement fund will look different. It’s smart to have an idea of your retirement plans so you can adjust how much you save accordingly.
When to Retire
The answer to this is different for every person, too, depending on your retirement plans and how much you’ve already saved. The average retirement age is 62, but many people retire earlier or later in life. Some people also enjoy working and staying busy, so working doesn’t really come with an age limit. Knowing what age to retire comes with lots of planning and financial analysis, so be sure to talk to an advisor to know if you’re on track.
What if You’re Falling Short?
If you’re saving like crazy but still won’t meet your retirement goals, it’s time to consider some alternatives. The most effective change to make is delaying your retirement by just a few years. Not only will this add to your fund, but it takes off a few years you would’ve had to pay for to make it through retirement.
As time goes on, retirement gets closer even when it seems far off. If you haven’t started saving already, it’s time to start!
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