How much time have you spent dreaming of retirement? It’s a milestone we often start thinking about as soon as we join the workforce and many of us relish the idea of slowing down, changing pace, and finally having all the time we need to pursue passions and invest in relationships.
But what happens when you get to retirement and it’s not all you imagined it would be? Have you considered the idea that you could regret your decision to retire? Here are four common retirement regrets to keep in mind as you prepare for your golden years so you can plan ahead to avoid them.
Whether you were forced to retire earlier than planned or you made the decision on your own, ending your career years before you are ready can cause plenty of regret. In fact, 30% of retirees admitted they would gladly re-enter the workforce if a job became available. (1)
If you decided to retire prior to turning 65, you probably had to find pre-Medicare coverage, which is often quite a bit more expensive than an employer-sponsored plan. By waiting until you turn 65, you will qualify for Medicare and not be forced to obtain other health insurance to cover you during the transition.
Financially, the earlier you retire the fewer years you have to save and the longer you will have to live off of your money. If your finances are keeping you up at night or you are living at a lower quality of life than you are used to, you may regret retiring when you did.
Working even a few years longer can provide these valuable benefits:
Social Security benefits can be claimed anytime between ages 62 and 70. However, the timing of when you choose to collect these benefits will impact the amount of benefit you receive.
Full retirement age (FRA) changes based on the year you were born. For those born in 1937 and earlier, FRA is 65. After 1937, two months is added each year until FRA becomes 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954. Starting in 1955, two months a year is added again until the FRA becomes 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin collecting your Social Security benefits, you will receive your full Primary Insurance Amount, which is the full benefit that you have earned, but if you choose or are forced into an early retirement, you will receive a reduced benefit. Your basic benefit is reduced a fraction of a percent for each month you begin receiving benefits prior to full retirement age, up to 30%.
Even if you have a solid nest egg saved to carry you through retirement, you still need to exercise financial discipline to ensure your money lasts. Dipping too deep into your savings as soon as you retire could make or break your retirement dreams.
Instead, create a realistic retirement budget, factoring in travel or hobbies, then work with your advisor to find a withdrawal rate that will stretch your money for as long as possible.
Free time is a major perk of retirement, but when you go from working full-time to not working at all it can be a shock to your system. Saying goodbye to your career, your colleagues, and your routines can cause anxiety and depression. But if you plan ahead to fill your time with activities that will fulfill you, you can avoid the negative emotions that can come with this life transition.
Do you want to know what activities result in a fulfilling retirement? A BMO study on retirement planning reveals that retirees who stayed busy and active, pursued independence, and volunteered their time were satisfied with their life. (3) One study of retirees even found that those who volunteered 200 hours a year were less likely to develop high blood pressure. (4)
The takeaway here is to be intentional about your time in retirement. Make a list of things you want to do, places you want to go, and people you want to spend time with, then strategically map out the details so your goals become a reality. It’s easy to lose your identity when you say goodbye to your career, but filling your time and venturing out into new territory will help you build a new identity and give you something to look forward to.
You probably don’t want to celebrate the incredible milestone of retirement and then wake up the next day wondering if you made the right decision. Deciding when and how to retire is one of the most difficult decisions you will make in life, but you don’t have to make the hard choices alone. If you want to avoid facing these common regrets when you retire, reach out to us at (570) 524-0120 or email justin.buttrick@lpl.com for a free, no-obligation review.
Justin Buttrick is a financial advisor and the founder of Vision Wealth Advisors, an independent financial services firm. With more than 10 years of experience and the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ (AAMS®) credential, he uses his knowledge to help his clients make smarter financial decisions. Learn more about Justin by connecting with him on LinkedIn or emailing justin.buttrick@lpl.com.
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(1) https://www.cnbc.com/2014/08/21/retirees-go-back-to-work.html
(2) http://www.medicaldaily.com/planning-retiring-early-consider-these-5-health-risks-first-247669
(3) https://commercial.bmoharris.com/resource/wealth-management/whats-your-retirement-game-plan/
(4) http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pag/28/2/578/?_ga=1.177767717.1281536077.1488342343
You work hard, save diligently, and are focused on preparing for retirement—but you have a few questions. Schedule a call with Justin below to learn more about how Vision Wealth Advisors can help:
Helping you make smart financial decisions
justin.buttrick@visionwealthpa.com
570.524.0120
57 Reitz Blvd, Suite 200, Lewisburg, PA 17837