A Financial Guide to Retirement Readiness

The common thread among the quotes from 6th century BC philosopher LaoTzu and modern-day Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, reminds us that achieving what we set out to becomes possible when we first imagine and then approach it with small, manageable and attainable accomplishments. Loosely translated, the goals you have in mind are indeed quite possible.

The steps below provide a skeletal framework for aligning your investment and savings habits with your financial goals for retirement. Whether or not you currently have a financial advisor, this list is for you.

1) Identify goals for the retirement you envision.

Think deeply about your ideal retirement. Do your goals include travel? Staying involved with your community? How much, if any, do you want to leave as an inheritance for your family?

Write these down to create a vision for your retirement. Remember, money alone may not bring you the maximum happiness, but a lifestyle that you have earned the right to enjoy through prudent planning and investment can.

To assist in this process, discuss your aspirations with a competent advisor—one that knows the pertinent questions to ask about how you intend to economically achieve and spend your days in retirement.

2) Determine and write out your expenses in retirement.

Go through each of your goals and determine the sum required to finance them. Identify current monthly expenditures; what are they in total? Will they increase or decrease? Will others appear or increase like additional expenses for travel or medical costs?

In doing so, you’ll come up with an approximate dollar amount to attain before retirement.

3) Confer with your advisor to create a plan.

As with any goal, creating a definitive plan with identified timeframes is essential, including specific milestones along the way to track your success and progress. An experienced professional can objectively discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your plan, improve it and further educate you about investment options. There is no single solution or investment that can be applied to everyone’s investment portfolio. In fact, a personalized approach that assesses your various needs, from tax ramifications, time constraints to fund your goal, comfort with investment risk and volatility, all help determine the right blend of investments that may be the most effective for you. Once you have spoken to your advisor and clearly identified the goals, make the investment.

4) Take responsibility

This is one of the most difficult things to do, but also the most important. Whether or not you have a financial advisor, you are the one who ultimately decides if you invest or procrastinate, or if your income outpaces spending. The actions you take today create your financial future.

5) Understand what your plan requires, and stay committed.

If you’re investing in real estate, be ready to put in the work. If you’re investing in the stock market, plan on your investment taking time to grow. Those who experience difficulty staying disciplined with their financial objectives may consider automatic investments as an option.

Discuss this with your financial advisor. Regularly funding the retirement plans available to you is often a first step toward securing an income in retirement.

And remember, when you build that golden nest egg, don’t raid it! The investments you make and nourish now shape the trajectory of your financial future, so do your best not to dip into them prematurely.

Author:

Jeff Runyan
Financial Advisor
Beverly Hills, CA

Disclaimer:

The information contained within this article is based on information available and believed to be accurate at the time it was prepared. It reflects the opinions and beliefs of the individual author and not necessarily those of Wedbush Securities.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named representative, broker – dealer, state – or SEC – registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

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