How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement - Part-Time Money (2024)

Retirement

ByAshley Chorpenning

When I pictured retirement, I envisioned myself on a beach somewhere.

After acquiring my first finance job, I had a harshwake-up call. Looking at retirement accounts all day made me realize, I needed to start planning now if I was going to end up on a beach.

Retirement wascloser thanI thought.

Unfortunately, too many of us fail to plan. 1 out of 3 Americans have nothing saved for retirement and will solely rely on social security.

Those of us who are consistent and plan ahead will be able to have peace of mind when retirement comes around.

However, no matter how much planning and saving you have accomplished by the time retirement comes, you still need to be careful with your funds.

Here are a few ways to avoid going broke during retirement:

Cut Expenses

Once you retire, you will have more time to do the things you love. However, if you haven’t planned in advance for these extra expenses, you might need to cut back in other places. The less your expenses are, the less you will have to worry about taking too much from your retirement.

Making adjustments to your lifestyle will help your dollar go further.

There are many ways to cut expenses.

Monitor Your Spending

Living on a fixed income may take some adjusting, so creating a budget is key. Your lifestyle is about to change, therefore, your budget will need to change along with it.

Make sure to include health expenses and a savings plan. Even though you’re retired, it is important to continue to save for your future. You never know when you will need your rainy-day fund.

Related: The Best Retirement Calculators [How Much Will You Need to Retire]

Plan for Taxes

One thing that many may forget is that your taxes will change when you retire. It is important to understand these changes prior to retirement. Meet with a CPA to make a plan for retirement. Depending on your streams of income, it will be important to plan ahead and know your tax implications.

Just because you retire doesn’t mean you are free from Uncle Sam.

Hiring a tax professional is not only a great idea for retirement but also with your current position. You may be missing out on opportunities to save money and lower your taxes.

Create Multiple Streams of Income

One thing we know for sure is that relying on social security alone may leave you broke in retirement. Creating multiple streams of income will help you avoid financial stress. Do you have a 401k plan or are you investing in the stock market? Have you considered investing in real estate or starting your own business?

There are many options to create another form of cash flow. Relying on one stream of income will only leave you frustrated and strained for money. Plan ahead and choose the right investment for your lifestyle.

Continue to Invest

Just because you have retired doesn’t mean you need to stop investing. You will need your nest egg to last at least 20-30 years after your stop working. The money you invest will need to continue to grow.

Change your asset allocation and try not to be fearful of the market. Find a financial advisor with a similar investing philosophy to yours. This will help you remain accountable and level headed through market fluctuations.

Warning: Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. You don’t want to gamble during your retirement. You are not a day trader; you are retired. Make an investment plan and stick to it.

Create a Flexible Withdrawal Rate

Life happens. The market fluctuates, and your lifestyle changes. It is important also that you reevaluate your withdrawal rate periodically. You want to make sure that the rate is appropriate for what is going on in your life and the market.

It is good to have a percentage in mind you would like to stick to but there will be times this may need tochange. The rule of the thumb is4% annually. This isa safe amount to take from your retirement accounts.

Be flexible and prepare ahead of time.

Take Care of Your Health

This might seem obvious but medical bills can be extremely expensive. Accidents happen but there are a lot of ways we can take care of our health in the present. Taking care of your health can help you save money in the future.

Making little changes to your lifestyle and diet can drastically impact your retirement. Take a walk daily or maybe try a new healthy budget friendly meal. Every little bit helps.

Prolong Social Security Distributions

Many people are eligible for social security distributions at 62. The assumption is that they will receive more money over time if they take their distribution as soon as possible. This is not the case. If you were to wait until age 70, you would receive about 32% more. Over the course of your retirement you will receive more money overall.

By creating multiple streams of income, you will not have to rely solely on social security. Wait as long as possible to take your distributions. It will benefit you in the long run. Planned security is total security.

How will you avoid going broke in retirement? What are you doing to create multiple streams of income?

How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement - Part-Time Money (2024)

FAQs

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

The $1,000-a-month retirement rule says that you should save $240,000 for every $1,000 of monthly income you'll need in retirement. So, if you anticipate a $4,000 monthly budget when you retire, you should save $960,000 ($240,000 * 4).

Can you save for retirement with a part time job? ›

There are ways to save for retirement even if you work part time, but doing so is not easy, Ms. Giles said. “You have to be a diligent saver, and preferably set up automatic contributions so you never see that money before it gets invested for your future,” she said.

Can you live off $3000 a month in retirement? ›

That means that even if you're not one of those lucky few who have $1 million or more socked away, you can still retire well, so long as you keep your monthly budget under $3,000 a month.

What do the happiest retirees do? ›

The happiest retirees accumulate ample retirement savings so they can focus on enjoying their lives. Put another way, a house not built on a stable foundation will crumble.

Can I retire at 65 with no savings? ›

Retiring with little to no money saved is not impossible, but it can present some challenges to your financial plan. Depending on where you're starting from, you may need to delay Social Security benefits, work longer, or drastically reduce expenses to retire with no money saved.

How many people retire with no savings? ›

Nearly 2 in 5 Retirees Have No Retirement Savings.

Can I draw social security at 62 and still work full-time? ›

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

How to retire at 62 and work part-time? ›

Phased retirement: This arrangement allows you to work part time, as early as age 62, while collecting some or all your pension benefit. Depending on the plan, your employer may continue to provide medical benefits for you as well.

What percentage of retirees work part-time? ›

A study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 57 percent of workers across all generations plan to work in retirement either full-time (21 percent) or part-time (36 percent.

What is the 3 rule in retirement? ›

Follow the 3% Rule for an Average Retirement

If you are fairly confident you won't run out of money, begin by withdrawing 3% of your portfolio annually. Adjust based on inflation but keep an eye on the market, as well.

What do retirees do when they run out of money? ›

If you are already running out of money in retirement, consider part-time work, reverse mortgages, or financial assistance from family members or government programs.

Can I live on $2000 a month in retirement? ›

Retiring on a fixed income can seem daunting, but with some planning and commitment to a frugal lifestyle, it's possible to retire comfortably on $2,000 a month.

How long will $500 I last in retirement? ›

Yes, it is possible to retire comfortably on $500k. This amount allows for an annual withdrawal of $20,000 from the age of 60 to 85, covering 25 years. If $20,000 a year, or $1,667 a month, meets your lifestyle needs, then $500k is enough for your retirement.

Is $1500 a month enough to retire on? ›

While $1,500 might not be enough for non-housing retirement expenses for many people, it doesn't mean it's impossible to stick to this or other amounts, such as if you're already retired and don't have the ability to increase your budget.

How much money can you make after you retire without being penalized? ›

There is no cap on how much you can earn while on Social Security — if you've reached full retirement age.

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