How to enjoy retirement even if you haven't saved enough
Are you ready to retire, but haven't managed to save enough yet?
In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics says that although the average retirement age is 62, many seniors are retiring at age 65 or older, and a large percentage — roughly 80% — still will not have saved enough by then. Of them, about a third will depend entirely on Social Security benefits. If you're within five years of calling it quits but haven't saved enough to retire, here are a few steps that may bring retirement closer within reach.
1. Wait Until You're 65
Wait until you're age 65 or older before you start collecting Social Security benefits, as the longer you wait, the larger your benefit. Use Bankrate's Social Security benefit calculator to estimate your future payments.
2. Don't Wait to Downsize
Consider selling your home and investing the profits. Downsize to a lower-cost senior living community or condominium in an area where your property taxes will be affordable. You can also inquire about school parcel tax exemptions that allow seniors to apply for tax exemption from taxes imposed by local school districts.
3. Move to a No Tax State
Move to a state with no income tax on pension, Social Security, or dividend income. Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming are among the states that do not tax that income.
4. Accept Government-Sponsored Medical Insurance
Medicare provides adequate health insurance coverage for doctor's visits, emergency care, assisted living, etc., but does not cover prescription drugs, dental, or vision care. For this, you will need add-on coverage like those offered by Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Insurance (Medigap). Consult with your insurance provider prior to retirement to ensure you can afford proper health insurance coverage. If you can't, inquire about government subsidies or senior plans offered by the likes of AARP.
5. Max-Out Retirement Accounts
By now you should be fully funding all of your retirement accounts and making any catch-up contributions. The 2015 catch-up contributions for IRAs total an additional $1,000 ($6,500) and $6,000 ($24,000) for your 401(k). As they are the most tax advantageous, make sure you are fully funding these accounts over the next few years preceding your retirement.
6. Diversify Using Bonds and ETFs
As you are nearing retirement age, you will want to gradually rebalance your portfolio so that it has less of volatile investments like stocks, and more of safer investments such as bonds and exchange-traded funds, or ETFs.
7. Join AARP
The benefits of joining AARP are endless. For those unfamiliar, AARP is the popular senior citizens advocacy group. The annual membership fee is only $16 and is discounted even further when years are bought in bulk. Members receive invaluable discounts on dining, travel, roadside assistance, auto insurance, health benefits, and more. This is a program that's definitely well worth signing up for.
