Bob Barnard
4 min readOct 28, 2022

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Simply investing: Why you should plan for retirement?

Retirement can be fun or a disaster.

I didn’t start saving for my retirement; when I finally started, I didn’t save enough to set myself up for a worry-free retirement. So, at 77, I don’t know whether I will outlive my money. Inflation isn’t helping any, either. To live comfortably in retirement, you must plan and save over your lifetime.

Why you should start planning for retirement

Planning for retirement as soon as you can is a good idea. The sooner you save, the more time your money must compound and grow. Your plan will help you have enough cash when you retire. Retirement planning can also help you manage risk and avoid common pitfalls that could jeopardize your financial security in retirement. The most prominent is the incorrect use of credit. Planning for retirement can help achieve specific goals, such as having a comfortable nest egg or being able to travel and enjoy life after retiring. By taking the time to plan for your retirement, you can feel confident that you’re taking care of yourself and your loved ones in the future.

How much do you need to save for retirement?

Looking back on my first 20 years of retirement, I think you need to plan to have enough to continue spending as you were before you retired. For example, suppose you were spending $50,000 per year before you quit. In that case, you need to multiply $50,000 by 25 to 30 to get the total amount you need to have in your retirement fund minus what you will receive from social security and any pension payouts you will receive. This means that you need to have saved between $1,250,000 and $1,500,000.

For many people, this seems an impossibly large number. But it is achievable if you start early and invest wisely. However, starting planning for retirement as soon as possible is essential to ensure you have enough money saved up when you retire. A good rule of thumb is to save 10–15% of your income each year into a retirement account. This will allow you to build up a significant sum over time.

Another factor to consider when saving for retirement is inflation. Over time, prices tend to increase faster than wages, meaning that your savings will lose value even if you keep them in cash or certificates of deposit (CDs). To prevent this from happening, it’s important to periodically update your estimate of how much money you’ll need for retirement based on current market conditions and inflation rates.

Even if you’re able to save quite a bit towards your goal, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the possibility that things may not go according to plan. Many retirees find that they need to adjust their original plans due to poor investment choices, bad timing for retirement, or changes in life circumstances such as an illness or job loss. By being flexible with your retirement planning and regularly reviewing your plan, you can ensure that your dreams of enjoying your retirement years are still within reach!

The Benefits of Retirement Planning

Retirement planning can help you have enough money to support yourself during retirement. By creating a budget and investing for the long term, you can make a strategy for ensuring that you will have the funds required to live comfortably in retirement.

Planning your retirement can help you achieve your retirement goals, such as traveling or purchasing a home. In addition, by setting aside money now, you can save on costs associated with these activities later in life.

Retirement planning can help reduce stress by providing financial security in retirement. Having a plan will help you cope regardless of what happens to your current income source; it will help you prepare and be able to handle any unexpected expenses.

Retirement planning can help keep you healthy and active by providing financial resources for activities and hobbies. This way, you can continue living an enjoyable lifestyle even after leaving work behind!

Planning your retirement provides peace of mind knowing that you have taken steps to secure your financial future. In addition, by taking the time to prepare for your future, you reduce the chances of running into unforeseen challenges down the road.

When Is the Best Time to Start Saving for Retirement?

When preparing for retirement, there is no single “magic” number or a perfect moment. Instead, starting early and regular saving is the key to success. Even a small amount of money each month can add up over time, so don’t be afraid to get started — even if you’re feeling strapped for cash right now. Remember: enjoying your life now is important, but saving for your future will also make a huge difference in how comfortable you’ll be when it’s time to retire. So, start putting together your retirement plan today!

So put money in your retirement today and often!

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Bob Barnard

Freelance writer: fintech, comp tech, Self Development