As a millennial, retirement may be one of those things that’s just last on our minds. But it really shouldn’t be because well, let’s face it- we aren’t getting any younger.
So when should a millennial start planning for retirement? Even if we’re at the mid-stage of our careers, it’s really never too early. And if you haven’t started planning yet, don’t panic. There’s still time.
I just want to make sure that you don’t overlook anything.
To start, let’s talk about 6 essential tasks for financial stability during retirement to make sure that you’ll be able to enjoy your time.
The retirement years are meant to be golden. By retirement age, you’ve likely worked for 40+ years, and you can finally relax, enjoy family, and visit friends. Unfortunately, staying financially stable, though, is often a challenge.
Working through these tasks will help you maintain financial stability when you retire:
1. Understand the key to stability. The key to achieving financial stability is to make your money last.
* Life expectancy continues to rise. Can you afford to stay in retirement if you live to your 80s, 90s, or beyond? This is an important question that requires careful thought and planning.
* You may want to consult a financial advisor for a variety of tactics you can use to make your money last.
2. Make a list of your retirement goals. What do you plan to achieve once you’re done working? These may include dreams and wishes you hold in your heart and want to see happen.
* What are some of the most important aspects of retirement you don’t want to miss? Is it visiting grandchildren or traveling around the world? Do you want to retire on a beach or spend your days in a city? Your list can include items such as paying for your grandchild’s college education or purchasing a yacht.
* A list of your retirement goals can help you figure out how to stay financially stable. Each goal has a financial value. Consider how you can safely work each goal into your financial plan based on the money you’ve saved up and the funds you still have coming in. Include these goals in your retirement budget.
3. Make a list of retirement essentials. Retirement essentials are basic housing, food, medications, and other necessary costs. All of these are tied to your financial stability.
* How much will your home cost during retirement? Will your home be paid off by retirement? If you own your home, remember to include the continuing costs of property taxes and maintenance.
* Will you be preparing your meals at home? How often do you intend to eat out?
* Medications, doctor visits, and other health care costs are also a concern.
* What about utilities?
4. Combine the lists and start calculating. Include all your costs from your lists of essentials and goals to come up with a budget. It’s important to estimate correctly and consider emergency situations.
5. Consider the growth of your investments in the future. How much money do you expect to have once you retire? How much can you expect these funds to grow during retirement? What income streams will contribute to your daily life once you’re no longer at work?
6. Think about Medicare and Social Security. Do you want to depend on these sources? Will you be able to survive on these benefits? How much will they contribute to your lifestyle?
* Planning your retirement age is a crucial step. Your Social Security benefits go up the longer you can avoid starting them.
Retirement can be one of the best phases of your life. If you stay financially stable, then you can avoid making difficult money decisions and enjoy the retirement you dreamed about.
So you do think you’re ready? I’d be willing to bet that even with all of this planning, you’re still forgetting about something.
One of the most important things that you can do is apply for a supplemental insurance policy through a trusted company like Aflac.
What is supplemental insurance and is it really necessary if you already have major medical insurance? In short: yes.
● Aflac is not major medical insurance. Aflac offers supplemental insurance, which is designed to complement your major medical insurance to help fill the holes in your health care coverage.
● Aflac knows that major medical insurance might not cover every expense related to a serious health event. Aflac is there to help cover expenses that major medical may not cover.
● Some people aren’t prepared to pay for their deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with an unexpected serious accident or illness. Instead of paying for those expenses out of your own pocket, you can use supplemental insurance to help fill in the holes.
● Supplemental insurance from Aflac pays cash when you’re sick or hurt so you can focus on recovery, not financial stress.
● Accident, disability, critical illness, cancer, hospital and life insurance are examples of supplemental insurance policies that can complement your major medical insurance based on your individual needs.
● Major medical policies pay doctors and hospitals, but Aflac pays cash directly to the insured (unless otherwise assigned), who can decide how to best use the benefits. Their goal is to help Aflac policyholders maintain their current lifestyle as they recover.
● Regardless of whether you’re single, married or have dependents, life is meant to be enjoyed and supplemental insurance is a low-risk investment that makes financial sense for people looking to do just that.
○ The truth is, even when suffering from a health event, bills must be paid. Yet, the 2016 Aflac WorkForces Report found that 65 percent of employees have less than $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket expenses associated with an unexpected serious illness or accident if it occurred today. 1
○ You shouldn’t have to dip into vacation funds, holiday budgets or savings to maintain your lifestyle, and with supplemental insurance like Aflac’s, you have access to cash benefits that pay you directly (unless otherwise assigned) and quickly – helping to give you financial support and peace of mind.
● Aflac is committed to helping you live life to the fullest with its supplemental insurance protection.
But what policy type is best for you? For starters, I would at least consider a life insurance policy.
Life insurance can help provide your surviving loved ones with financial protection when it’s needed most. Benefits can be used to help cover immediate expenses such as funeral arrangements, everyday living expenses and long-term obligations. To see how it works, visit aflac.com/lifeinsurance.
Regardless of what age you are or how seasoned you are in your professional career, any employees who have children or who have made a significant purchase such as a home should consider supplemental life insurance.
As a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom with two teenagers and a toddler to think about; retirement is one of those things that I know I have to prepare for. My idea of retirement and my picture of retirement probably won’t match up to yours. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t push Kyle in the right direction, too.
If you’re wondering how to find out more about supplemental insurance through Aflac, visit aflac.com or:
● Ask your human resources manager which Aflac supplemental insurance policies are available to you.
● Check out Aflac’s Benefits Estimator to calculate the amount Aflac can provide to help with out-of-pocket costs that may not be covered by your major medical insurance: aflac.com/benefitsestimator.
Have you started planning for retirement yet? If not, what’s stopping you?
1 2016 Aflac WorkForces Report, conducted by Lightspeed GMI on behalf of Aflac online in the United States between Jan. 20 and Feb. 3, 2016, among 5,000 adults ages 18 and older who are employed full or part time at a company with three or more employees. To learn more, visit AflacWorkForcesReport.com.
Policies may not be available in all states. Limitations and exclusions may apply. Benefits are determined by state and plan level selected. Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999. Z161056W 10/16
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Kori
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