When it comes to retirement, women may face unique obstacles that can make saving for retirement more challenging. Given that women typically live longer than men, retirement money for women may need to stretch even further.1
When prior generations retired, living to 75 amounted to a nice long life, and Social Security was often supplemented by a pension. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that today’s average 67-year-old woman will live to age 88. Given these projections, it appears that a retirement of 20 years or longer might be in your future.2
Despite these challenges, a wise strategy can give women reasons to be hopeful.
Are You Prepared For a 20-Year Retirement?
How about a 30-year or even 40-year retirement? Don’t laugh; it could happen. The Society of Actuaries predicts that an average healthy woman that reaches age 65 has a 48% chance of living past 90, and a 26% chance of living to be older than 95.3
Get clear on your vision.
Do you want to spend your retired years traveling, or do you envision staying closer to home? Are you seeing yourself moving to a retirement community, or do you want to live as independently as you can? If you’re married, sit down with your spouse to discuss your visions for retirement.
You can’t see if you’re on track for your goals if you haven’t defined them. If you do find you’re falling short of where you want to be, a financial professional can help you strategize about how you can either get to where you want to go or adjust your strategy to fit your situation.
Get creative with your strategy.
If you expect to or have taken time off from the workforce, you may want to increase your contributions to your retirement accounts while you are working. If you’re staying home while your spouse works, you may be able to contribute to an individual retirement account.
In most circumstances, once you reach age 73 (or age 75 for those born in 1960 or later), you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account and other retirement plans in most circumstances. Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Traditional IRA contributions may be fully or partially deductible, depending on your adjusted gross income.
Look for sources of additional income.
If you’re caregiving for an elderly relative, there are ways to be paid for your time. The Veteran’s Administration or Medicaid may be a potential source of income. Working with a professional who has expertise in this field can help you navigate your options and potentially find a way to earn income for work that you’re doing.4
Keep the conversation open.
One of the best things you can do is to make sure you are having regular conversations about finances and hearing from well-informed sources. There are more resources than ever at your disposal, and working with a trusted financial professional can help ensure that you always know where things stand.
Conclusion
While women can face many challenges as they save for retirement, careful preparation and a creative approach can help you rise to the occasion and pursue the fulfillment of your goals. With a thoughtful approach, such as clearly defining retirement goals, increasing contributions during working years, and exploring additional income sources, women can better prepare for a retirement that aligns with their vision. At SHJ Wealth Advisors, we have worked with clients for over 30 years and seek to understand each client’s unique needs in the planning process. Please reach out to Info@shjwealthadvisors.com if you would like to find a time to meet with one of our CFP® Professionals and thanks for reading!
- org, June 9, 2023
- gov, 2023
- org, 2023. Life expectancy estimates assume average health, non-smoker, and a retirement age of 65.
- com, August 31, 2023
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. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named 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. Copyright FMG Suite.
