When you’ve just started your career, you’ve probably thought that you can afford to delay your retirement planning for another day, as it still seems like a long way to go from your 20s, 30s, or even 40s. However, as the years go by, this reasoning can cost you precious time and resources that would’ve helped you further ensure you’re able to address your retirement concerns.
Neglecting to plan for your retirement early in your career is typical. However, you must realize that planning your retirement as early as possible helps you stay on track to achieve your goals, despite the challenges that life may throw at you. A reliable retirement plan gives you the necessary insight to make better-informed decisions that shape your tomorrow.
3 Reasons Why You Should Plan for Retirement
Planning how to spend and afford the years after your career can be daunting and frustrating, especially when you’ve just started. But doing so enables you to make more room for a financial safety net that guides you through current decisions to secure your comfort and relaxation for your post-retirement life.
Here are a few more reasons why you should start planning for your retirement early:
A. It provides more time to grow your finances.
Before thinking about finally purchasing your dream car or beach house, you’ll want to ensure that your finances can afford to supply your everyday needs even when you don’t have a monthly paycheck anymore. Avoid the risk of outliving the money in your bank account.
Although you may not have or earn much money today, you still have ample time to save and invest in assets to grow your finances. The money you set aside for retirement can grow through compound interest. It can lessen the impact of unforeseen events such as inflation, job loss, or emergency bills on your financial security.
Saving for retirement doesn’t necessarily entail setting aside thousands of dollars every month. Develop a budget plan wherein you can afford to buy your current needs and wants yet still have enough room to invest in your future.
B. It helps manage your stress levels
In your retirement years, you won’t have the guarantee of a monthly paycheck or a steady income stream anymore, which can be stressful. However, when you start early, and your money has had its time to grow through interest and habitual saving, you’ll have fewer financial worries that’ll keep you tossing and turning every night.
Being confident in your financial security in retirement helps you avoid, or at least mitigate, taking out debt and the headaches that come with it. While payment options such as car loans or mortgages can make the most sense for big purchases in the future, securing your finances enables you to keep track of monthly payments and avoid additional costs.
You’ll have more time and budget to spend on things you truly enjoy or explore hobbies and experiences you’ve always wanted to start.
C. It allows you to explore your options.
Setting aside your hard-earned savings in an individual bank account allows you to withdraw and deposit as much as you want anytime. However, its low-interest rates do nothing more than keep your money safe. If you start planning your retirement early, you’ll have more access to financing options that can generate profit as it keeps your money safe.
Thanks to innovations from leaders in the financing industry, you no longer have to settle on how much you’ve set aside each month. Starting to plan your retirement early gives you a head start in exploring financial channels to boost your funding efforts, address your rate of return for your later years, and still afford the expenses you need and want for today.
You can start retirement planning in different ways. A common approach is to open and take advantage of retirement savings accounts.
Retirement Savings Accounts to Help You Start Saving
Although knowing how much you should save for retirement is a personal decision that depends on many factors, a great option to ensure you have enough is to deposit your savings in various financial channels. Here are some retirement savings account options that can boost your funds:
A. Employer-sponsored
In most countries, employers can sponsor retirement savings accounts for the benefit of their employees. Some of the funds are matched by employers. For instance, in the USA, most employees are automatically enrolled in a 401(k) account, and their employer handles their contributions as payroll deductions.
Employers collect employees’ contributions before income tax calculation. This tax can then be filed as a tax deduction for that tax year, which helps lower your monthly income. No taxes are also imposed on the investment earnings from contributions, but there are taxes when the employee withdraws the money during retirement.
B. Personal retirement accounts
In many countries, it is common for employees to make more savings through a separate retirement account. Your contributions to such accounts are often tax-deductible. However, how much you can deduct will depend on several factors, including marital status, contribution to employer-sponsored etc.
A Safety Net for Your Retirement Planning
Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all retirement plan. Consider your current wants, needs, and lifestyle in creating a roadmap toward comfort and success for your later years. Consult a professional financial advisor if you want to gain more time to build more reliable retirement plans. An advisor can help you manage your current finances and address your retirement concerns.
About the Author
Marc Daner is a Registered Financial Advisor with three decades of experience. He is a staunch and knowledgeable advocate for financial success. He can help plan for a secure retirement; manage assets, liabilities, and cash flow; and avoid or defer income, capital gains, and estate taxes.
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