In today's comprehensive guide, we'll take a deep dive into the various factors that can impact your retirement savings needs. We will explore everything from estimating your future expenses to determining your ideal retirement age.
Today's aim is to help you develop a personalized retirement plan that takes your unique circumstances into account.
With our guidance, you'll be able to approach retirement with confidence, knowing that you've taken the necessary steps to ensure your financial security during your golden years.
The best way to find out what sort of annual income you need for retirement is to estimate what your spending habits will be and what kind of lifestyle you intend to have.
The majority of retirees have fewer expenses compared to their younger days. But, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your current lifestyle just because you stop working.
If you wish to carry on with a life you're used to, with some room for expenses and splurges, it's a good idea to save an equal amount to your current income.
For instance, if you earn a salary of $50,000 a year, and would like to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement after the age of 67, and have a life expectancy of around 85, you'd need the following savings (these are estimates):
• A savings balance of $10,000 currently.
• An annual income, after taxes, for each year after retirement of $50,000.
• With the average social security benefit being around $1,781.00, your goal for your annual social security benefit should be approximately $21,379.00.
With current savings of $10,000, your annual retirement income, and social security benefit, it is estimated that you would have to save around $28,000 every year.
Of course, this is a very large percentage of your total income, but it can be achieved with the correct strategies in place.
These can include strategic investment making and allowing compound interest to work best for you over the years.
These numbers are just estimates and can differ depending on many factors, including when you retire, your social security benefits, pension plans, whether you continue with part-time employment, certain health conditions, and your personal lifestyle.
So, for an income of $80,000, your retirement nest egg would need to be approximately $2 million ($80,000 divided by 0.04).
This 4% strategy assumes that there is a 5% return on investments, after inflation and taxes), and there is no additional income during retirement.
The 4% rule tends to assume that you will have 30 years off retirement. For those who live longer, their retirement portfolios will need to last longer.
As well as this, it is important to consider that, although some expenses decrease in retirement, others, such as medical costs, tend to increase.
By understanding these formulas and setting realistic goals, you can gain confidence in your ability to plan for your financial future.
It can be helpful to think about saving a percentage of your salary to figure out how much you need at various stages of your life.
It is recommended that you save 15% of your gross salary from your early 20s and continue doing this throughout your working life.
This should also take into account savings from other retirement accounts, as well as contributions from your employer. This is assuming you have access to a 401(k) or some other type of plan sponsored by your employer.
The following figures are benchmarks set out by Fidelity Investments. These are based on a multiple of your annual income and show estimates of how much you should save for retirement by certain ages.
• Age - 30. Annual salary - 1x your annual salary
• Age - 40. Annual salary - 3x your annual salary
• Age - 50. Annual salary - 6x your annual salary
• Age - 60. Annual salary - 8x your annual salary
• Age - 67. Annual salary - 10x your annual salary
Another formula follows the guidelines of having 25% of your gross annual salary saved every year. Again, this should begin in your twenties.
For many, 25% seems like a lot, but this also includes your 401 (k) holdings with any contributions matched by your employer, and other retirement savings you may have.
Follow this formula, and you may be able to save your full annual salary by the young age of 30. Continue with the same average savings and you will get the following:
• Age 35 - 2x annual salary
• Age 40 - 3x annual salary
• Age 45 - 4x annual salary
• Age 50 - 5x annual salary
• Age 55 - 6x annual salary
• Age 60 - 7x annual salary
• Age 65 - 8x annual salary
Following the 15% or 25% savings rule is up to you and your circumstances. But, it is important to bear in mind that your ability to save can be affected by certain life events.
These can be anything from job losses and illnesses, to pandemics. Always expect the unexpected when saving.
