How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement - Part-Time Money (2024)

Retirement

ByAshley Chorpenning

When I pictured retirement, I envisioned myself on a beach somewhere.

After acquiring my first finance job, I had a harshwake-up call. Looking at retirement accounts all day made me realize, I needed to start planning now if I was going to end up on a beach.

Retirement wascloser thanI thought.

Unfortunately, too many of us fail to plan. 1 out of 3 Americans have nothing saved for retirement and will solely rely on social security.

Those of us who are consistent and plan ahead will be able to have peace of mind when retirement comes around.

However, no matter how much planning and saving you have accomplished by the time retirement comes, you still need to be careful with your funds.

Here are a few ways to avoid going broke during retirement:

Cut Expenses

Once you retire, you will have more time to do the things you love. However, if you haven’t planned in advance for these extra expenses, you might need to cut back in other places. The less your expenses are, the less you will have to worry about taking too much from your retirement.

Making adjustments to your lifestyle will help your dollar go further.

There are many ways to cut expenses.

Monitor Your Spending

Living on a fixed income may take some adjusting, so creating a budget is key. Your lifestyle is about to change, therefore, your budget will need to change along with it.

Make sure to include health expenses and a savings plan. Even though you’re retired, it is important to continue to save for your future. You never know when you will need your rainy-day fund.

Related: The Best Retirement Calculators [How Much Will You Need to Retire]

Plan for Taxes

One thing that many may forget is that your taxes will change when you retire. It is important to understand these changes prior to retirement. Meet with a CPA to make a plan for retirement. Depending on your streams of income, it will be important to plan ahead and know your tax implications.

Just because you retire doesn’t mean you are free from Uncle Sam.

Hiring a tax professional is not only a great idea for retirement but also with your current position. You may be missing out on opportunities to save money and lower your taxes.

Create Multiple Streams of Income

One thing we know for sure is that relying on social security alone may leave you broke in retirement. Creating multiple streams of income will help you avoid financial stress. Do you have a 401k plan or are you investing in the stock market? Have you considered investing in real estate or starting your own business?

There are many options to create another form of cash flow. Relying on one stream of income will only leave you frustrated and strained for money. Plan ahead and choose the right investment for your lifestyle.

Continue to Invest

Just because you have retired doesn’t mean you need to stop investing. You will need your nest egg to last at least 20-30 years after your stop working. The money you invest will need to continue to grow.

Change your asset allocation and try not to be fearful of the market. Find a financial advisor with a similar investing philosophy to yours. This will help you remain accountable and level headed through market fluctuations.

Warning: Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. You don’t want to gamble during your retirement. You are not a day trader; you are retired. Make an investment plan and stick to it.

Create a Flexible Withdrawal Rate

Life happens. The market fluctuates, and your lifestyle changes. It is important also that you reevaluate your withdrawal rate periodically. You want to make sure that the rate is appropriate for what is going on in your life and the market.

It is good to have a percentage in mind you would like to stick to but there will be times this may need tochange. The rule of the thumb is4% annually. This isa safe amount to take from your retirement accounts.

Be flexible and prepare ahead of time.

Take Care of Your Health

This might seem obvious but medical bills can be extremely expensive. Accidents happen but there are a lot of ways we can take care of our health in the present. Taking care of your health can help you save money in the future.

Making little changes to your lifestyle and diet can drastically impact your retirement. Take a walk daily or maybe try a new healthy budget friendly meal. Every little bit helps.

Prolong Social Security Distributions

Many people are eligible for social security distributions at 62. The assumption is that they will receive more money over time if they take their distribution as soon as possible. This is not the case. If you were to wait until age 70, you would receive about 32% more. Over the course of your retirement you will receive more money overall.

By creating multiple streams of income, you will not have to rely solely on social security. Wait as long as possible to take your distributions. It will benefit you in the long run. Planned security is total security.

How will you avoid going broke in retirement? What are you doing to create multiple streams of income?

How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement - Part-Time Money (2024)

FAQs

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

According to the $1,000 per month rule, retirees can receive $1,000 per month if they withdraw 5% annually for every $240,000 they have set aside. For example, if you aim to take out $2,000 per month, you'll need to set aside $480,000. For $3,000 per month, you would need to save $720,000, and so on.

How can I save for retirement if I work part-time? ›

Saving for retirement without a regular paycheck is possible. Several options offer tax advantages. For those who are eligible, solo 401(k)s, spousal IRAs, and HSAs can help build a retirement nest egg. Investments in a brokerage account, while not tax-deferred, can also help grow retirement savings.

Is it good to work part-time in retirement? ›

A part-time job can give you a sense of purpose and an opportunity to feel useful to someone else. “You can build on your past experiences, your past skills and your past colleagues to look for that part-time job, or you can create your own new part-time job based on your interests,” Hurme says.

What is a good monthly retirement income? ›

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.

Is $2,000 a month enough to retire on? ›

Retiring on a fixed income can seem daunting, but with some planning and commitment to a frugal lifestyle, it's possible to retire comfortably on $2,000 a month. This takes discipline but ultimately will allow you to have more freedom and happiness in your golden years without money worries.

Is $1,500 a month enough to retire on? ›

Living on $1500 per month in retirement may seem challenging, but with careful planning and smart strategies, it is achievable.

How can I save money if I only work part-time? ›

Prioritize essentials: Allocate a portion of your income to essential expenses first, ensuring you cover your basic needs. Set savings goals: Determine how much you want to save each month and include that amount as an essential expense. Aim to save at least 20% of your income for emergencies or future expenses.

How does part-time work affect retirement? ›

Retirement eligibility: In determining eligibility for SS retirement benefits, part-time service is credited the same as full-time service. In other words, 10 years of service is 10 years of service, regardless of whether is was full-time or part-time.

How does working part-time after retirement affect Social Security? ›

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

What is the best age to retire from work? ›

When asked when they plan to retire, most people say between 65 and 67. But according to a Gallup survey the average age that people actually retire is 61.

What month is best to retire from work? ›

December 31. As above, December 31 has the benefit of a full month of income with the pension starting the next day. This is a common date for federal employees, who are the kings and queens of gaming the retirement system. Retiring on December 31 is likely to maximize your unpaid annual leave check.

Is $5000 a month a good pension? ›

Outside the most expensive parts of the United States, $5,000 per month is typically enough to cover rent or mortgage payments and other lifestyle expenses if you're mindful of your budget.

Is $4000 a month enough to retire on? ›

With $4,000 in monthly costs, your retirement funding challenge calls for $48,000 annually. The 4% safe withdrawal guideline proposes that retirement savings can safely produce 4% income per year, adjusted upwards annually for inflation, with little risk of depletion over a 30-year retirement.

Is $100 a month enough for retirement? ›

You could go from $0 to $1 million in less than 28 years by investing $100 per month if you earned a 20% average annual return during that period. The trouble is, that's not a realistic expectation. If you're banking on returns that high, you'll likely wind up disappointed and without enough to cover your retirement.

Can you live off $3000 a month in retirement? ›

But if you're past that phase of your life, setting realistic retirement expectations and moving to an affordable home can put you on track to a nice lifestyle while keeping your living costs below $3,000 each month.

How many years will $300 000 last in retirement? ›

$300,000 can last for roughly 26 years if your average monthly spend is around $1,600. Social Security benefits help bolster your retirement income and make retiring on $300k even more accessible. It's often recommended to have 10-12 times your current income in savings by the time you retire.

How long will $500,000 last year in retirement? ›

Yes, it is possible to retire comfortably on $500k. This amount allows for an annual withdrawal of $30,000 and below from the age of 60 to 85, covering 25 years. If $20,000 a year, or $1,667 a month, meets your lifestyle needs, then $500k is enough for your retirement.

Can you retire at 60 with $300 000? ›

The short answer to this question is, “Yes, provided you are prepared to accept a modest standard of living.” To get an an idea of what a 60-year-old individual with a $300,000 nest egg faces, our list of factors to check includes estimates of their income, before and after starting to receive Social Security, as well ...

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