Retirement Readiness: How will you prepare?
Much has been made of the current state of the American worker as it pertains to their retirement savings. According to a recent study by the General Accountability Office, 29% of Americans 55 and older do not have any retirement savings or pension plan, and those who have saved are woefully behind with 55-64 year-olds averaging $104,000 in retirement assets.¹
The bleak outlook can largely be attributed to a lack of education when it comes to retirement planning — and more specifically investment allocation. With a growing number of millennials feeling ill-equipped to make investment-related decisions — even within their own retirement plans — the numbers prove ignorance is not bliss. 41% of millennials say they are not currently investing in any financial products, and among them, 48% believe they don’t have enough money to invest.²
These numbers alone should serve as a call to action for younger workers who are increasingly finding themselves behind when it comes to saving for retirement. A sound, long-term roadmap to retirement can be centered on three key areas.
Develop healthy financial habits. In a society which has become increasingly driven by social media, it is very easy to fall prey to a “keeping up with the Jones’1” philosophy toward spending. Do you have “friends” who tweet and share every purchase and activity in their lives? Believe it or not, this subconsciously drives the temptation to spend on things we do not need or want — to impress people we may not even like! Finding a balance and delaying gratification on purchases can single handedly make or break your financial well-being and it starts with making tough budgeting decisions.
Live below your means. Try contributing an extra one or two percent to your company’s retirement plan or open up an IRA. You won’t miss the contribution and your standard of living will adjust accordingly. Seek to live below your means today to ensure a strong financial future tomorrow.
Reduce your debt. The average American household carries $5,823 in credit card debt. According to a study, the average household is paying a total of $1,029 in interest per year³ — translating to lost dollars which could be pumped into retirement savings and wealth accumulation. In some situations, debt, such as a mortgage or a student loan, can improve one’s financial position long-term; however, credit card debt in particular carries the highest interest rates and should be paid off as quickly as possible. Try working with an independent financial planner if necessary to consolidate debt and come up with a game plan to attack it head on.
At the end of the day, there’s no magic bullet to singlehandedly solve the retirement shortfall for millions of Americans. Only you can take steps to educate yourself and make prudent, financially savvy choices in your day-to-day life, which will translate to a significantly healthier financial standing. Don’t just hope the retirement picture in your life becomes clearer as the day gets closer. Take measured steps to build confident savings and investment solutions for your household by starting today!
For more information on retirement readiness, contact your financial professional, KerberRose Retirement Plan Services at (715) 524-6626 or 401kservices@kerberrose.com.
Sources
¹ GAO-19-442R, Retirement Security: Most Households Approaching Retirement Have Low Savings, an Update, 2019, from U.S. Government Accountability Office
² Data: 50% of Millennials Are Waiting to Invest Until They Earn More, 2020, from Business Insider.
³ 2021 American Household Credit Card Debt Study, 2022, from NerdWallet.