Are You Saving Enough?

When you think about retirement, what is foremost in your mind? Freedom from work? The chance to spend your time the way you want? The amount of money you will need to save to live comfortably?

The “M” Factor

It’s probably safe to assume that money will play an important role in your retirement plans. Whether your goal is to retire early or to keep working past your full retirement age (the age at which you are eligible to claim 100% of your Social Security benefit), knowing how much you will need to save to pursue the retirement lifestyle you want is essential.

More Than a Number

The age at which you plan to retire will have an impact on the number of years you have to accumulate retirement savings. The earlier your retirement age, the more aggressive you need to be with the amount you’re saving. Conversely, the longer you work, the more time you’ll have to accumulate savings. Since no one can predict how long you’ll live in retirement, saving as much as possible is a smart move.

Your Retirement Lifestyle

Thinking about the things you want to do once you retire will give you an idea of how much savings you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle. If extensive travel or a move to a new location is among your goals, you may need to save more than if you plan to stay close to home. If you plan to work part-time during retirement, your savings may stretch further.

Consider an IRA

Individual retirement accounts offer a broad range of investments that can add diversification* to your portfolio. For 2022, you can contribute $6,000 to a traditional IRA (increasing to $6,500 for 2023), plus an additional $1,000 if you’re age 50 or older. You may be able to deduct contributions made by April 18, 2023, on your 2022 tax return. Income limits apply if you or a spouse is covered by an employer’s retirement plan.

Your financial professional can help you create a saving strategy that considers your goals and your time horizon.

*Diversification cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. Past performance won’t guarantee future results. An investment in stocks or mutual funds can result in a loss of principal.