Friday, February 6, 2015

Tips For How To Retire Comfortably And Happy

By Ines Flores


Planning for retirement is very important. Many people are living longer today, and therefore, it is possible for a person to live another twenty or thirty years after they stop working. To ensure that this period of your life is a good one, there are lots of tips you might want to consider for how to retire comfortably and happy.

The first thing you need to do is choose the date you are planning to retire. Most workers leave the workforce when they are ready to, normally at sixty-five, but many are forced to leave early for various situations, such as a company layoff or health issues. For this reason, it is always good to plan ahead. If you have a retirement date in mind, work toward that goal, but create a contingency plan if your date is moved up unexpectedly.

If your employer does not have a retirement plan, ask them to start one. If they refuse, put your money in an Individual Retirement Account. You are allowed to put $5,500 each year into your IRA. Once you are over fifty, you can contribute more than that. An IRA offers certain tax advantages for individuals who want to grow their money for the future.

If you decide to open an IRA, you can choose between a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA account. Your taxes, contributions and withdrawals will be different depending on which one you select. IRAs can be set it up so that the money is automatically deducted from your account every pay day and deposited in the IRA.

When planning for retirement, remember to beware of the effects of inflation. Make sure you know the difference between various types of investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Learn about what your options are and ask lots of questions.

Another way to be happy in retirement is if you maintain the friends you had while you were working, or make new friend outside of work. This can prevent you from feeling lonely in your later years. Join social groups or arrange to meet your working friends for lunch periodically. Do not be afraid to try new activities now that you have more free time.

Also, do not touch your savings when you build it up. Withdrawing from your savings can cause you to lose principal and the benefits of compound interest. You might also lose the tax benefits or have to pay a penalty for withdrawing early. Do not cash out your 401(k) or pension account if you leave your job. It is wiser to leave the funds invested there or roll the money over to an IRA or a pension account at your new job.

You should also find out about your Social Security benefits that you may be entitled to. Social Security normally pays you a benefit that is equal to forty percent of your earnings before you retire. You can estimate your benefits by using the Social Security Administration website or calling them for more information.




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