“Will My Savings Last Through Retirement?”

“Will My Savings Last Through Retirement?”

You’ve worked hard and saved for the future — now you need to make sure your savings last the rest of your life. By understanding the risks you face, you can make smart choices about how much to withdraw and how to handle unexpected financial challenges.

The financial implications of a long life:

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, people today can expect to live more than 30 years longer than they did a century ago. Individuals who reached age 65 in 1950 could expect to live an average of 14 years more, to age 79; now a 65-year-old might expect to live for roughly an additional 19 years.

Determine a sustainable withdrawal rate. A smart, conservative withdrawal plan can help. Working with a financial advisor to decide how much to withdraw, which accounts to take the money from, and when to do so can help secure a comfortable retirement for you and your spouse or partner, and help ensure your retirement income lasts as long as possible.

How much can you afford to withdraw from your savings each year will depend on your individual needs. Many retirees have an unrealistic idea of the amounts they can withdraw annually without running out of money. Aggressive withdrawals are generally unsustainable — especially when the markets are down.

In reality, withdrawing 4 to 5 percent in the first year, with cost-of-living adjustments to the payment amount in subsequent years, may be realistic for many people over the long term. However, it is advantageous to take the smallest possible amount and revisit your withdrawal rate frequently.
The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of the team at FCG and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.