18Apr
When Rest & Relaxation in Retirement Becomes Fear of Running Out of Money
Retirement is supposed to be a time of rejuvenation and relaxation, but for many retirees, financial stress can quickly turn it into a time of worry and struggle. One of the biggest concerns for retirees is running out of money. Unfortunately, it is a major issue, and it can happen for a variety of reasons.
The following are some common reasons retirees run out of money in retirement:
- Insufficient Savings: One of the primary reasons retirees run out of money in retirement is due to insufficient savings. Many people don’t start saving early enough, don’t save enough, or don’t have a good understanding of how much they will need in retirement. As a result, they may end up with a retirement fund that is too small to last their entire retirement period.
- Increased Life Expectancy: People are living longer than ever before, which means retirement savings must last longer too. Unfortunately, many people do not plan for an extended retirement period, and their savings run out before they pass away. This can be particularly challenging if they require long-term care, which can be very expensive.
- Inflation: Inflation is a fact of life, and it can significantly impact retirees’ ability to maintain their standard of living. Many retirees are on fixed incomes and may not be able to keep up with the rising costs of goods and services. This can lead to a situation where they need to dip into their retirement savings to cover their living expenses.
- Health Care Costs: As we age, health care costs tend to increase. These costs can be particularly challenging for retirees, especially those without health insurance. According to some estimates, a couple retiring in 2020 will need about $295,000 to cover their health care costs during retirement.
- Poor Investment Choices: Investing is an essential part of retirement planning. Unfortunately, some retirees make poor investment choices or do not understand how to manage their investments effectively. This can lead to a situation where their retirement savings do not perform as well as they had hoped, and they run out of money sooner than expected.
- Debt: Debt can be a significant problem for retirees. Those who carry debt into retirement may find that they need to use their retirement savings to pay it off. This can quickly deplete their savings and leave them without a financial cushion.
Running out of money in retirement is a widespread problem that can happen for many reasons. However, with careful planning and thoughtful decisions, retirees can reduce or even eliminate this problem. While there are many strategies that folks can take, the most important step is to plan properly and consider the risks facing your retirement.