What to do if the retirement money looks like it will run out
Not being able to make ends meet can cause anxiety in retirees. You are in a position to help.
Editor’s note: This article considers action steps for people who might have some assets they could still use and who are fortunate enough to work with an advisor. We know there are many more who unfortunately don’t even have those options.
Sometimes it seems as agents and advisors you work with the lucky few. These are people who carefully planned for retirement or chose careers with great retirement benefits. There are many people who are unprepared. Others have entered into retirement with inadequate retirement savings. Do they have options?
The first thing you need to do is determine the extent of the problem. This involves retirement planning analysis. You know all about these tools. It will require data gathering. In this article we will assume your client is already in retirement with inadequate financial assets. What can they do?
1. Three sources of income. Years ago, a complex manager explained the retirement of the future will be like a three-legged stool. The first leg is defined benefits such as Social Security, defined benefit plans and annuities. The second is the income they can generate from their financial assets. Finally, there’s the possibility of earned income from a part-time job.
Strategy: Is your client maximizing income from all three legs of the stool? How do they feel about #3?
2. Are their financial assets properly invested? Let’s assume they have funds in the bank. You’ve heard about the rule of 72. Divide an interest rate into 72 and you get the approximate number of years the money would take to double. A 6% compounded rate would double in 12 years. If they are earning 1% at the bank, it might double in…72 years.
Strategy: Assuming they are comfortable with additional risk, look at total return stocks. They are hoping for appreciation while earning dividends in the meantime.
3. Do they have cash value in whole life insurance? They need income now. They’ve been paying premiums for years. Although they might be able to withdraw from their cash value, an annuity might be a better income idea.
Strategy: Can you do a 1035 exchange from a life insurance policy into an annuity to provide immediate income? Would that make sense?
4. Relocating to another state. New Jersey is known for it’ high property taxes. Many of your client’s friends might have relocated to Florida. There are several states with substantially lower costs of living. It’s a big step.
Strategy: Has your client considered this option? If they are agreeable, you could help them do the research.
5. Downsizing. Real estate has been doing well lately. Your client might be living in a well located family house that is a maintenance nightmare. They don’t need all that space. They have lots of equity, since the mortgage was paid off years ago. They could move to a townhouse or apartment where they would have less property maintenance.
Strategy: Have they considered downsizing? What’s their house worth? Where would they move? What might a smaller place cost?
6. Do they own vacation property? They might have a house at the beach or an apartment in the city, in addition to their primary residence. They might be getting clobbered in taxes because of the SALT limitation that was in the last tax act. They hardly use the property anymore.
Strategy: They need to determine if they are comfortable letting the beach house go. After taxes, the cash released could be used to provide income and/or be a cash cushion.
7. Convert vacation property into rental property. No, they don’t want to sell. They want to leave it to their children. Property prices are doing well. If they aren’t using it, would they consider renting it out?
Strategy: Now the property that was an expense is now an income-producing asset. They might need to get it into shape first. Hire a property management company and letting agent. It might get more favorable tax treatment too.
8. Look at hard assets. No, they aren’t doing a yard sale every Saturday! Your client has accumulated lots of stuff over the decades. Paradoxically, the things we think have value often don’t (china, crystal, brown furniture). The things we don’t think have value often do (Star Wars toys, lunchboxes, comics). The stuff you couldn’t give away before is now “Mid Century Modern.”
Strategy: Your client might need to hire an independent appraiser, but they should have someone look over their “stuff.” Get them watching Antiques Roadshow.
9. Lowering expenses. There are two ways to fix a shortfall: Increase income or reduce expenses. They might be paying big cable TV bills and phone bills. There are alternatives out there.
Strategy: Financial planning can include budgeting. They need to look at where the money goes and if they are getting the best deal. Sometimes, just telling a service provider you are intending to switch carriers can get you lower pricing.
10. Moving in with the kids. This might be a last resort, but it should be considered as an option. Many children find themselves in caregiver rules.
Strategy: This is an option they should consider and talk about with their children. They may be surprised at the outcome.
Not being able to make ends meet can cause anxiety in retirees. You are in a position to help.
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