Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.
3 easy retirement rules of thumb
Forbes outlines three rules of thumb for retirement savings. First, clients can multiply their current salary by a certain number based on their age to know the amount they should save for their golden years, according to Fidelity Investments. For example, Fidelity suggests having savings equal to one year's salary at age 35; then two times at 40; three times at 45, and so on in increments up to age 60. Second, a couple who has earned a reasonable combined salary and qualifies for the maximum Social Security benefit is likely to get about $40,000 a year in retirement benefits, if they put off taking those benefits to the full retirement age. For more, remember that $1 million conservatively invested will generate $40,000 as well. So, for each $1 million you've saved, you double your Social Security income. If you only need $60,000 to live, you need just $500,000 to retire. Finally, make sure your investments perform. A well-invested portfolio is likely to double in value every 10 years or so. So if your plan is to get to $1 million, you have to have $500,000 about a decade before your retirement target; and $250,000 about two decades before your target retirement age, and so on. --Forbes
What should I do with my 401(k) now?
Clients with 401(k) plan investments should monitor stock market trends and other indicators closely to avoid the bear market instead of riding through it, according to MarketWatch. Even those who are 100% invested given the bull market should still be cautious. A bear market does not happen quickly, so investors have time to watch for signs that will indicate the market is on a decline. --MarketWatch
Is this retirement move right for you?
Rolling 401(k) money into IRA is not always a good move for clients with a new job, as IRA investments could be more costly than 401(k) investments, according to CNN Money. Before making a decision, clients should be aware of misleading ads that downplay hefty expenses associated with a rollover. They should also weigh their investment options and take note of the fees involved. An IRA rollover is a good option if clients have multiple 401(k) accounts from previous employments. --CNN Money
How to plan for retirement as a stay-at-home parent
The first step that stay-at-home parents can take to ensure their financial security in retirement is to become debt-free and to have an adequate emergency fund for their families, according to Motley Fool. They may then start saving by increasing their spouses 401(k) contributions, getting a spousal IRA, and creating a taxable brokerage account. Stay-at-home clients should make their nest eggs a priority when they make any financial decisions and should make sure they are on track with their retirement plans. --Motley Fool
Should you add longevity protection to your retirement plan?
While clients can use their IRAs to invest in longevity annuities, retirees need to look into these options before making any decisions, according to Morningstar. There are advantages and disadvantages, including behavioral and financial factors, to consider when pursuing such investments. Another factor is the amount of IRA that retirees may use to obtain these annuities. --Morningstar
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