Keen On Retirement

While inflation has generally improved in the past year or so, folks are still paying more for goods and services than they're used to. From a financial planning perspective, this short-term experience of above-average inflation has some valuable long-term lessons for seniors: throughout the course of your retirement, you should plan to cover rising prices every year as you're living off a relatively fixed income. The Federal Reserve tries to maintain an inflation rate increase of 2% per year, which it believes translates to a more stable economy. And even in years when inflation rates are below that target, modest upticks in costs will continue to compound and grow year over year. Let's take a look at how inflation typically affects three top-line retirement spending categories and how comprehensive financial planning can give seniors the resources they need to adjust to rising costs.

As a retiree, you might be done cashing a regular paycheck. But, as far as the IRS is concerned, you probably aren't done earning income or, in most cases, paying taxes. In fact, without precise planning around how and when you start tapping into your nest egg, you could open yourself up to higher tax liabilities in retirement than you had when you were working full time. Here's a very basic example of a retirement withdrawal strategy checklist that we use at Keen Wealth to help retirees minimize their taxes and maximize their resources for living a full and rewarding retirement.

Are you planning to spend more money or less money once you retire? Many retirees would answer, "About the same," and that makes sense. Folks figure that what they end up saving in professional expenses (commuting, meals, work clothes) and childcare, they'll shift over to things like taking vacations, joining their local country club, and some quality-of-life upgrades around the house. Sure, inflation will drive up the cost of some goods and services by a percent or two every year. But most seniors aren't looking for a lifestyle upgrade in retirement, and they want to avoid any serious downgrades. Maintaining the status quo, with a few well-earned splurges here and there, sounds like a dream. Financial professionals and economists used to assume consistent spending was, more or less, a likely retirement scenario as well. But decades of research and analysis have uncovered a "retirement consumption puzzle." Most new retirees actually spend less money than they did while they were working. Retiree spending rates then continue to decline throughout retirement, even as inflation keeps pushing consumer prices upwards. Let's break down the retirement consumption puzzle piece by piece and explore how Keen Wealth's comprehensive planning process can help folks assemble a reliable retirement spending plan.

If you go back and skim the 200-plus episodes we've recorded of Keen on Retirement, you'll notice that every year or so, we devote an episode to the latest financial frauds and scams that are making the rounds. Especially as we head into tax season, it's important that folks remember the IRS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration are never, ever going to call you and ask for your banking info. We also regularly caution folks against clicking on suspicious emails or text message links, or making investments that seem too good to be true with the Bernie Madoffs of the world. On today's show, we talk about another type of financial "fraud" that's perfectly legal but potentially just as dangerous to your financial security: taking bad advice from unaccredited financial commentators and celebrities trying to further their own best interests, not yours.

We spend a lot of time on Keen on Retirement discussing how retirement is changing, from new laws and rules to generational shifts in how seniors work and live. But one constant in the retirement planning process is the importance of the age of 65. Many folks still feel like turning 65 means you've hit "retirement age," even though the government's definition is a bit different. And even if you continue to work well into your 70s, at age 65 there are some important decisions that should be coordinated as your vision for your Golden Years comes into focus. On today's show, we discuss why the age of 65 will be an especially important transition point for the next couple of years. We also answer listener questions about charitable contributions and required minimum distributions that might factor into your tax prep this spring.

There's an old joke among financial advisors that part of our job is to help new retirees get comfortable taking more "SKI" Trips -- meaning, "Spend the Kids' Inheritance!" Many seniors who have worked hard and committed to a comprehensive financial plan retire with more money than they've ever had in their lives. We want those folks to feel safe and secure about their finances as they head into their Golden Years. But we also want them to have fun, pursue their passions, and explore opportunities for growth. To accomplish both goals -- security and enjoyment -- retirees should be aware that it can be difficult to shift from a savings mentality to an “it’s ok to spend even though I’m not receiving earned income anymore” mindset. My team at Keen Wealth focuses our spending conversations with retirees on these four important points.