Keen On Retirement

How much about mom and dad’s financial picture should the kids be aware of? And when do kids need to know numbers and other hard details instead of just generalities?

A few times every year a new client walks into Keen Wealth so excited to start planning and saving that they think they’ve already done the work for me! They show me this big, beautiful spreadsheet they’ve put together that has everything: salaries, assets, liabilities, cash in the bank, investment accounts, their whole financial picture.

Social media is an invaluable tool for getting information, keeping in touch with our loved ones, and breaking up our days with a quick hit of entertainment. But the flipside to clicking through all those Facebook posts and vacation photos is, inevitably, we start comparing what we have and how we’re living to the people we follow.

Friday afternoon you clock out for the last time and walk into a big retirement party with all your co-workers. Following that, there’s another celebration over the weekend at home with friends and family. You’re looking forward to Monday morning, sleeping a little later, taking time to cook a nice breakfast with your spouse, and then spending the rest of your day doing what you want, when you want, with the people who matter the most to you

As we discussed earlier this year, 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the IRA and the 20th anniversary of the Roth IRA. For decades, Americans have been using these investment accounts to take control of their retirement planning and provide their families with favorable wealth building vehicles. The Roth in particular has become extremely popular thanks to its tax-free accumulation. And, as more and more seniors are working in retirement, the ability to keep making contributions for as long as you’re earning income is attractive as well.

More and more retirees are doing something very surprising with their nest eggs. Nothing! OK, OK, I’m exaggerating a little bit. After all, cracking open that nest egg you’ve worked so hard for and finding money that will support you through your golden years is definitely a very big something.