Saturday 19 October 2013

IRA & Retirement Planning Mistakes: Don't Fall Victim To Bad IRA And Retirement Plan Advice

By Christopher M. Seymour


It is a fact that we will reach a point in our lives where we all need to retire from our professions. You dream of a life where you will just enjoy traveling and having fun for the remainder of your life but keep in mind that there is a cost that comes with it. Remember that you won't have regular income coming in and your expenses will just keep on pouring in. This means that we need to plan on how to save our money in a systematic way in order to enjoy it later on. Most individuals ask themselves why they need to have retirement planning. This is important because you need some sort of security when you reach the age of retirement. You can start to have one as early as your twenties. If you plan your finances at an early point in your life, you are most likely to have fewer financial commitments. You will be able to have a huge bank of resources by the time you retire when you start early.
[Retirement Planners]


There are a few things to consider when you are planning for old age. You have to reach a decision with regard to the income you will need in order to live a comfortable life as a retiree. You should take into account the medical expenses and vacations that you will have while reducing costs such as your child's education and rental fees if you own a house at the same time. You should also determine the amount you need to regularly save at this very moment in order to reach your goal. In case you do not have enough yet, you can start small with what you have at the moment. It will also benefit you to select the plan that will help you achieve your requirements. Also, it is advisable for you to invest a certain amount of money on a monthly basis in order to enjoy a healthy life as a retiree. Lastly, start saving money now. This will be one of the best suggestions that you will ever get in your life.

It would be a waste someday during our non working days to live a life that we cannot enjoy because we don't have enough savings. We all know how hard and tedious it is to work tirelessly. We need to have a vision of ourselves harvesting the fruits of our labors. Having a pleasurable vision of our retired selves on how we will live our lives someday could help us pursue and endure our tasks. If we think of it thoroughly, it's not only us that would benefit from succeeding the plan, most especially our children. All we need are inspirations that would give reachable advantages to us.

Another time, a 55 year old retires from his company with a million dollars in a retirement plan. The advisor recommends using an IRC Code 72(t) election for the entire million dollars. Only a fraction of that money was needed for cash flow between ages 55 and 59. The result of the faulty advice was unnecessary massive acceleration of income taxes between ages 55 and 59. The appropriate response would have been to make an IRC 72(t) election for part of the IRA, not all of it.

Not long ago, I was talking to a registered investment advisor or what is known as a financial planner. No, it wasn't mine rather I met the individual in passing at the local Starbucks. In talking about all the ongoing educational requirements and all the new regulations in that financial sector I realized how difficult it was for the practitioners to deal with their clientele.

The basic information for all your bank, brokerage, retirement and other financial and investment accounts. This includes the name of the institution, the institution's contact information, the account numbers, passwords and user names for online account access and the addresses of any websites used to access or monitor the accounts.The location of all paperwork related to retirement planning including wills, legal documents, insurance policies, annuity policies, prospectuses, checkbooks, etc.How to access all of the investment and bank accounts. If you have an IRA, 401k, money market account, brokerage account or CD both spouses should know how to access it and withdraw money. If you have a life insurance policy with cash value both spouses should know how to access it and borrow money.

The basic information about all the insurance policies and annuities you have. Both spouses should know the names of the insurance companies they hold policies with and know how to contact them. You should have a list of all the policies and numbers written down.If you use any sort of financial advisor or retirement planner spouses should meet with that individual. Both of you should know how to get in touch with that person and know what financial decisions he or she is making.Legal Considerations.It is not just enough to know where all of the money and paperwork is.

Both of you should have the legal right to access the accounts. Read all of the documentation and make sure this is the case. If not get it changed so it will not be a hassle later on.If you are not married you should check with an attorney to see what your rights are in your state. The law can vary widely from state to state and some states may not recognize some living arrangements. Something to be aware of is that relatives could try to claim they have legal powers over your partner or his money if there is no formal legal marriage. It may pay to get married or set up a legal arrangement such as a domestic partnership to protect your rights.




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