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4 Different Ways Your Retirement Could Play Out

(NewsUSA) - 100.

That’s the age that 69 percent of Americans say they want to live till, according to a just-released “Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement” study conducted by financial services firm Edward Jones in partnership with Age Wave and The Harris Poll.  

If that seems surprising, it may be because most of us envision what used to be called our “golden years” unfolding far differently than they did for our parents and grandparents.  “Today’s retirees have a growing array of opportunities to stay engaged, possibly reinvent themselves, and enjoy the freedoms that stage of life affords,” said Edward Jones’ Ken Cella.

Ah, but, just how enjoyable your later years wind up being depends on which “path,” as Edward Jones calls it, you follow.

Purposeful Pathfinders

1.Purposeful Pathfinders

You’ve seen the photos of older couples hiking or happily sightseeing outside the Eiffel Tower, right?  Unless they inherited their wealth or hit the lottery – two things you don’t want to depend on – it’s likely because they began saving for retirement earlier (age 34, on average) than most of the more than 4,000 retirees surveyed and invested their money wisely along the way.  Ergo, with 78 percent of this group reporting that they’re in “great shape financially,” four words describe their retirement:  happy, engaged, productive and contributory.  

Relaxed Traditionalists

2.Relaxed Traditionalists

Rest, relaxation and generally enjoying life free from past responsibilities typify them.  They, too, have mainly heeded Edward Jones’ most important warning: “The value of financial foresight cannot be underestimated since the conventional three-legged stool for funding retirement – pensions, Social Security and personal savings – has become even more wobbly, and unexpected expenses like healthcare can arise.”  

The most open to relocating – including to an adult living community –moving was made easier for them since they’d been saving since age 37 and may even have used the sale of their house to finance it.    

Challenged Yet Hopefuls

3.Challenged Yet Hopefuls

Okay, here’s where things start to get a bit dicey.

Most of those surveyed said they should have started saving at age 29; this group, ruefully as they now admit, actually started at 45, which was seven years later than the average of those polled.  

Consequently, while they lead active lives and are doing the best with what they have, their retirement years are what you would call “constrained.”  

How constrained?  Half admitted to often worrying about outliving their money and 54 percent with retirement accounts have resorted to early withdrawals.

Regretful Strugglers

4.Regretful Strugglers

The name says it all.

The least prepared for retirement, they’re also unfortunately the largest group of retirees (31 percent) and have little if any savings.

They’re also the most unhappy, the most regretful about the choices they’ve made, and the most down on life in general.

Sounds bleak?  Wait, it gets worse.

A whopping two-thirds of them seriously worry about outliving their savings.  A fate you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy and one you can potentially avoid by consulting a financial advisor, like a trusted local one at Edward Jones, who can help bring you closer to the future you see for yourself.  Plus, one of the firm’s free online tools even lets you calculate whether you’re on track to save enough to retire when you want.    

Whether you live to be 100 or not is an entirely different story.

Reissue: June 15, 2022

2022 Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool Preview and Betting Picks

(NewsUSA) - Two of the biggest clubs in European soccer will face each other in the 2022 Champions League final as the Spanish top-flight league champions Real Madrid take on Liverpool. With 13 Champions League titles, Real Madrid are the most successful team in the most prestigious competition, while Liverpool’s six trophies are sitting third. Here are the Champions League predictions for the most anticipated match of the season, according to analysts at BetUS TV.

Real Madrid: Comeback Masters     

Real Madrid booked their place in the semi-finals after beating Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate, with Benzema scoring the winning goal in extra time.

“Outstanding comebacks are increasingly a staple of the modern Champions League, and this season they have belonged almost exclusively to Los Blancos, who took their UCL comebacks to another level,” says Gordon “Flash” Watson, senior soccer betting analyst and on-air personality at BetUS TV. “Not many fancied them to get through against PSG with the best striker of the season, Karim Benzema, scoring twice in two minutes to turn the tie on its head and set Madrid en route to the final.”

In the semi-finals, Los Blancos trailed Manchester City 1-0 heading into the 90th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Pep Guardiola’s team leading 5-3 on aggregate. Two goals from Rodrygo, in the space of 90 seconds, forced extra time, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team set up a meeting with Liverpool in Paris when the one-and-only Karim Benzema scored from the penalty spot to claim a 3-1 victory.

Liverpool: Most Complete Team in Europe     

Liverpool beat Chelsea twice on penalties to win the FA Cup and League Cup. Jürgen Klopp’s side are sitting second in the Premier League behind leaders Man City, and the Reds have reached the Champions League final. The Reds extended their lead over Man United as England’s most successful club with 50 major trophies, and they still have the opportunity to move seven honors clear of historic rivals this month with the UCL final in sight. We could say that Liverpool had an easier path on their way to the final beating Villarreal, Benfica and Inter but still, they look to be one of the most complete teams in Europe’s top five leagues.

Real Madrid vs. Liverpool Betting Picks     

At this level, the margins are impossibly fine. The Champions League odds favor Liverpool but why risk a bet on the winners’ market when we know that this match will be a goal-fest? Both squads possess individual talent and skills, and they are fully packed with world-class players to make this a high-scoring affair. The potency of both teams has been evident all season across all competitions. Madrid’s last five UCL games have seen at least three goals on the scoresheet, while more than 2.5 goals have been scored in three of Liverpool’s previous four Champions League fixtures. Recent matchups between the two also favor the over, as two of their last three meetings have seen exactly four goals scored.

Pick: Both teams to score and over 2  goals in the match at -105.

Watch the full episode at BetUS TV as analysts discuss their betting strategies ahead of the UCL Final.  

Planning Your Financial Future with A Professional You Can Trust

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional makes a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary, which means acting in their clients' best interests at all times when providing financial advice. You should want a financial adviser who makes this commitment directly to you. Therefore, whomever you choose as your financial professional, including a CFP® professional, you should consider getting a written engagement that requires them to have a fiduciary obligation to you.

Professional standards are important to protect consumers. CFP Board's Code and Standards sets forth the commitment that all CFP® professionals make to CFP Board. This includes duties to maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of client information.

In addition, CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to disclose any conflicts of interest that might affect the professional relationship and compromise the CFP® professional's ability to act in their clients' best interests.

Approximately one year ago, CFP Board updated its Code and Standards to mandate that all CFP® professionals commit to CFP Board to act as fiduciaries for their clients when providing financial advice.

"Simply put, someone acting as a fiduciary should deliver financial advice that is clear, specific, objective and thorough," says Dan Candura, a CFP Board Emeritus® member and Founder of Candura Group, LLC.

Professionals who follow CFP Board's Code and Standards commit to fulfilling three key duties as part of their fiduciary duty:

- Duty of Loyalty. This means putting their clients' interests first.

"Your interests should be placed above the interest of the CFP® professional and the CFP® professional's firm," according to CFP Board's website.

- Duty of Care. This means being careful, acting with prudence and diligence in making recommendations to clients.

For example, if you receive a sudden windfall of money that you want to delay investing, a CFP® professional who abides by a commitment to CFP Board will review the reasonable options and consider factors such as risks and interest rates in making the best recommendation.

- Duty to Follow Client Instructions. This means complying with all objectives, policies, restrictions, and other terms on which you have agreed, and "all reasonable and lawful directions of you, the client," according to CFP Board.

"Meeting these three duties enables CFP® professionals to honor their commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary, in the client's best interest. Certainly, that is what every client deserves," Candura says.

To learn more about how CFP Board's Code and Standards for CFP® professionals help protect consumers, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

 

Storied Clubs Face-Off in Champions League Final: Odds on the Move

(NewsUSA) - The most-anticipated match of the club soccer season approaches, as Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League Final, May 28th at the Stade de France. Combined, these two have won the Champions League an astounding 19 times.

Liverpool currently sit as -170 favorites to hoist the trophy, while Real Madrid offer Champions League odds of +140.

Money Moving In on Madrid

La Liga champions Real Madrid proved themselves as the comeback kings of the Champions League this season. They stunningly overturned a last-minute, two-goal deficit in the second leg of the semifinal vs. Manchester City. In one of the most enthralling matches in the tournament's history, striker Karim Benzema scored the winning penalty to clinch Real's first UCL final since 2018.

Now, the 90-minute odds are gradually moving in Real Madrid's favor -- opening at +275, Real dropped in price to +250. (Another extra-time thriller is viewed as slightly less likely at +270.)

Los Blancos have one of the winningest managers in Champions League history, Carlo Ancelotti. His side have been on cruise control since clinching La Liga with four games to spare. Currently, Madrid's entire starting eleven is available for selection.

Fatigue, Injuries Cause Line Movements

Liverpool opened at -105, but have been expending energy in search of an unprecedented quadruple trophy haul. Liverpool's boisterous German manager, Jürgen Klopp, has constantly rotated his squad while juggling multiple concurrent competitions.

On the other hand, Madrid should have fresh legs, and analysts at the sports-betting website PointSpreads.com suggest that is why money backing Madrid has flooded in, moving Liverpool down to their current +105 winning odds.

Liverpool won the FA Cup final last weekend -- a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea -- but their second trophy of the season came with a cost. Leading scorer Mohamed Salah and key center back Virgil van Dijk left early with injuries.

Ballon d'Or Contenders on Both Sides

Real Madrid's Benzema, the imminent La Liga golden boot winner, will undoubtedly be on the shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d'Or. Liverpool's Salah and Sadio Mane have also played themselves into the conversation and Salah is the Premier League's joint-leading scorer. With no shortage of world class talent on display, bettors responded by taking the over.

Despite over 2? goals sitting at -135 odds, the last three Champions League finals finished with two or fewer goals. 

Reissue: June 15, 2022

12 Things You Need to Know Before Betting The 2022 NBA Finals

(NewsUSA) - The matchups are yet to be decided, but here are 12 facts you should know before placing your NBA Finals bets. Some of these little-known facts and figures can be the keys to placing winning bets. But keep in mind, betting lines are subject to change. Online sportsbooks such as BetUS.com update their NBA odds regularly.

* The winner of Game 1 has claimed the title in 14 of the last 20 NBA Finals.

* The home team has won Game One in 15 of the last 16 NBA Finals, excluding the 2020 championship, which was played on a neutral court. That trend could continue, so keep an eye on the NBA lines once the Finals are decided.

* The team with home-court advantage has also won the championship in 14 of the last 20 NBA Finals. Golden State will have home-court advantage no matter its opponent. Dallas would have homecourt advantage over Boston but not Miami.

* Since the NBA Finals MVP was first awarded in 1969, only two players -- Joe White (1976) and Chauncey Billups (2004) -- are among eligible players on the outside looking in at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The other 51 are either enshrined, still active or waiting to become eligible. That means the MVP will be: Steph Curry (+225), Jayson Tatum (+250), Jimmy Butler (+550) or Luka Doncic (+650).

* The East has not had consecutive titles from different teams since Detroit and Chicago won back-to-back championships in 1990 and 1991. The winner of Miami and Boston will try to end that streak after Milwaukee won last year.

* The last time a team outside the top two seeds represented the West was the 2012 Mavericks, who won the title vs. Miami as a No. 3 seed. The last time a No. 4 seed did the same? The 2008 Mavericks, who lost the championship series to Miami. Could we see a rubber match?

* The 2008 Celtics were the last No. 1 seed from the East to win a title without LeBron James on their roster. Miami has a chance to change that.

* The last three head coaches to win NBA titles -- Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel and Mike Budeholzer -- were all first-timers. Golden State's Steve Kerr has three titles, and Miami's Erik Spoelstra has two, while Dallas's Jason Kidd and Boston's Ime Udoka are in search of their first rings as head coaches.

* The average NBA Finals score has leveled out since skyrocketing to 236 points per game in 2017. Averages were about 217 PPG in both 2018 and 2019 before dipping to 214.5 in 2020 and sneaking back up to 221 in 2021. Keep an eye on the totals (or over/unders), as anything outside that range may give you a leg up.

* Dallas finished 6-2 in the regular season vs. the three other remaining teams. Golden State went 4-4, Boston 3-4 and Miami 2-5.

* How long will the series last? History says six games is the most likely result. Since the 1976 merger, six series have been 4-0 sweeps, 10 have ended in Game 5 and eight have finished in a do-or-die Game 7. The other 22 went six games.

* Titles have been relatively even between the two conferences. The West holds a 26-24 advantage over the last 50 championship series, and the last 10 are split evenly at 5-5.

Smart bettors read between the lines, and keeping these twelve little-known stats, facts and figures in mind when laying your NBA Finals bets this year should improve your odds of making a profit as we send this year's NBA season off to the history books.

 

NFL Week One Odds Released: Bronco's Host The Seahawks

(NewsUSA) - - The 2022-23 NFL season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 8, as a marquee matchup headlines several intriguing matchups. Here is a look at what you can expect.

Game of the Week

Buffalo Bills (+1) at Los Angeles Rams (-1)

The season kicks off September 8th in a game featuring the defending Super Bowl champions facing the current AFC favorites -- and the tightest opening point spread of Week One, with just a single point separating the teams.

The Rams will begin their title defense when they host the Bills in primetime on Thursday night. With two of the league's best arms -- Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen -- and a gauntlet of weapons, you can expect a high-scoring battle between two of the NFL's top eight scoring offenses from last year. BetUS.com has the total (or over/under) pegged at 52.5 at press time.

Top Storyline

Denver Broncos (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks (+3.5)

The first week's most talked- about story will almost certainly be the last game of the week, when Denver's Russell Wilson meets an old friend in a familiar location.

The star quarterback will make his Broncos debut in Seattle, where he played his first 10 professional seasons before being traded in the offseason.

All of this will be on Monday Night Football, where Wilson sports a 10-3 record. It would be hard to ask for a more dramatic scene as one of the biggest revenge games of this or any season on September 12th. Denver opened as -3.5 favorites and, according to BetUS, early action on the game is favoring the Broncos despite the team is on the road 

Other AFC West Matchups

Raiders (+4) at Chargers (-4). Total: 51.5

The last time we saw the Chargers, they were being dramatically eliminated from the playoffs by the Las Vegas Raiders, 35-32, in the regular season finale. That was the fifth time in the last six meetings that the game was decided by a touchdown or less. Their opening week rematch could, yet again, have major playoff repercussions in a hotly contested division.

Chiefs (-3) at Cardinals (+3). Total: 53

Defending AFC West champ Kansas City will start its season in Arizona, the first of eight consecutive opponents for the Chiefs which had winning records last season.

Other Intriguing Games

Tampa Bay (-2.5) at Dallas (+2.5). Total: 52

For the second consecutive season, NFC favorite Tampa Bay will face Dallas in a primetime slot. The Buccaneers snuck by the Cowboys 31-29 in a thrilling battle to kick off the 2021-22 season. A similar result could be expected this time around, according to the opening odds posted by BetUS, where the Bucs opened as a 2.5-point favorite. A more appealing wager might be the over 52 points.

Pittsburgh (+7) at Cincinnati (-7). Total: 44

The Bengals start their defense of the AFC crown at home against the Steelers, who are entering a new era following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Cincinnati has won the last three matchups by an average margin of 18, and the Steelers have managed just one, first-half touchdown in that stretch. Despite those stats, bookmakers opened the Bengals as only a 7-point favorite -- a line many bettors are sure to find tempting. 

Here is the full opening week schedule with the latest NFL lines:

Thursday, Sept. 8

Bills at Rams (-1). Total: 52.5

Sunday, Sept. 11

Ravens (-5) at Jets. Total: 45
Saints (-3.5) at Falcons. Total: 42
Patriots at Dolphins (-3). Total: 45
Browns (-4.5) at Panthers. Total: 43.5
Steelers at Bengals (-7). Total: 44.5
49ers (-7) at Bears. Total: 42
Eagles (-4) at Lions. Total: 46.5
Colts (-9) at Texans. Total: 44
Jaguars at Commanders (-3.5). Total: 44
Chiefs (-3) at Cardinals. Total: 53
Raiders at Chargers (-4). Total: 51.5
Packers (-1.5) at Vikings. Total: 49
Giants at Titans (-7). Total: 44
Buccaneers (-2.5) at Cowboys. Total: 52

Monday, Sept. 12

Broncos (-3.5) at Seahawks. Total: 41 

Lines are subject to change. Check the latest NFL Week One odds.

Baseball Bettors Find Value in World Series Futures Markets

But what every sports fan might not know is that now is the time to find some of the best odds to bet your favorite teams to win this year's World Series. We're talking about betting futures, and they offer some of the best chances of scoring a big payday this baseball season.

The first step is finding the best value for your money, so you need to choose teams that play good baseball but still have odds that offer you, the sports bettor, a decent return should they go all the way this year. For example, there is plenty of risk but not much reward in betting the 5.5-to-1 odds on the Los Angeles Dodgers to become this year's World Series champs, according to Barry Barger, a senior betting analyst at BetUS.com, an online sportsbook that is a favorite for baseball bettors across the country. The NL West team is loaded, but also is in a division which every team is playing solid baseball.

One team that gave the Dodgers a run for their money in 2021 is the San Francisco Giants. And you can get both San Francisco and the San Diego Padres at 17-1 odds on the World Series futures market at BetUS.

The current World Series champions - the Atlanta Braves - surprised last year, yet are currently offered at generous 15-to-1 odds to do it again this year because of a sluggish start and the strong play of the New York Mets. "Remember, this is a 162-game season plus the grind of the playoffs, so intriguing betting opportunities will abound," Barger says.

Another team on the West Coast is also offering attractive odds. Currently, the Los Angeles Angels carry 21-1 odds to win the World Series at BetUS. And along with the Angels comes Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rendon and a ton of talent. "If the Angels stay healthy, it could make their fans a lot of money this year," according to Barger.

Meanwhile, The Tampa Bay Rays sit at 17-1 and they are off to a more than solid start. This club has had so much success in recent years, it figures to somehow, someway earn the World Series trophy for the first time.

A touch below the Rays are the Milwaukee Brewers, another squad that wins a lot of games but just not at the right time. They look enticing at 15-1.

Not far behind the Brewers in the NL Central,, but trailing them significantly on the Futures market are the St. Louis Cardinals, who are 34-1. That is a franchise with great success in the postseason and is never a surprise when it succeeds.

Another team offering potentially more excitement and bang for your betting dollar are the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are showing plenty of spark and life - and BetUS currently offers them at 34-1 to win the World Series this year.

Before placing their bets, fans should review all the current odds to win the 2022 World Series because odds often change as the season progresses.

Baseball Fans Should Choose World Series Futures Now for The Best Odds: Experts

(NewsUSA) - May is here and baseball season is in full swing. Of course, the regular season offers any number of opportunities to beat the sportsbooks, as long as you keep a close eye on the MLB odds and MLB lines for the best value.

But what every sports fan might not know is that now is the time to find some of the best odds to bet your favorite teams to win this year's World Series. We're talking about betting futures, and they offer some of the best chances of scoring a big payday this baseball season.

The first step is finding the best value for your money, so you need to choose teams that play good baseball but still have odds that offer you, the sports bettor, a decent return should they go all the way this year. For example, there is plenty of risk but not much reward in betting the 5.5-to-1 odds on the Los Angeles Dodgers to become this year's World Series champs, according to Barry Barger, a senior betting analyst at BetUS.com, an online sportsbook that is a favorite for baseball bettors across the country. The NL West team is loaded, but also is in a division which every team is playing solid baseball.

One team that gave the Dodgers a run for their money in 2021 is the San Francisco Giants. And you can get both San Francisco and the San Diego Padres at 17-1 odds on the World Series futures market at BetUS.

The current World Series champions - the Atlanta Braves - surprised last year, yet are currently offered at generous 15-to-1 odds to do it again this year because of a sluggish start and the strong play of the New York Mets. "Remember, this is a 162-game season plus the grind of the playoffs, so intriguing betting opportunities will abound," Barger says.

Another team on the West Coast is also offering attractive odds. Currently, the Los Angeles Angels carry 21-1 odds to win the World Series at BetUS. And along with the Angels comes Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rendon and a ton of talent. "If the Angels stay healthy, it could make their fans a lot of money this year," according to Barger.

Meanwhile, The Tampa Bay Rays sit at 17-1 and they are off to a more than solid start. This club has had so much success in recent years, it figures to somehow, someway earn the World Series trophy for the first time.

A touch below the Rays are the Milwaukee Brewers, another squad that wins a lot of games but just not at the right time. They look enticing at 15-1.

Not far behind the Brewers in the NL Central,, but trailing them significantly on the Futures market are the St. Louis Cardinals, who are 34-1. That is a franchise with great success in the postseason and is never a surprise when it succeeds.

Another team offering potentially more excitement and bang for your betting dollar are the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are showing plenty of spark and life - and BetUS currently offers them at 34-1 to win the World Series this year.

Before placing their bets, fans should review all the current odds to win the 2022 World Series because odds often change as the season progresses.

Divvy Homes Is on a Mission to Make Homeownership More Accessible

(NewsUSA) - Recent inflationary pressure, challenging financial circumstances and a looming rise in interest rates have made aspiring homeowners across the country feel like the dream of owning their home is slipping away from them. This situation may seem bleak, but San Francisco-based start-up, Divvy Homes offers aspiring homeowners another option to make their dreams a reality.

Divvy Homes is dedicated to making homeownership more accessible to American families. The company has designed a program for would-be homeowners who don't quite qualify for a traditional mortgage because of tighter lender requirements, not quite enough savings or a range of other reasons.

Divvy helps by offering a program that allows customers to build savings with their Divvy payment, boost their credit score through free credit counseling and ultimately position themselves to qualify for a traditional mortgage at the end of their three-year lease. If a customer is ahead of schedule and wants to purchase before their lease ends, they can buy their home from Divvy whenever they are ready.

Here's how it works:

- Qualify. The process starts when buyers complete a five-minute online application. Divvy requires a minimum household income of $2,500 per month and proof of three months of income. It will then run a soft credit check, complete a background check and ask for a government-issued ID. Once approved, the customer receives a home-buying budget and pairs up with a real estate agent to start shopping. Already have an agent? Not a problem. Divvy knows the homefinding process is personal and will work with the agent of the customer's choice.

- Buy. Once the customer finds their dream home, Divvy bids to purchase the property. When a bid is successful, customers can expect a quick closing process so they can get the keys and move in.

- Save. The customer contributes a payment of one to two percent of the home's value at the beginning of the lease. That money is held on behalf of the customer to be used toward a down payment when the customer is ready to purchase the home. In addition to the initial payment, up to 25 percent of each monthly payment goes toward saving for a down payment. It's a plan that combines the flexibility of renting with the benefit of a savings program that prepares customers for the wealth-building power of homeownership when they are ready.

- Own. The potential homeowner builds up to 10 percent of the home's value over their three-year lease, but they can elect to obtain a mortgage and buy the home at any time. Change of heart? Customers can walk away from the arrangement and cash out their savings, net of a relisting fee.

Divvy has a consistent and growing record of creating new homeowners across the country. It has closed more homes in 2021 alone than in the past four years and doubled their market share since the beginning of 2021. Divvy customers have exercised their option to purchase their homes at a rate of nearly 50 percent -- well above the conversion rates of industry competitors.

The Divvy Homes program is currently available in 16 metropolitan areas across the United States: Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Ft Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Memphis, TN; Minneapolis, MN; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; San Antonio, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Tampa, FL.

Visit divvyhomes.com for more information.

 

Strategies for a Smooth Retirement on a Fixed Income

(NewsUSA) - When making financial plans for retirement on a fixed income, remember that your retirement life at the beginning is not how it will continue indefinitely. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional will assist you in creating a smooth retirement plan that best fits your needs over time. "Your retirement will evolve in phases as your priorities change," says Cary Carbonaro, CFP.® "One of the most important things you can do right now is understand how your retirement will change and then budget for those different phases."

Carbonaro suggests thinking of retirement in three phases:

  • Early: The early years of retirement are the years when most retirees enjoy good health and are free of work and child-rearing, allowing travel and other activities to play a larger role in the budget.
  • Middle: This phase can be considered a slowing-down and transitional phase for many. Changes in health, legacy and other goals will impact financial plans and budgeting.
  • Late: Late retirement is when healthcare and other similar issues take priority.

Regardless of your phase of retirement, it's important to consider all your sources of retirement income. For most people, these include savings, investments and Social Security. Some people also have a pension plan from a former employer.

Keys to successful financial planning on a fixed income include:

  • Organizing withdrawals. You can choose to withdraw from retirement accounts monthly, but other options are annual, semi- annual or quarterly. Set up a plan that meets your needs.
  • Budgeting. Your fixed-income budget will likely evolve, but it is important to have a plan in place so you can balance money for fun and adventure with a cushion for unexpected retirement expenses that could drain your savings.
  • Considering costs. One often-overlooked expense when planning a retirement budget is the taxes on retirement account withdrawals. Carbonaro recommends withholding at least 20% to 25% of a withdrawal for taxes.

When developing a financial plan, retirees on a fixed income should also factor in the need for long-term care, which might involve paying for personal assistance with bathing, dressing and taking medications.

Caring for adult children also is becoming a more common source of costs for retirees. Census data suggest that more than one-third of adults aged 18 to 34 are living in their parents' home. In some cases, the situation is reversed, and retirees find themselves moving in with their adult children, either as a matter of preference or because of the expense of long-term care.

For more information on financial planning strategies on a fixed income, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

 

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