It's Never too Late to Save

Worried you’re behind on saving for retirement?

You’re not alone. Roughly 80% of Americans feel stressed about not having enough money to retire comfortably. For those aged 50 and older, their biggest stressor is the fear of outliving their savings.

If your stress about retirement savings is rising as the days tick by, take a breath. There’s still hope.

The IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is here to help get you back on track. By taking advantage of an IRA, you can rapidly make up ground if your savings are lagging. Let’s discuss a few strategies to consider.

1) Play catch up

Believe it or not, the federal government actually understands your predicament. To help you out, they’ve included a “catch up” provision for older Americans in Traditional and Roth IRAs (as well as 401(k) plans). This provision basically says, if you’re age 50 or older, you’re allowed to contribute an extra $1,000 each year to your IRA. With the new contribution amounts for 2019, your maximum total contribution to an IRA can now potentially be $7,000 instead of $6,000.

That additional $1,000 each year can surprisingly add up. Especially in a Roth IRA account, which allows you to grow your contributions and earnings tax-free (as long as you follow a few simple rules).

For example, if you started contributing an extra $1,000 annually in a Roth IRA account at age 50 with an average return of 8%, you’d have about $30,000 at age 65 – thanks to compounded interest. And as an extra bonus, Roth IRAs are generally tax-free!

2) Maximize your company-sponsored retirement plan

If you’re fortunate enough to work for an employer with a retirement plan – especially one that matches your contributions – plan to participate as fully as possible. It’s a great savings tool  that practically equates to extra cash in your account – for free.

In 2019, you’re allowed to deposit up to $25,000 into a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plans. That includes a $6,000 catch-up bonus for older workers.

3) Stay on track when switching jobs

Changing companies? If you have a 401(k) plan from your previous employer, make sure you take careful consideration when planning what to do with your savings as you move on. You may be able to do any of the following:

• Leave your funds intact in the old 401(k)
• Transfer your money to your new employer’s retirement plan
• Roll over your assets to a Traditional or Roth IRA

Taking any of these actions will help you avoid paying significant taxes and penalties caused by withdrawing money from your 401(k) before retirement. You’ll also allow your money to accumulate in a tax-friendly account.

4) Contribute to your IRA longer

While a Traditional IRA can be a smart choice for many individuals, you’re only allowed to funnel money into it until you’re age 70½.

If you’re behind on your savings – and planning to work past age 70 – a Roth IRA might be a better option because it doesn’t have a maximum age limit for contributions. You can continue to direct money into the account for as long as you want.

5) Turn back the clock

Didn’t put any money into an IRA in 2018? Or didn’t get a chance to contribute the maximum amount?

You have until April 15, 2019 to fund that IRA for 2018. Flowers may be blooming, and baseball season might have begun, but you can still designate contributions to an IRA for 2018 – even if it’s Spring 2019!

6) Shift your mindset

You’re not in your twenties or thirties anymore. Your retirement horizon, which used to be so far away, is disconcertingly close now. So, it’s time to be realistic – and make saving your top priority.

Get a hefty bonus at work? Receive a big tax refund? Inherit a lump sum of money? Sell an item online for a nice profit? Before you do anything with that newly found cash, think first about placing the money into an IRA or another tax-advantaged account for your retirement.

What’s your next move?

As you can see, there are simple, practical steps you can take to secure a comfortable retirement even if your savings aren’t where you want them to be. The important thing is to get things in motion right away.

And we can help. Have any questions about IRAs? Just contact us.