Planning for something that seems far off in the future or feels unattainable, like retirement, may seem like a daunting task. According to the National Retirement Planning Coalition, only 22 percent of baby boomers believe that they are adequately preparing financially for retirement, and 58 percent of generation x-ers haven’t even tried to calculate how much they need for retirement. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation reminds Floridians that having a comprehensive retirement plan is key to a successful and stress-free retirement. Below are tips to get you started:
Think about your retirement goals. Do you plan to travel extensively, live in a different city or plan to retire at a certain age? Thinking about what you want out of retirement will help you better understand how much money you will need.
Make a plan. After assessing your desired retirement goals and financial situation, create a savings strategy. Aim to increase your savings regularly, and periodically re-assess and potentially re-align your strategy as your goals, financial situation, and life changes. Online retirement calculators can be very helpful. Be sure to include healthcare costs in your retirement plan.
Protect yourself from fraud. Unfortunately, retirees are targets of scams. Know the red flags of common scams ensnaring retirees, like investment scams, reverse mortgage scams and identity theft. Be wary of unsolicited offers and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation offers Floridians a robust online Consumer Knowledge Center, where you can find more information on many financial topics, including tips on how to spot potential financial scams.
