Provided by American Financial Advisors, LLC

 

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.

 

Not Having a Strategy. Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get there – and if you’ve even arrived. Creating a strategy may increase your potential for success, both before and after retirement.

 

Making Frequent Trades. Chasing “hot” investments often leads to despair. Create an asset allocation strategy that is properly diversified to reflect your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon.  The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change.  Make adjustments based on changes in your personal situation.  Don’t trade solely based on today’s news or as a reaction to market ups and downs.  Volatility will always be with us.

 

Not Maximizing Tax-Deferred Savings. Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your workplace retirement plan may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions. Distributions from most employer-sponsored retirement plans are taxed as ordinary income. 

 

If taken before age 59½ however, you may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions.  

 

Recent legislation known as Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is currently under consideration. Although the SECURE Act has yet to clear the Senate, it saw broad, bipartisan support in the House of Representatives passing with a vote of 417-3. The Senate seems likely to approve the legislation, perhaps with subtle changes, and send it to the President for his signature. 

 

This legislation could make Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) a more attractive component of retirement strategies and create a path for more annuities to be offered in retirement plans. Annuities are one strategy that can help retirees better plan their retirement spending - ensuring they do not outlive their savings. 

 

However, it would also change the withdrawal rules on inherited “stretch IRAs,” which may impact retirement and estate strategies, nationwide.

 

Prioritizing College Funding over Retirement. Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t borrow for your retirement.

 

Overlooking Health Care Costs. Extended care may be an expense that can undermine your financial strategy for retirement if you don’t prepare for it.

 

Retiring with Too Much Debt. If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be especially harmful when you’re living in retirement. Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire.

 

Ignoring Your Health - It’s Not Only About Money. Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health. So, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active.

 

Not Adjusting Your Investment Approach Well Before Retirement. The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working. 

 

Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. Your investments - when sold - may be worth more or less than their original cost.  Asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk.  Asset allocation does not guarantee against investment loss and past performance does not guarantee future results. Having a diversified portfolio can help mitigate your risk.

 

 

 

 

Please call us at (770) 977-2434 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

  

_{This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.}

  

_Citations.

_{1 - theweek.com/articles/818267/good-bad-401k-rollovers [1/17/18]}