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5 Things To Expect When You Retire

What To Expect When You're Retiring

Why wade through a bunch of information on what to expect upon retirement when you can have a basic primer at your fingertips in seconds? Learn what you need to know, such as health care expenses and more, to be prepared in dealing with retirement. Finish this article and be prepared to deal with retirement.

Most of us think that retirement is likely to be relatively inexpensive. After all, the house and car will probably be paid off, and the kids will most likely be gone. However, there are several expenses that you might not consider before it's too late. Here are five things to expect when you retire.

1Health Care Expenses

According to the data, the average 65-year-old couple will require $400,000 out of pocket to deal with medical expenses from retirement to age 92. While parts of Medicare are free, other parts are not. Parts B and D, which cover outpatient services and prescriptions, are not inexpensive. It can be $6,500 a year for a couple.

If you have a higher income, expect these premiums to be even higher. The cost isn't the same for everyone. Remember that long-term costs, like nursing homes, aren't covered either, regardless of income. Be sure to look at all of your health care and insurance options before retiring.

2Much Greater Spending

You might have your house paid off, but what are you going to do with all of that free time? When you're working, you don't have time to spend a lot of money. When you're retired, you might want to do things that you never had the time for. Going to the movies, playing golf, dining out, traveling, and other hobbies and entertainment aren't free.

It's important to think about what your life will be like during retirement. From this ideal vision, you should be able to develop a reasonable budget. Ask yourself if your financial assets are going to be able to support this lifestyle and what you can do now to plan it. If you're used to having a company car, cell-phone, or other perks, you're going to have to pay for these things yourself. The cost of former perks can be considerable.

3Social Security Taxes

Nearly every working person understands that they're paying social security. What you might not know, though, is that you're likely to be taxed again. This happens when you receive that money back in social security benefits.

You should be prepared. This is because the income threshold before the taxes kick in is quite low. It is about $16,000 for an individual.

4The Tax-Deferred Accounts

You don't have to pay taxes on the income that you put into your 401(k) or traditional IRA. Unfortunately, you will have to pay taxes on your withdrawals, and in addition to this, the withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income tax rates. This is probably more than the capital gains rate.

If you want to buy a $25,000 boat, you might have to withdraw $30,000+ from your retirement account to cover both the boat and the taxes. This is one of the reasons that Roth IRA is so attractive to those that qualify. With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax money, but your withdrawals are tax-free. This means that all the growth inside the account is tax-free also. Check with your tax professional to see if you qualify.

5Loss Of Income For The Surviving Spouse

At some point, one spouse is usually forced to survive without the benefits and income that came from the other spouse. The social security benefits for the surviving spouse will not completely replace the lost income. Be sure that your estate planning covers the situation of a surviving spouse.

Retirement has its own set of expenses. These must be taken into consideration. It's essential to plan for these expenses.

You should do this while there's still time to make the necessary adjustments to your retirement plan. Be prepared. So you can enjoy your retirement fully.



About Author

Jackie Wing

Jackie Wing is an Alaska native, who enjoys snowboarding more than is probably socially acceptable. She lives in Anchorage with her two dogs Reese and Peanut, or as she likes to call them "Thing 1" and "Thing 2.".