Six Typical Retirement Myths to Avoid

Skip West
3 min readJan 18, 2023

There are numerous popular myths regarding the topic you’ll want to avoid, regardless of whether you’re just beginning to plan for retirement or have been working towards your dream for years. No matter what your circumstances are, there are a few things you can do to make sure your financial future is secure and that you may live the retirement lifestyle you’ve always desired.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that you will need more than your Social Security income if you want to retire comfortably. An average retiree needs $8,000 per month once they quit working. However, some people could require more than this, and others can get by on just 50% of their salary.

The best course of action is to see a financial planner determine how much you will require in your unique circumstance. These experts can assist you with goal-setting, risk assessment, and retirement budgeting.

Social Security taxes are levied against your income by the federal government. This tax is taken out of your salary regularly. After that, it is invested in certain U.S. Treasury bonds, which have a higher return than other publicly listed government debt.

An effective retirement tool is a 401(k) plan. It enables pre-tax deposits into your savings account, which grow tax-deferred. Before investing your money, you need to be familiar with the 401(k) plan’s regulations. You must also be aware of the 401(k) plan’s expenses as well as any fees that may be related to the 401(k) (k).

Most 401(k) plans have extremely severe withdrawal restrictions. For instance, if you take a withdrawal before the age of 59, you might have to pay a 10% penalty. The minimum age at which you must begin making Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has also been raised from 70 to 72 by the IRS.

401(k) programs frequently charge significant fees. A recent Morningstar study revealed that the typical cost imposed by a 401(k) plan ranged from 0.5% to 2% of the overall plan assets.

You shouldn’t rely solely on a workplace pension for your funds if you’re making retirement plans. You must have your funds set away in a location where you may benefit from the tax advantages and the flexibility of your savings.

Additionally, it would help if you secured your retirement assets. You should monitor your pension plan on a regular basis, and if any of your account details change, you should get in touch with your plan administrator.

If you so choose, you should be allowed to get your pension in a lump sum. Your age, the length of your employment, and your income all factor into the lump sum payment you will receive. You might discover that investing in a lump sum is more advantageous while you are younger.

Planning for your retirement should include lifestyle reduction. It may lower your costs and enable you to contribute more to your retirement. A smaller mortgage payment, less upkeep, and cleaning, and the opportunity to tidy up are just a few advantages of downsizing.

Understanding what you’re getting into before you commit is crucial because deciding to downsize your lifestyle can be an important financial choice. This will make it easier for you to stick to your plan. There are steps you can take to simplify the process, whether you’re thinking about downsizing your home or moving to a retirement community.

Making the most of your move can be ensured by having a written plan for how you’ll reduce. You can prevent clutter from returning if you work with experts to assist you in the process.

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Skip West

Skip West was birthed in Greenville, South Carolina, but he relocated to Arkansas as an adult.