When should I start saving for Retirement?
We hear this question often. The simple answer is, start saving as early as possible. The sooner the better. Here’s an example for illustration purposes. Let’s say the plan you and your agent set up calls for you to accumulate a certain amount in cash value inside your Index Universal Life Policy to allow you to have a healthy tax free retirement income. If you start this at age 20, you will need to spend much less per month than if you start it at 50. Here’s the illustration:
Retiring at 65, Accumulation target $1 Million Dollars at an average 8% interest compounded monthly.
Starting Age 20 – $192/month
Starting Age 30 – $433/month
Starting Age 40 – $1050/month
Starting Age 50 – $2917/month
So let me ask you this question…….what’s easier to come up with….$192/month or $2,917/month?
This doesn’t mean on your 10th birthday open a Roth IRA and deposit your $5 allowance in. But by the time you’re in your early 20’s or even before then (16, 17, 18) you should know how you’re going to start saving money for your future. Are you going to go Pre-Tax or After-Tax? What does that even mean? As a young person myself I understand. Finances can be extremely confusing. However, it’s one of the most important lessons you will ever learn. Yes, even more, important that school. These days school doesn’t teach you much of anything in terms of finances. That is unless you pay for a class specifically designed to help you manage your finances.
Pre-Tax vs After-Tax
There are several ways to save for retirement. You can do a Roth IRA, a 401K, stuff money under your mattress, or even play the stock market and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of ways to build up your wealth.
Pre-Tax
Pre-Tax accounts are those accounts that let you defer paying taxes until you pull the money out for retirement. These accounts include IRAs, 401Ks, 403Bs, and even Pension Funds.
After-Tax
After-Tax is when your bank sends a 1099 form each year. This form contains all the interest accrued for the year. You are required to report this income on taxes each year and pay taxes on them. “After-tax dollars can be invested in just about anything: CD’s, savings accounts, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, annuities, and much more.” states The Balance.
Where Should I invest?
Investing can be complicated, however its a very necessary step for your future financial growth. Choosing the right investment plan is paramount. If you mess this up you could mess up your entire future and doom yourself to work forever. No pressure. But in all seriousness, make sure you have the right kind of investment plan. Never put your eggs in the same basket. Financial markets shift. That’s just the way of the world. So be careful.