Retirement is a time to relax, pursue passions you may not have been able to explore in your working years and spend time with the people you love. A SmartAsset survey finds the average retirement age in Hawaii is 64 years, meaning baby boomers have, or will soon be, leaving the workforce in larger numbers.
Living on a fixed income can come with its share of challenges, and more than 54 percent of Americans haven’t saved enough for retirement, according to personal-finance resource GoBankingRates.com. Follow these tips to assess your current financial state and safeguard your financial future.
Revamp your budget
If you’re newly retired or considering retirement, take the opportunity to revise your budget and make it more relevant for your new lifestyle. Are your monthly income sources — Social Security, pension and retirement accounts — enough to cover your expenses?
If you’re healthy and enjoy getting out of the house, consider a part-time job doing something you enjoy to bring in some additional income.
Evaluate your expenses, especially recurring charges for subscriptions and services. If you’re not actively using them, cancel them. Put aside additional savings every month to cover gifts, travel and unforeseen emergencies. And don’t forget to take advantage of senior discounts at restaurants and businesses.
Avoid fraud and scams
Scammers are becoming savvier and often prey on kupuna who aren’t as familiar with email or text communications. Don’t be an easy target. AARP Fraud Watch Network provides scam alerts and prevention tips for seniors so you know what to look out for the next time you get a strange call or email.
Any unsolicited request for your Social Security number, bank account information or other personal information is a red flag, even from someone claiming to be from the IRS, Medicare or the Social Security Administration. These common scams can come over the phone, by email or even in a text. If you did not initiate the phone call, hang up and call the organization using a listed number.
If you’re not sure about a suspicious email, ask a trusted friend to take a look. Always be wary of requests to wire money. Wire transfers are notoriously popular with scammers because transactions are fast and difficult to reverse.
Plan for the future
There might come a time when you won’t be able to make your own financial decisions. Just as we complete advance health care directives to let our relatives know our health-related wishes, you should do the same for your finances.
Complete a Durable Power of Attorney to ensure your spouse, children or trusted loved one has the ability to act on your behalf should you become incapacitated. The person you appoint will only be able to access your funds for your benefit — to pay your mortgage, collect Social Security, file your taxes, etc. Without this your family might have to go through the court to appoint a guardian, which takes time and money.
Take the proper steps to look after your financial future and you’ll be able to live your golden years to the fullest.
