Today’s Prep:
Are you wondering how to pay for a home renovation in retirement? Or, are you concerned about the market volatility with retirement a few years away? Eric answers three questions from the mailbag all related to making wise decisions regarding money in retirement.
Equipping Points:
Should you move money into a safer place if you plan to retire soon? How do you protect pension benefits from a former spouse? When it comes to retirement planning, sometimes a situation comes up that has you asking for more information. We answer three questions from the mailbag in this episode of the Retirement Ready podcast.
Annie in Johnston writes in with a question about wanting to put in a screened in porch on her home. Should she pay for it by taking money out of her IRA or by getting a home equity loan? Assuming that Annie is retired, Eric says it can be difficult to get a home equity loan. In retirement, taking money out of the IRA may be the way to go. Ultimately, you’ll want to have a strategic plan that includes a tax analysis before you take money out.
Randall in Clive is considering his retirement timeline, especially in light of the current market fluctuations. He wants to know if it’s worth moving his money to cash now, knowing he plans to retire in the next few years. Eric says it’s important to consider liquidity, safety, and growth opportunity. While it’s helpful to have money in a safe place in retirement, you’ll still want to make sure to get growth opportunity in order to outpace inflation.
Finally, Tess in Ames will receive a portion of her ex-husband’s pension as long as he is alive. Should she take out a life insurance policy in case he passes on before her, resulting in a major loss of income? Eric says some of this depends on how it is set up with the company and may be worth a conversation with HR. A life insurance policy may require cooperation from the ex-husband, but could be a good plan if he is willing.
Listen to the full episode or click on the timestamps below to hear this week’s questions from the mailbag.
0:47 – Mailbag: Should I pay for home renovations from my IRA or with a home equity loan?
3:10 – Mailbag: If planning to retire in the next few years, should I move my retirement savings to cash and wait until the market volatility blows over?
7:32 – Mailbag: What happens to my pension benefit if my ex-husband dies?
Related Resources:
Retirement Decisions: More Than Just Investments
Retiring Early: Is It Possible and Is It Right For You?
Today’s Takeaway:
[spp-tweet tweet= “One of the biggest holes I see in most people’s plans is the economic impact of losing a spouse. What happens if something happens to one of you–can the plan still work and can the surviving spouse maintain that standard of living? –Eric Peterson“]
Subscribe To The Podcast:
Apple Podcasts - Google Podcasts - Spotify - Stitcher - iHeartRadio - TuneIn
Check out some other recent episodes
The Use Of Technology In Financial Planning
As technology keeps advancing, it’s made our lives easier in so many ways. Tasks that used to need outside help can now be done on our own with just a few clicks. This shift has also brought more accessible online financial tools, but how accurate and helpful are they really?
Read More
Retirement Planning Conversations With Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker is one of the great writers of the 20th century. Her wit and prose have been appreciated by readers for generations. But are there any lessons we can learn when it comes to finance with some of Parker’s most well-known quotes?
Read More
Mailbag: Moving To A State With Income Tax And More
In this episode, Eric is answering your questions! We’ll cover a range of topics today, including key considerations for income taxes when moving to a new state, how to initiate financial conversations with parents or grandparents, and whether using a life insurance policy to save for a college fund is a wise choice.
Read More
What Is Lazy Money?
What is lazy money and why do you want to not have too much of it in your retirement portfolio? Simply put, lazy money is money that isn’t growing as much as it could be. Having your money grow and work for you is a key part of building a solid portfolio, so Eric breaks down some strategies to help get the most out of your money in this episode.
Read More
Retirement Planning Today Is Harder Than It Used To Be
Retirement planning simply isn’t the same as it used to be. From changes in life expectancy, the lack of pensions, and getting caught in the sandwich generation, there’s a lot to keep in mind when putting together your financial plan. Instead of taking advice from others who may have retired in a different era, it’s important to understand what strategy is right for you.
Read More
Social Security Variables That Impact Your Claiming Strategy
After so many years of paying into Social Security, you might feel ready to reap the benefits. But before you get too eager, it’s best to have a thorough understanding of the different variables and how to best leverage them.
Read More
Retirement Real Estate Decisions: Downsizing, Snowbirding, and More
One of the key discussions you may have in retirement is what to do about the house. Should you downsize your home? Pay it off early? Buy a vacation home and become a snow bird? Eric emphasizes the importance of considering not just the financial implications but also the lifestyle changes each of these decisions entail. Weighing out the pros and cons of each decision can highlight what is right for you (which isn’t always the same as what your neighbor is doing).
Read More
Healthcare in Retirement
One major (yet often overlooked!) expense in retirement is healthcare. Especially if you are retiring early, healthcare can be a huge expense as you bridge the gap between your working years and when eligible for Medicare. Not only will you have an increased monthly cost, but you may need to budget for additional medical costs as time goes on or even long-term care needs.
Read More
Family Matters When It Comes to Finances
Today we talk about what happens in a family, particularly when someone has passed away and the financial impact that can have.
Read More
Water Wheels and Retirement Planning
Have you ever wondered how a water wheel can relate to your retirement planning? It might seem like an odd comparison, but in today’s podcast, Eric breaks down this fascinating analogy and its significance in maintaining a stable financial future.
Read More