Closing a Retirement Income Gap

Closing a Retirement Income Gap

Presented by Jared Daniel of Wealth Guardian Group

When you determine how much income you'll need in retirement, you may base your projection on the type of lifestyle you plan to have and when you want to retire. However, as you grow closer to retirement, you may discover that your income won't be enough to meet your needs. If you find yourself in this situation, you'll need to adopt a plan to bridge this projected income gap.

Delay retirement: 65 is just a number

One way of dealing with a projected income shortfall is to stay in the workforce longer than you had planned. This will allow you to continue supporting yourself with a salary rather than dipping into your retirement savings. Depending on your income, this could also increase your Social Security retirement benefit. You'll also be able to delay taking your Social Security benefit or distributions from retirement accounts.

At normal retirement age (which varies, depending on the year you were born), you will receive your full Social Security retirement benefit. You can elect to receive your Social Security retirement benefit as early as age 62, but if you begin receiving your benefit before your normal retirement age, your benefit will be reduced. Conversely, if you delay retirement, you can increase your Social Security benefit.

Remember, too, that income from a job may affect the amount of Social Security retirement benefit you receive if you are under normal retirement age. Your benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn over a certain earnings limit ($15,480 in 2014, $15,120 in 2013). But once you reach normal retirement age, you can earn as much as you want without affecting your Social Security retirement benefit.

Another advantage of delaying retirement is that you can continue to build tax-deferred (or in the case of Roth accounts, tax-free) funds in your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan. Keep in mind, though, that you may be required to start taking minimum distributions from your qualified retirement plan or traditional IRA once you reach age 70½, if you want to avoid harsh penalties.

And if you're covered by a pension plan at work, you could also consider retiring and then seeking employment elsewhere. This way you can receive a salary and your pension benefit at the same time. Some employers, to avoid losing talented employees this way, are beginning to offer "phased retirement" programs that allow you to receive all or part of your pension benefit while you're still working. Make sure you understand your pension plan options.

Spend less, save more

You may be able to deal with an income shortfall by adjusting your spending habits. If you're still years away from retirement, you may be able to get by with a few minor changes. However, if retirement is just around the corner, you may need to drastically change your spending and saving habits. Saving even a little money can really add up if you do it consistently and earn a reasonable rate of return. Make permanent changes to your spending habits and you'll find that your savings will last even longer. Start by preparing a budget to see where your money is going. Here are some suggested ways to stretch your retirement dollars:

·         Refinance your home mortgage if interest rates have dropped since you took the loan.

·         Reduce your housing expenses by moving to a less expensive home or apartment.

·         Sell one of your cars if you have two. When your remaining car needs to be replaced, consider buying a used one.

·         Access the equity in your home. Use the proceeds from a second mortgage or home equity line of credit to pay off higher-interest-rate debts.

·         Transfer credit card balances from higher-interest cards to a low- or no-interest card, and then cancel the old accounts.

·         Ask about insurance discounts and review your insurance needs (e.g., your need for life insurance may have lessened).

·         Reduce discretionary expenses such as lunches and dinners out.

Earmark the money you save for retirement and invest it immediately. If you can take advantage of an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-deferred retirement plan, you should do so. Funds invested in a tax-deferred account will generally grow more rapidly than funds invested in a non-tax-deferred account.

Reallocate your assets: consider investing more aggressively

Some people make the mistake of investing too conservatively to achieve their retirement goals. That's not surprising, because as you take on more risk, your potential for loss grows as well. But greater risk also generally entails greater reward. And with life expectancies rising and people retiring earlier, retirement funds need to last a long time.

That's why if you are facing a projected income shortfall, you should consider shifting some of your assets to investments that have the potential to substantially outpace inflation. The amount of investment dollars you should keep in growth-oriented investments depends on your time horizon (how long you have to save) and your tolerance for risk. In general, the longer you have until retirement, the more aggressive you can afford to be. Still, if you are at or near retirement, you may want to keep some of your funds in growth-oriented investments, even if you decide to keep the bulk of your funds in more conservative, fixed-income investments. Get advice from a financial professional if you need help deciding how your assets should be allocated.

And remember, no matter how you decide to allocate your money, rebalance your portfolio now and again. Your needs will change over time, and so should your investment strategy.

Accept reality: lower your standard of living

If your projected income shortfall is severe enough or if you're already close to retirement, you may realize that no matter what measures you take, you will not be able to afford the retirement lifestyle you've dreamed of. In other words, you will have to lower your expectations and accept a lower standard of living.

Fortunately, this may be easier to do than when you were younger. Although some expenses, like health care, generally increase in retirement, other expenses, like housing costs and automobile expenses, tend to decrease. And it's likely that your days of paying college bills and growing-family expenses are over.

Once you are within a few years of retirement, you can prepare a realistic budget that will help you manage your money in retirement. Think long term: Retirees frequently get into budget trouble in the early years of retirement, when they are adjusting to their new lifestyles. Remember that when you are retired, every day is Saturday, so it's easy to start overspending.

Jared Daniel may be reached at www.WealthGuardianGroup.com or our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURESBroadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.  Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials.  The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Insurance Contract Basics

Insurance Contract Basics

Presented by Jared Daniel of Wealth Guardian Group

There are as many different types of insurance contracts as there are types of insurance. The provisions in an auto insurance policy, for example, are different from the provisions in a long-term care insurance contract. In some ways, comparing insurance contracts is like comparing apples with oranges. Nevertheless, insurance policies all share certain common elements. Once you understand the basics of insurance contracts, you should be able to make some sense of your insurance policy--no matter what the type.

An insurance policy is a written contract between you and the insurance company

An insurance policy is a written agreement between you (the named insured) and the insurance company. Every insurance policy contains an insuring clause or agreement, which is a general statement of the promises the insurance company makes to the insured. In exchange for your payment of a premium and your observance of certain conditions stated in the policy, the insurance company agrees to pay you (and/or others) money in the event of a loss. In a sense, the risk of financial loss is transferred from you to the insurance company. Should a loss never occur, though, you'll be out some money in the form of premiums.

Policies are broken down into sections. Your policy should define all of its terms and describe the types of coverage, each party's rights and obligations, various exclusions from coverage (and any other limitations), and any optional types of coverage selected or amendments made to the standard contract.

An initial page will summarize your agreement

Typically, an insurance policy begins with a page that summarizes the agreement between you and your insurance company. This initial page--which could be called a Declarations Page, a policy specifications page, or a benefit summary page (depending on the type of insurance)--provides information about who is covered, what is covered, the effective dates of coverage, and the amount of the premium. The number of the policy will be listed, along with your name and address and your insurance agent's name and address. You'll also see other important information such as coverage limits. In addition, if you elect to purchase one or more endorsements to expand and/or restrict the coverage your policy offers, these will be identified on the initial page by name, form number, and date.

The provisions of the policy spell out the features and requirements of the contract, as well as the exclusions

Your insurance contract will contain several provisions. These provisions describe the features of the policy and the types of benefits you can expect. They also explain the requirements of the contract and the rights and duties of each party. Some of the provisions in an insurance contract may be required by the laws of your state and are designed to protect you. For example, if a grace period clause is required, you'll be allowed additional time (after the regular payment due date) to pay your premium.

Your policy will also contain a section for exclusions that deny or preclude coverage in specific instances. Here, various exclusions from coverage are listed and described. For example, a homeowners insurance policy will contain an exclusion from coverage for losses that result from war.

Options require you to make a choice about your coverage

If you had to elect any options when you applied for insurance, the insurance contract will also contain a section that explains the options. For example, if a life insurance policy has more than one dividend option, the contract requires you to choose what you would like the insurer to do with any dividends paid with respect to your policy. In an auto insurance policy, you'll find a section on optional coverage. This might involve purchasing additional bodily injury coverage to protect you from potential lawsuits if you seriously injure someone in an accident.

Riders provide additional coverage (for a price)

Typically, riders provide additional coverage above and beyond what is included in the basic insurance contract. Generally, you must pay an additional premium for such coverage. For example, an accidental death rider may be purchased and added to a basic life insurance contract. If the insured suffers an accidental death, the beneficiary would receive an additional benefit. And in a homeowners policy, you might want to purchase a higher amount of coverage to protect your diamond necklaces against theft, as the basic limits for jewelry coverage may be inadequate.

The insurance company may add an endorsement to an insurance policy at the time of issue or after issue to amend or change any provision of the standard contract, unless that is prohibited by the contract.

Make sure you understand your contract before you sign it

Because an insurance policy is a legal contract, you shouldn't sign it (or pay your premium) unless you understand all of its provisions. Your insurance agent can help you. Make sure he or she explains everything that you don't understand. It may also be wise to shop around for insurance and compare various policies and insurance companies.

Jared Daniel may be reached at www.WealthGuardianGroup.com or our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.  Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials.  The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Social Security Retirement Income: A Primer

Social Security Retirement Income: a Primer

Presented by Jared Daniel of Wealth Guardian Group

What role does Social Security play in your retirement income strategy?

As you near retirement, it's likely you'll have many questions about Social Security. How much will your retirement benefit be? When should you apply? Will earnings from a part-time job affect your benefit? Social Security has always been a major source of income for many retirees, but with fewer companies offering traditional pensions, Social Security is playing an even more important role in retirement income planning. Not only can Social Security help protect you against risks that retirees often face, including longevity risk (the risk of outliving your retirement income) and inflation risk (the risk that your income won't keep up with the rising cost of living), but it also offers built-in benefits for your family members and survivors.

When planning your retirement income strategy, you should be aware of three advantages that Social Security offers:

A steady stream of lifetime income

Social Security provides a steady source of retirement income that you can't outlive. Although you may not be able to rely on Social Security as the sole source of your retirement income, your benefit can serve as the foundation of your retirement income plan.

Annual inflation adjustments

Your Social Security benefit provides some protection against inflation risk. Your benefit is subject to automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that will increase the amount you receive by a certain percentage each year to help offset the effects of inflation.

Benefits for eligible family members and survivors

After you retire, certain members of your family may also be eligible for benefits based on your Social Security record, which may increase your household income. They may receive continuing income from survivor's benefits upon your death as well. Eligible family members may include your spouse, your minor children, and your dependent parents. The amount they receive will depend on your earnings and other factors.

How much will you receive?

Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on the number of years you've been working and the amount you've earned. When you become entitled to retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your primary insurance amount (PIA), upon which your retirement benefit will be based, using a formula that takes into account your 35 highest earnings years.

Your age at the time you begin receiving Social Security also affects your retirement benefit. If you were born in 1943 or later your full retirement age is 66 to 67, depending on your year of birth. Electing to receive benefits before your full retirement age (you can receive benefits as early as age 62) will result in a lower benefit than if you had waited until full retirement age to begin receiving Social Security. If you delay receiving benefits past your full retirement age, you can receive delayed retirement credits that will increase your benefit by a certain percentage for every month you wait, up until age 70.

Receiving benefits at full retirement age

At full retirement age, you will be eligible for full Social Security benefits (100 percent of your PIA), provided that you have worked in a job covered by Social Security and meet other eligibility requirements. Your full retirement age depends upon the year in which you were born.

If you were born in:	Your full retirement age is:
1943-1954	66
1955	66 and 2 months
1956	66 and 4 months
1957	66 and 6 months
1958	66 and 8 months
1959	66 and 10 months
1960 and later	67

Tip:     If you were born on January 1st of any year, the full retirement age for the previous year applies.

Receiving benefits earlier than full retirement age

The minimum age at which you can retire and receive Social Security retirement benefits is currently 62. At age 62, you will be eligible for reduced retirement benefits based on a percentage of your PIA, provided that you are fully insured. Your retirement benefit will be reduced by 5/9ths of 1 percent (or 0.55556 percent) for every month between your retirement date and normal retirement age, up to 36 months, then by 5/12ths of 1 percent thereafter. This reduction is permanent; when you reach full retirement age, you will not be eligible for a benefit increase. However, it may still make sense to receive benefits early, because you may receive benefits over a longer period of time.

Example(s):   Mimi decides to begin collecting her Social Security benefit at age 62, five years before her full retirement age of 67. As a result, she will receive 30 percent less per month than if she had waited until her full retirement age. However, she will receive 60 more benefit checks than if she had waited until full retirement age.

Receiving benefits later than full retirement age

You will permanently increase your retirement benefit for each month that you delay receiving Social Security retirement benefits past your full retirement age. Your benefit will increase by a predetermined percentage for each month you delay retirement up to the maximum age of 70. The following chart shows the relationship between the year you were born and the delayed retirement credit you will be eligible to receive if you decide to work past normal retirement age.

Year you were born	Monthly percentage	Yearly percentage
1937-1938	13/24 of 1 percent	6.5 percent
1939-1940	7/12 of 1 percent	7 percent
1941-1942	5/8 of 1 percent	7.5 percent
1943 or later	2/3 of 1 percent	8 percent

Example(s):   Robert, who was born in 1950, will receive a $1,000 monthly retirement benefit at age 66. He decides to delay collecting Social Security until age 70, four years after his full retirement age of 66. At age 70, his retirement benefit will be $1,320, which is 32 percent higher than it would be if he had collected benefits at his full retirement age.

Tip:     You can estimate your benefits under current law by using the benefit calculators available on the Social Security website. You can also sign up to view your online Social Security Statement there. Your statement contains a detailed record of your earnings, as well as estimates of retirement, survivor's, and disability benefits, along with other information about Social Security that will be very useful when planning for retirement.

When should you begin receiving Social Security benefits?

Should you begin receiving Social Security benefits early, or should you opt to wait until full retirement age or even longer? Obviously, if you need the money right away, your decision is clear cut. But otherwise, there's no ''right" time to begin receiving Social Security benefits; it depends on your personal circumstances, and there are many variables. Here are some questions that can help you make your decision.

Are you planning to work?

It may be advantageous to work as long as possible if you want to increase your Social Security retirement benefit because your PIA will be recalculated annually if you have had any new earnings that might result in a higher benefit. However, although you can work and still receive Social Security, if you're under full retirement age, wages you earn as an employee (or net earnings from self-employment income) may reduce your retirement benefit. If you're under full retirement age for the entire year, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn over the annual earnings limit ($15,480 in 2014). A higher earnings limit applies in the year you reach full retirement age, and the calculation is different, too--$1 in benefits will be withheld for every $3 you earn over $41,400 (in 2014).

If your earnings will be high enough to affect your Social Security benefit, you may want to consider waiting until full retirement age to begin receiving benefits, because once you reach full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want, and your benefit won't be affected.

Tip:     The benefit reduction is based on your annual earnings and is not permanent; your monthly benefit is reduced starting in January of the year following the year you had excess earnings and will be reduced until the excess earnings are used up. Additionally, if your monthly benefit is reduced in the short term due to your earnings, you'll receive a higher monthly benefit later. That's because the SSA recalculates your benefit when you reach full retirement age, and omits the months in which your benefit was reduced.

Will Social Security be around when you need it?

You've probably heard media reports about the worrisome financial condition of Social Security, but how heavily should you weigh this information when deciding when to begin receiving benefits? While it's very likely that some changes will be made to Social Security (e.g., payroll taxes may increase or benefits may be reduced by a certain percentage), there's no need to base your decision on this information alone. Although no one knows for certain what will happen, if you're within a few years of retirement, it's probable that you'll receive the benefits you've been expecting all along. If you're still a long way from retirement, it may be wise to consider various scenarios when planning for Social Security income, but keep in mind that there's been no proposal to eliminate Social Security.

How long will retirement last?

Retirees must make sure that they have enough income to last for a lifetime. But how many years will that be? You can never know for sure, but you can make an educated guess by using calculators or tables to calculate your life expectancy, then factoring in that information when deciding when to take your Social Security benefits. You'll also want to consider your current health and your family health history when deciding when to take your Social Security benefits. For example, if you have a serious health condition, you may decide to take benefits earlier. On the other hand, if you can reasonably expect to live well into your 80s or 90s, you may decide to delay receiving Social Security benefits so that you can increase your retirement benefit, and boost the odds that you'll have enough income for the years ahead.

Calculating your "break-even" age can help you compare the long-term financial consequences of starting benefits at one age versus another. Your break-even age is the age at which the total accumulated value of your retirement benefits taken at one age equals the value of your benefits taken at a second age. Although many factors can affect this number, you'll generally reach your break-even age about 12 years from your full retirement age if taxes and inflation aren't accounted for. For example, if you begin receiving benefits at age 62, and your full retirement age is 66, you will generally reach your break-even age at 78. This calculation may vary by one to three years, depending on what factors are used.

However, unless you're able to invest your benefits rather than use them for living expenses, your break-even age is probably not the most important part of the equation. For many people, what really counts is how much they'll receive each month, rather than how much they'll accumulate over many years.

How will your spouse be affected?

If you're married, you and your spouse should consider how Social Security will affect your joint retirement plan. Are you both eligible for benefits? How much will you each receive? What are your combined life expectancies and break-even ages? These variables can affect the decisions you make regarding your Social Security benefits.

For example, the age at which you begin receiving benefits may significantly affect the amount of lifetime income your spouse or surviving spouse may receive. If your spouse has never worked outside the home or in a job covered by Social Security, or has worked but doesn't qualify for a retirement benefit higher than yours based on his or her own work record, he or she may be able to receive a spousal retirement benefit based on your work record. At full retirement age, your spouse may be entitled to receive 50 percent of your full retirement benefit amount, and will generally be eligible for a survivor's benefit equal to 100 percent of your benefit upon your death. If you're the primary wage earner, it may make sense for you to delay receiving benefits, because the larger your benefit, the larger benefit your spouse may receive, both before and after your death. If your spouse's life expectancy is much longer than yours, this can be an especially important consideration.

However, your spouse can't file for spousal benefits based on your earnings record until you reach full retirement age and file for benefits. One alternative you might consider is to "file and suspend." You apply for Social Security benefits, then request to have your benefit payments suspended. Your spouse can then file for spousal benefits, and you can accrue delayed retirement credits (up until age 70).

What is the impact on your overall retirement income plan?

Any decisions you make regarding Social Security income should take into account other potential sources of retirement income, and your overall retirement income plan. For example, you may need to determine whether it's wise to take early Social Security benefits so that you can delay withdrawing funds from tax-advantaged investments (e.g., 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, or traditional IRAs), allowing them to continue to accumulate tax deferred. If you're eligible for pension benefits, you'll need to consider how Social Security impacts that income. For example, pension benefits from a job not covered by Social Security may be reduced (offset) by any Social Security income you receive.

Another major consideration is your tax situation. If the only income you had during the year was Social Security income, then your benefit generally won't be taxable. However, other income you receive during the same year (generally earned income or substantial investment income) may trigger taxation of part of your Social Security benefit. It's important to look at how other sources of income are taxed and how your overall tax liability might be affected when considering when to take your Social Security benefits.

Caution:         The rules surrounding taxation of Social Security benefits are complex. The IRS has a worksheet you can use to determine whether or not your Social Security benefits are taxable. You can find this worksheet and more information about the taxation of Social Security benefits in IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

How do you apply for Social Security benefits?

According to the SSA, you should apply for Social Security benefits approximately three months before your retirement date. No matter when you apply for Social Security, you'll be eligible for Medicare at age 65, so make sure you contact the SSA three months before you turn 65 even if you plan to retire later.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURESBroadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.  Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials.  The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Budgeting

Budgeting

Presented by Jared Daniel of Wealth Guardian Group

What is budgeting?

Budgeting is a process for tracking, planning, and controlling the inflow and outflow of income. It is a process that we all begin soon after we get our first spending money. Relying on our overloaded minds to manage such a complex process has many shortcomings. The solution is to analyze your current situation, determine your goals, and develop a written plan against which you'll measure your progress.

How does the budgeting process work?

The budgeting process begins with gathering the data that makes up your financial history. Next, you use this information to do a cash flow analysis. You will calculate your net cash flow, which tells you whether cash is coming in faster than it's going out, or vice versa. Then you will determine your net worth. Simply stated, this is the sum of everything you currently own less the sum of everything you currently owe. Having a snapshot of your present financial situation, you'll then define your financial objectives and create a spending plan to achieve them. Finally, you will periodically check your progress against the plan and make adjustments as needed.

Analyzing cash flow is little more than adding and subtracting

Add up your income, then your expenses, and subtract the latter from the former. The result is your net cash flow. If it is positive (hopefully), you're earning more than you're spending. If not, then budgeting is not really an optional process. You must do it to avoid losing more ground financially. To the extent that you can make cash flow strongly positive, you will be able to save for upcoming needs and investments.

Is net worth growing or declining?

Your net worth shouldn't be a mystery. To determine what it is, you simply add up the current value of your assets (the things you currently own), and then subtract the total of your liabilities (what you currently owe). The idea, if you haven't guessed it, is that your net worth should grow from year to year, barring unforeseen setbacks.

Know where you stand, turn to the future, and set your goals

You might have one or more major savings needs goals in mind, but now is the time to look at all your anticipated financial needs, including your cash reserve, and determine your goals. Knowing what all of your goals are enables you to create the best plan to achieve those objectives over the long term. While you may not be able to achieve all of your goals simultaneously, having a plan in place will help as you work toward your future goals.

Create a spending plan that fits your resources and objectives

Once you know where you stand financially and the goals you hope to achieve, you are in a position to design a plan that will move you expeditiously in that direction. You will know how aggressive you need to be in order to achieve the objectives you set, and therefore you can design a plan that fits both your resources and objectives.

Just as with a plan that falls short of delivering on your goals, a plan that is overly aggressive relative to your resources is likely to lead to budget frustration. Keeping goals aligned with objectives is a critical part of the process and essential to budgeting successfully.

Remember that it is a plan and that plans change as needed

Flexibility is always an important ingredient in the planning process. As life's circumstances change, as they inevitably will, you will need to adjust your spending plan accordingly. The important point is that the budgeting process keeps you abreast of how these changes are occurring and allows you to make changes as you find them appropriate to your needs and resources.

Budgeting can be a temporary or a permanent habit

It may be that your present financial situation calls for the short-term control that budgeting can provide. Alternatively, you may find that budgeting gives you a level of control over your finances that you'd prefer to maintain over the long term. If the latter is true, you should make it a lifelong habit.

Jared Daniel may be reached at www.WealthGuardianGroup.com or our Facebook page.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURESBroadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.  Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials.  The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.