By Brian Bloxom, ChFEBCSM
The clock is always ticking, and so is the cost of putting off financial planning. While it may be tempting to push it to the bottom of your to-do list, the reality is that every moment you delay, your financial future pays the price. From missed opportunities to mounting financial stress, the consequences of neglecting financial planning can have an impact on your present and future well-being. Today let’s explore 5 reasons that explain the ways that postponing financial planning can come at a high price—and the true cost of putting it off.
1. You’re Probably Not Saving As Much As You Should
The first reason you shouldn’t put off financial planning is that you’re probably not saving as much as you should. That’s not to say that the savings you do have shouldn’t be celebrated. But no matter the amount you have, you need to be sure it will be enough.
If you plan to retire in your mid-60s, your retirement savings may need to carry you through 30-plus years. Not to mention rising inflation that will decrease the value of your savings over time and the additional expenses you will likely encounter along the way. A study by the Center for Retirement Research estimated that the median retirement savings of Americans ages 55-64 is $120,000, yet the average retirement cost is nearly $46,000 per year! At that rate, a savings of $120,000 will only last 3-4 years.
A sound strategy to avoid running out of money in retirement is to work with a financial professional to understand what your savings can handle. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot use a multiple of your annual income to determine how much to save. This is why it’s so crucial to plan ahead. The sooner you understand your need, the more options you will have and the easier your goals will be to accomplish.
2. Healthcare Costs Are on the Rise
If you’ve ever held a hefty medical bill in your hand, you aren’t alone. Healthcare costs in America are among the highest in the world. And as you age, you will likely require more healthcare services. According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, the average couple at age 65 will need about $300,000 saved to cover healthcare costs in retirement. Most people don’t even have that much in their retirement accounts to live on, let alone cover medical costs.
Given the events of the past two years and continuing inflation, it’s more important than ever to start preparing for the ever-increasing cost of care. The longer you wait, the less options you’ll have. Working with an experienced professional can help you evaluate your options and build a long-term plan for healthcare.
3. Tax Strategies Take Multiple Years to Implement
Another reason not to put off financial planning is that if you don’t start early, you’ll miss out on several tax strategies that take years to implement, including:
Tax-Advantaged Retirement Savings
If you’re in a high tax bracket, being able to save for retirement with pre-tax dollars is a great advantage because pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income and ultimately reduce the amount of taxes you owe. This strategy could save you thousands of dollars in taxes each year. The earlier you start, the more you’ll save over the course of your career.
Roth Conversions
Roth conversions help to increase your retirement savings and decrease your long-term tax liability by transferring funds from a pre-tax retirement vehicle (traditional IRA) to an after-tax account (Roth IRA). This allows your money to grow tax-free for as long as you’d like, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) are avoided as well.
Withdrawal Strategies
When it comes to withdrawing from your retirement accounts, how you take your distributions can make all the difference. Each retirement asset (employer-sponsored accounts, Social Security, traditional IRAs, etc.) has different tax characteristics. Creating a withdrawal strategy can help lower your tax burden by structuring withdrawals from each income source in a tax-efficient way.
To properly implement these strategies and more, a long-term understanding of your full financial picture is required. Putting off financial planning can leave you stuck with a huge tax bill that could have been avoided.
4. Take Advantage of Compound Interest
Just as saving early allows you to take advantage of massive tax savings over time, there is a compound effect that occurs with the money that is invested as well. The money contributed to your retirement account each year can grow exponentially over time, but the key part of that equation is time.
A single penny that doubles every day for a month may not seem like much on the surface, especially when compared to $1 million up front. But by the time the 30th day rolls around, you will have over $5 million in pennies. This same concept can be applied to your retirement account, but because retirement investments are at the mercy of the highs and lows of the stock market, it will take more than 30 days to see that kind of growth.
If you wait to invest, you may be missing out on growth year after year, and the resulting loss of earnings can be substantial. Not to mention the potential for loss when you try to invest yourself without the proper advice and guidance of a professional. We’ve found that many clients are often invested too conservatively and miss out on the opportunity for significant growth in even just a slightly riskier portfolio.
5. Financial Planning Can Alleviate Stress
Do you feel 100% confident about the myriad of financial choices you make day in and day out? Have you encountered more complexity as your assets have grown? Partnering with a financial professional can help alleviate the stress and anxiety that comes from trying to figure out your finances.
Think about all the time you spend worrying over finances and whether you are saving enough money. Are those thoughts preventing you from making great memories and actually living your life? For many of our clients, the answer is yes. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Financial planning can help alleviate the stress that comes from not knowing where you stand or how to achieve your goals. It can provide clarity by defining a path from point A to point B and allowing you to get the most out of your life along the way.
Today Is the Day to Start
Whether you dream of owning a home, planning the perfect wedding, enjoying a comfortable retirement, or leaving a legacy for your children, starting now is key. Partnering with a professional can support you down your path to financial success.
At Sentinel Wealth Partners, we simplify personal investment strategies with our ready-made, risk-managed portfolios. Gain confidence in your financial future and reclaim the life you love. Take the first step today by reaching out to us today by calling our office at 703-832-0164, sending an email to [email protected], or using our online calendar.
About Brian
Brian Bloxom is an Independent Financial Advisor, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits ConsultantSM (ChFEBCSM) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, CRPC® professional with 25 years of experience in financial advising. He founded Sentinel Wealth Partners to serve retirees, individuals approaching retirement, and individuals managing complex retirement plans such as company plans or federal benefits plans. His expertise and dedication to helping his clients achieve their goals make him a trusted resource that will help you feel confident in your customized retirement plan. Brian’s mission is to be available to his clients—all the time. He’s here to solve your problems, relieve your anxiety, and give you optimism for retirement. Because ultimately, your retirement should be about well-deserved enjoyment, and not about stress or anxiety. When he’s not working, you can find Brian spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Spencer and Preston. He enjoys coaching soccer, serving in his community, golfing, and relaxing at his vacation home at Lake Anna, VA. To learn more about Brian, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Disclosure
“Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Sentinel Wealth Partners and Cambridge are not affiliated. Sentinel Wealth Partners is not engaged in the securities business. Cambridge does not offer tax or legal advice.”