Not Your Father's Retirement Plan

Advice that worked in past decades may no longer serve today's retirees. Here's a look at what has changed over the years that you'll need to account for today.

It isn’t a bad idea to talk to your parents or grandparents about retirement and what worked for them. You probably can learn something from their successes — and their mistakes.

But if you’re thinking about following the exact retirement routine they used — with the same portfolio mix, income-distribution plan and claiming strategy for Social Security — you may want to reconsider.

I often warn my clients that getting advice from someone who’s been retired for decades is like asking a friend who ate at a restaurant years ago to recommend what you should have for dinner there tonight. The chef and menu may have changed many times, and there may be other delicious dishes to try. You’d be better off consulting your server — someone who has inside information about what’s best now and who will benefit along with you if the recommendation is a good one.

In the same way, the world of financial and retirement planning is always evolving, and the tactics that worked 10, 20 or 30 years ago may not give you the best results today. A financial professional who has both experience and cutting-edge knowledge can guide you through those changes and help you reach your goals.

Here are eight things you’ll have to pay attention to as you move to and through retirement:

1. Life expectancy.

The average life expectancy for those reaching age 65 has increased nearly seven years (to 84.3 for men and 86.6 for women) since the Social Security program began paying monthly benefits in 1940. And about one out of every three 65-year-olds today will live past age 90. Your various income streams might have to last a lot longer than your grandfather’s did. And he likely had a pension to count on; many of today’s retirees do not.

2. Health care.

Just because we’re living longer doesn’t mean we’re living healthier. According to the Pew Research Center, 75% of U.S. adults 65 and older report living with one or more chronic medical conditions. The latest retiree health care cost survey from Fidelity Benefits Consulting estimated that a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2018 would need an average of $280,000 to cover medical expenses through retirement. That’s a 2% increase from the prior year’s estimate — and it doesn’t include long-term care costs. Your plan should include ways to stay active in retirement — and a backup for any costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.

3. Long-term care.

Health care bills are one of the top reasons people give when filing for bankruptcy, and long-term care needs can add to the overwhelming cost. Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey puts the current median annual cost of care anywhere from $18,720 for adult day health care to $100,375 for a private room in a nursing home, depending on the care required and where you live — and those costs are expected to keep rising. Your adviser can suggest insurance products and other ways to help plan for the worst.

4. Housing.

In 2008 and 2009, many pre-retirees learned the hard way what can happen if you put all your money into your home. Those who bought in early 2006 watched their equity disappear within a year or two as the housing market crashed. Some homeowners had time to recover, but in retirement you need a mix of assets that allow you to remain flexible, in case you decide to downsize, renovate or relocate.

5. Market conditions.

Thanks to technology and our global economy, the market changes constantly, and we’ve experienced an incredible amount of volatility in recent history. If the market falls just before or early in your retirement, your entire plan could be at risk. Remember, if you lose 50% of your portfolio, you’ll need to earn 100% to get back to even. In retirement, you’re also withdrawing money and you lose recovery time. It’s important to regularly evaluate market conditions and income-distribution strategies with your financial professional.

6. Social Security.

While pundits and politicians debate the future of Social Security, it’s up to you to determine when you should claim your benefits. While most retirees still file before their full retirement age, many advise delaying payments as long as possible to maximize your benefits. Your adviser can help you decide what’s right for your plan. (The nice folks at your local Social Security office cannot.) Factors to consider include your family’s medical history and your own, whether you have a pension or other guaranteed sources of income, and if you think you’ll want or need the money while you’re younger and more active.

7. Taxes.

If, like many modern-day pre-retirees, you’ve been socking all your money away in a tax-deferred investment account, you could be looking at a problem in retirement. Although most people expect to be in a lower tax bracket when they stop working, that isn’t always the case. Even if you’re usually in a lower bracket, if you need extra funds for a vacation or some other major purchase, the money you withdraw could temporarily bump you to a higher rate. You’ll also have required minimum distributions to deal with when you turn 70½. If tax rates go up in the future, the problem will only get worse. You may want to consider diversifying your savings into accounts (such as a Roth IRA) that are taxed in different ways.

8. Inflation.

Inflation means the market is growing and the economy is doing well. It also puts your purchasing power at risk. It’s crucial to plan for how inflation could affect your 20- to 30-year retirement. The options for growing your money safely keep changing, so you’ll need up-to-date advice. What worked for a different generation may not be the most lucrative or efficient way to save or invest today. Like the menu at the restaurant that changes over time, the strategies and products available to you may not even have been conceived of back when your dad or granddad was retiring. Your qualified financial professional can go over your options, see which ones fit your needs and help design a custom — and current — retirement plan.

Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.

This article was originally published on Kiplinger.com