5 pitfalls that put your retirement plans at risk

Imagine the scene; you’ve spent your life living frugally, saving efficiently and investing wisely. You enter your well-earned retirement financially secure and excited for the years ahead. The future could pan out in one of two ways; the first could lead to continued security and the financial freedom to enjoy your retirement as planned; the second might lead to the unfortunate disappearance of that security and the resulting stress that would involve.

The sad truth is that the things that lead people down the second path are usually easily avoidable; it’s rarely investment market declines which are the cause of a failed retirement strategy. Here are the five most common pitfalls that you can avoid through careful planning.

1. Helping too much

We all have a natural desire to help our loved ones, but helping too much can lead to harming our own plans. It’s all too common for people to dip into their retirement funds to give money to their children, grandchildren and other relatives. There’s nothing wrong with lending a hand or giving gifts, but you have to know what you can afford and stick to your limits. Don’t be afraid to admit you can’t help.

2. Buying a second home

Having your own little getaway or spending your winters in the sun may seem like a fantastic prospect, but it’s important to be realistic. A huge portion of your retirement capital can be tied up in owning a second home, and there are often unexpected costs involved. In the past you could count on property values to appreciate, but that isn’t true of many areas now. If you want a second home in retirement, make sure you have a substantial financial cushion.

3. Unmanageable debt

Debt can sometimes be considered a financial management strategy rather than something to steer clear of in retirement. Some financial advisers may recommend investing cash to earn a higher return than the interest rate of the debt, instead of paying off the debt altogether. It does, however, come with fixed expenses and if those expenses combine with unexpected expenditures and begin to exceed your fixed income, problems can arise. Our opinion is that being debt free during retirement where possible will help avoid financial uncertainty. Investing for higher return puts your capital at risk and the value can fluctuate. You are not guaranteed to make a profit.

4. New business ventures

A lot of retirees choose to continue working and producing income in some way. Many may decide to start new businesses. If this is something you’re considering, be careful and separate most of your retirement assets from the business. Only risk capital that you don’t need to sustain your standard of living as a failing business can erode your nest egg quickly.

5. Absence of a spending plan

One of the easiest mistakes to make is not planning your spending. A lot of retirees don’t know how much money is safe for them to spend in the early years and still ensure they have enough capital to last into their later years. Surveys suggest that people believe they can spend 7% or more of their savings each year safely, however, financial planners and economists say the spending limit is closer to 4%.

Everyone’s optimal spending plan will vary and, ideally, you should revisit your estimates each year to make adjustments. If you have any questions around this topic, please feel free to get in touch with us directly.