Blog Posts

By Michael J. Searcy

Have you heard of loss aversion? In economics and decision theory, “loss aversion refers to people's tendency to strongly prefer avoiding losses to acquiring gains.”

Loss aversion may help explain why people are not saving enough for retirement – they may avoid saving today because it feels like they’re losing the ability to use that money for things they want now and don’t recognize the delayed gratification of using that money for a comfortable retirement in the future.

After 18 years in the National Football League, the Denver Broncos’ star quarterback, Peyton Manning, is calling it quits after a very successful career. We wish him well and hope that he’s made the preparations needed to enjoy a long, comfortable retirement. If he has, he’ll be in the minority. Research shows that an estimated 60% of retired NFL players go broke within five years of retirement; nearly 16% declare bankruptcy.

One of the most common questions that we get from clients nearing retirement is, “How much income am I going to need to be comfortable?” It’s an important question that gets right at the heart of the retirement puzzle.

Are You Mentally Prepared for Retirement? How to Thrive Before and After the Transition

Retirement is about much more than money. It’s also about finding a new path in life and a new identity as a retiree.

For most investors, retirement is their primary financial goal. As financial professionals, we help our clients chart a course to get them to retirement. We work together with our clients to answer financial questions like: When can I afford to retire? How much money will I need to live comfortably? Surveys show that many Americans are woefully unprepared for retirement and financial worries can make the retirement transition stressful. Fortunately, working with a professional can help ensure that you enter retirement with confidence in your financial future.

Do you have an old 401(k) sitting around from a previous job? If so, you have a few options to consider. You could cash out your account, but if you don’t put the cash back into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or other qualified account within 60 days, you’ll owe income taxes (and possibly penalties) on your withdrawal. If your current employer permits rollovers into its retirement plan, you may also be able to move your savings over to a new 401(k) and consolidate your investments.