Louis Valdez of Thousand Oaks works in wealth management as a retirement financial specialist. In the following article, Louie Valdez provides invaluable insights and strategies for individuals seeking a secure and prosperous retirement.
On average, a person will work for 4 to 5 decades in their lifetime – that’s at least 13,000 days. Surely, after all those long work hours and extensive efforts, they deserve a happy retirement.
But how does one guarantee worry-free golden years?
Below are some key points for how individuals should manage their wealth to maximize their retirement.
Louie Valdez Explains Important Factors to Consider
Louis Valdez of Westlake Village explains that people retire at different ages. However, no matter how old a person is, they must already have enough finances secured – money that should last them a lifetime.
The rule of thumb may be to withdraw 4% of their money in investments, but there are still other factors that a retiree should consider.
Such as these:
Retirement Plan Options
Louis Valdez of Thousand Oaks says that before a person chooses to retire, they must weigh the pros and cons of each retirement plan – be it a 401(k), their employer’s retirement plan options, or setting up their retirement account.
But there are other plans available. Such as:
- Roth IRA
- Self-directed IRA
- Traditional IRA Solo 401(k)
- Simple IRA SEP IRA
But retirees must also factor in their age – to determine how many years they can reap the retirement plans’ rewards.
Age
Louis Valdez of Thousand Oaks says that it may be taboo to ponder how much time they have left on earth. But typically, most retirees are somewhere in their middle age, to a little over past it.
And if they’re not suffering from a disease, they can expect more decades to enjoy their retirement.
That said, the more years they spend on their savings, the more money they need to save up.
However, it still depends on how a retiree spends their money.
Lifestyle and Spending Habits
Before a person even retires, planning how they’ll spend their retirement is crucial.
Will they take on new hobbies?
Will they purchase a vacation home?
Will they start collecting vintage cars?
Will they go on a trip around the world?
These expenses may seem rewarding at the moment, as it’s a way of celebrating after decades of hard work, but they can hurt a retiree’s pocket in the future.
Even if the individual is unsure what they want to pursue post-retirement, it’s still essential to have enough money designated for hobbies, interests, and leisure.
Louis Valdez of Westlake Village says that fortunately, there are ways for people to keep their retirement money flowing – so they won’t keep spending all their savings.
Investment Portfolios
No matter how much a person saves retirement money, they’ll run out of it sooner or later.
To prevent this problem, a retiree can create an investment portfolio.
An investment portfolio helps visualize someone’s investments – as they can easily see where their money is going and how much they will receive in return.
Moreover, an investment portfolio can also help retirees see which type of investment is the most feasible for them – in terms of amount, returns, and the consistency of the cash flow.
Louis Valdez of Westlake Village notes that some of the contents of investment portfolios include:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cash equivalents
- Real estate investments
- Mutual funds
Once these are all indicated, a financial adviser can help a retiree manage their funds better – depending on their goal and the investment returns they wish to receive.
However, financial management won’t be beneficial if they pull money from the wrong accounts.
Prioritize Tax-Advantage Accounts
A person in their golden years shouldn’t worry about taxes as much as they did. Fortunately, regardless of whether an individual sought a tax-deferred or tax-exempt retirement plan, both are advantageous for a retiree’s future.
Most financial planners advise an individual to take advantage of these accounts upon retiring – to ensure that the retiree can maximize their investment plans without shelling out too much.
However, as successful as these investments are, these efforts should last for generations.
Where the Funds Will Go Afterward
Louie Valdez of Westlake Village says that a retiree must also consider where their hard work will go – and who will continue their legacy – after death. After all, investing is a business venture. And it can secure people’s livelihoods. Therefore, it’s best to hand it over to people capable of maintaining or expanding it.
Commonly, the surviving family members inherit the deceased individual’s assets. But if the person wants to disburse it to specific people, they must figure out who they prefer to fulfill their investment plans.
A lawyer isn’t typically needed to write a will. But if the retiree prefers assistance from one, they can also hire an attorney.
Conclusion
Louie Valdez of Westlake Village also notes that life after retirement is an exciting one – no more dreadful 9 to 5 work schedules and none of that 2-week vacation notice. But before hanging up the hat, an individual must secure their finances through proper management – to ensure an enjoyable retirement.
