Although being laid off later in life might be financially devastating, you can take steps to mitigate the blow.
Many individuals are currently out of work, and some might even be nearing retirement age. It is possible to safeguard your retirement savings in the event of a job loss just before retirement.
Examine and Modify Your Spending Plan.
Know exactly where your monthly dollars are going. After experiencing a loss of income, one of the first things you should do is evaluate your financial situation. Put pen to paper and tally up your monthly outlays. Figure out what you need to pay first, such as your mortgage, car payments, and medical bills. Is there any room for reduction? You don’t need cable or any other streaming subscription anymore, and you’ll need to cut back on some of your spendings with less money.
Depending on your financial situation, you may have to put off retirement if you are close to retirement and suffer a job loss. Because of the problem’s difficulty, this is a perfect moment to consult a financial planner about your options.
Check How Much You Have Saved.
Now is a great moment to take stock of your savings. If you were a responsible saver before you lost your work, you should have enough money to cover your immediate financial needs for some time. Check your finances and see how long you can get by on what you have. Can you live off your savings if you lose your job and don’t get paid for six months?
You should know how much you have saved for retirement between employer-sponsored plans and any other plans you may have.
Convert your 401(k) to an individual retirement account. Thanks to the abundance of affordable opportunities, investing doesn’t have to break the bank. You can avoid income taxes by transferring your 401(k) to a regular IRA. Alternatively, you can convert your 401(k) contributions into a Roth IRA and pay income taxes now to withdraw your funds tax-free in retirement.
To add to the benefits, this will assist your money to grow tax-free for a more extended period. By consolidating your finances into an individual retirement account (conventional or Roth), you can see your retirement funds in one spot.
Look into Your Social Security Choices.
Can you receive your Social Security benefits? The Social Security Administration sets the minimum age for receiving benefits at 62. The full retirement age, at which point a person is eligible to receive 100% of their benefits, is 67 for those born in 1960 or after. When you start receiving Social Security payments at age 62, the amount you receive each month will be less than it would be if you waited until you were older. You can increase your benefits by 8% yearly up to age 70 if you wait to start drawing them after age 67.
If you need the money now, claiming Social Security early can be an intelligent alternative, even though I usually advise waiting until full retirement age.
Think ahead.
We need to be prepared for any financial emergency, whether it’s the loss of a job or some other event. The best strategy to shield your retirement savings from potential harm and keep your retirement on track is to plan for that possibility.
Also, remember that joblessness is typically only a brief setback. It’s difficult now, but things may settle down, and you’ll be able to get back to making a steady paycheck again. Get in touch with a financial advisor to assist you in creating a strategy that works for your unique situation.