Your retirement income - how much is enough?
Posted Feb 5, 2010 By EMC News
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Tweet ThisEMC Lifestyle - Today's retirees have a lot to look forward to. They are generally healthier, more active and engaged with everything their new life has to offer, and living longer. But all of that good news can also be the cause of some concern: Is it possible you will outlive your retirement savings?
Whether you're already retired or soon to be retired, worrying about how far your retirement savings will take you can get in the way of moving forward and enjoying life - so let's try to put that worry to rest with a six step plan for determining your retirement income longevity.
Step 1 - Profile yourself. The level and frequency of income you will need (and/or the withdrawal rate from your investments held within Registered Retirement Savings Plans and other income-producing investments) depends on a number of factors:
Your investment profile - for example, if you are a conservative investor, you would expect a lower return than a more aggressive investor, and therefore your withdrawals should be lower.
Your years in retirement - your retirement could span 40 years and, generally, a longer duration requires a more prudent withdrawal strategy.
Your income requirements - will you need to draw on investment income every month or can your defer or decrease income to offset periodic declines in portfolio value?
Sept 2 - Assess your income from other sources. Your retirement income will derive from sources other than your personal retirement savings such as the Canada Pension Plan/Québec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and company pension plans. Add them all up.
Step 3 - Assess your expenses. Add up your expected expenses - both essential and discretionary.
Step 4 - Assess the gap. Calculate the gap between your income from all sources outside your personal retirement savings and your expenses.
Sept 5 - Assess your withdrawal requirements. Determine the amount you need to withdraw from your personal retirement savings/investments to bridge the gap between your income from 'other' sources and your expenses.
Step 6 - Make adjustments. If your expected withdrawal rate is not sustainable, based on the projected returns from your current savings and investments, you will need to re-evaluate your registered and non-registered portfolio with the aim of improving returns - or you may need to reduce the scope of your retirement plans.
It's never too late to ease your retirement income worries.
Your professional advisor can help provide the strategies and solutions that will allow you to enjoy your retirement to the fullest.
This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec - a Financial Services Firm), presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact a financial advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.
