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Category: Financial Planning

8 Mistakes that Can Upend Your Retirement

Retirement

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.

  1. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get there—and if you’ve even arrived. Creating a strategy may increase your potential for success, both before and after retirement.
  2. Frequent Trading: Chasing “hot” investments often leads to despair. Create an asset allocation strategy that is properly diversified to reflect your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon; then make adjustments based on changes in your personal situation, not due to market ups and downs.1
  3. Not Maximizing Tax-Deferred Savings: Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your employer’s 401(k) may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions.2
  4. Prioritizing College Funding over Retirement: Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t for your retirement.
  5. Overlooking Healthcare Costs: Extended care may be an expense that can undermine your financial strategy for retirement if you don’t prepare for it.
  6. Not Adjusting Your Investment Approach Well Before Retirement: The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working. Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed.3
  7. Retiring with Too Much Debt: If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be deadly when you’re living in retirement. Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire.
  8. It’s Not Only About Money: Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health, so maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active.

1. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Asset allocation and diversification are approaches to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee against investment loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
2. Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plan in the year you turn 72. Withdrawals from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.”
3. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation does not guarantee against investment loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with CapSouth Wealth Management. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2020 FMG Suite.

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

Is Paying Off a Low-Interest Mortgage a Good Idea?

For many families, a home loan constitutes a significant portion of their household debt. As a result, some people choose to reduce this debt as much as possible before entering retirement. In fact, nearly one in three retirees have mortgage debt, and 17% of those paying off debt say that their mortgage is a top financial priority.[1]

But not all debt is equal. Interest rates have been historically low in recent years, so depending on your rate, your mortgage may be the cheapest form of debt you hold.[2] As such, using your extra money in different ways could make sense. Because everyone’s financial situation is different, many factors can affect choosing whether to pay off your mortgage.

As you assess your own mortgage, here are 5 common questions to consider:

1. Have you maxed out contributions to tax-advantaged accounts?

Preparing to have the income you need in retirement is important – yet, only 46% of retirees believe they have enough money.[3] If you and your financial representative feel comfortable with your retirement savings, you may be able to devote income to extra mortgage payments. However, the final years before retirement are your last opportunity to boost your contributions. If you still have room to save, you may want to bypass paying off your mortgage and put those additional funds into tax-advantaged accounts.

2. Will paying down the mortgage affect your taxes?

If you itemize your taxes, then your mortgage interest payments may be deductible. Once you stop making mortgage payments, you can no longer deduct that interest. Further, choosing to pay off your mortgage, either before or after you retire, also brings a different set of tax strategies to consider. If you can still benefit from deducting interest on your taxes, then you may want to continue doing so. Keep in mind that it’s important to view your financial situation from a complete perspective before making any tax decisions.[4]

3. Do you have adequate cash reserves?

Emergency savings are critical for an effective, long-term financial strategy. Unexpected life events, like unemployment, a sudden illness, or home repair, can strain household finances. To adequately prepare, you should aim to have at least 3 to 6 months of cash reserves on hand.[5] By doing so, you’ll be better able to cover major expenses without having to liquidate investments or go into debt. If you do not already have an emergency reserve – or need to set aside more money – consider boosting your savings before paying down your mortgage.

4. Do you have other debt?

People in the U.S. are carrying lots of debt, which can threaten their financial strategy. In fact, the average person with debt holds at least $38,000 (excluding mortgages), and 45% of retirees carry non-mortgage debt.[6] If you find yourself in a similar financial situation, you may want to put extra money toward other debt. Further, if any of those liabilities have interest rates higher than your mortgage, then you’ll keep more money in the long run by paying down that debt today.

5. Will paying off your mortgage bring happiness?

Most financial decisions have emotional components, which is why understanding your long-term goals is important when making a strategy. For some people, knowing that they own their home, free and clear, outweighs other financial considerations. If being able to pay off your mortgage early aligns with your financial goals, it may be the best decision for you.

The Takeaway

Choosing to pay off a mortgage requires carefully looking at your financial life and prioritizing which strategies make sense. With careful attention to your unique needs, you can make sound decisions that support your long-term goals. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this topic further, contact a CapSouth advisor at 800.929.1001 or visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com  

Footnotes, disclosures, and sources:

As part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, mortgage interest deductibility is limited to mortgages up to $750,000 in principal value.

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable.  CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

[1] https://www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-source/retirees-survey/tcrs2018_sr_retirees_survey_financially_faring.pdf

[2] https://www.thebalance.com/fed-funds-rate-history-highs-lows-3306135

[3] https://www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-source/retirees-survey/tcrs2018_sr_retirees_survey_financially_faring.pdf

[4] https://www.thebalance.com/mortgage-interest-deduction-before-and-after-retirement-2388985

[5] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cash-reserves.asp

[6] https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-2018

https://www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-source/retirees-survey/tcrs2018_sr_retirees_survey_financially_faring.pdf

Coping with College Loans

Total student loan debt in America is now around $1.6 trillion. Since 2008, it has more than doubled. Federal Reserve data states that 44.7 million Americans are dealing with lingering education loans. The average indebted college graduate leaves campus owing nearly $30,000, and the mean monthly student loan payment is about $400.[i]

Student debt influences home buying and retirement saving decisions. The National Association of Realtors says that 25% of recent homebuyers have outstanding student loans, including 41% of first-time buyers. A 2018 study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College concluded that under-30 employees carrying education debt typically have just half as much saved in their workplace retirement plan accounts as other workers their age.[ii],[iii]

If you carry a sizable education debt, how can you plan to pay it off? If you are young (or not so young), budgeting is key. Even if you get a second job, a promotion, or an inheritance, you won’t be able to erase any debt if your expenses consistently exceed your income. Smartphone apps and other online budget tools can help you live within your budget day to day or even at the point of purchase for goods and services.

After that first step, you can use a few different strategies to whittle away at college loans.

*The local economy permitting, a couple can live on one salary and use the wages of the other earner to pay off the loan balance(s).

*You could use your tax refund to attack the debt.

*You can hold off on a major purchase or two.

*You can sell something of significant value – a car or truck, a motorbike, jewelry, collectibles – and use the cash for paying down the debt.  

Now, in the big picture of your budget, you could try the “snowball method” where you focus on paying off your smallest debt first, then the next smallest, etc., on to the largest. Or, you could try the “debt ladder” tactic, where you attack the debt(s) with the highest interest rate(s) to start. That may permit you to gradually devote more and more money toward the goal of wiping out that existing student loan balance.

Even just paying more than the minimum each month on your loan has the potential to help. Making payments every two weeks rather than every month can also have a positive impact.

If a lender presents you with a choice of repayment plans, weigh the one you currently use against the others; the others might be better. Signing up for automatic payments can help too. You avoid the risk of penalty for late payment, and student loan issuers commonly reward the move by lowering the interest rate on a loan by a quarter point.[iv]

What if you have multiple outstanding college loans? If one of them has a variable interest rate, try addressing that one first. Why? The interest rate on it may rise with time.

Another option is combining multiple federal student loan balances into one. While this requires a consolidation fee, it also leaves you with one payment, perhaps at a lower interest rate than some of the old loans had. If you have multiple private-sector loans, refinancing is an option. Refinancing could lower the interest rate and trim the monthly payment. The downside is that you may end up with variable interest rates.[v]

Maybe your boss could help you pay down the loan. Some companies are doing just that for their workers, simply to be competitive today. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 8% of employers offer this perk. A 2018 Employee Benefit Research Institute poll of 250 firms revealed that 13% planned to offer such assistance in the future.[vi]

To reduce your student debt, live within your means and use your financial creativity. It may disappear faster than you think.

To speak to a CapSouth advisor about student loan debt, contact our office at 800.929.1001 or visit our website: www.capsouthwm.com

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable.  CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/student-loan-debt-statistics/

[ii] https://www.nar.realtor/student-loan-debt

[iii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/06/25/heres-what-trillion-student-loan-debt-is-doing-us-economy/

[iv] https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/student-loans/how-to-lower-student-loan-interest-rate

[v] https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/consolidate-student-loans-2/

[vi] https://www.wsj.com/articles/employers-try-a-new-perk-matching-student-loan-payments-with-401-k-contributions-11570708801

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