How To Get Clients To Save More

Post on: 19 Май, 2015 No Comment

How To Get Clients To Save More

Financial advisors have their work cut out for them when it comes to getting clients to save more toward retirement. In fact more than a third all Americans (36%) have not saved or invested any money for retirement, according to a survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International for Bankrate. Some 33% of 30-49 year olds, 26% of 50-64 year olds and 14% of people 65 and older have no retirement savings at all, the survey found.

Below are some strategies to help clients up the ante when it comes to saving more toward retirement.

Work Longer

Working longer may not be a popular choice but delaying retirement by a few years can significantly boost retirement savings. Not only does it allow folks to save more, it gives existing retirement savings more time to grow. Working longer also means fewer years in which retirement savings need to be tapped. (For more, see: Is Working Longer a Viable Retirement Plan? )

Max Out Contributions

Workers with access to 401(k) plans, including those who need or choose to work longer before retiring, should max out contributions. In addition to maxing out 401(k) contributions, those 50 years or older should take advantage of catch-up contributions. In 2015, the maximum contribution for a 401(k) is $18,000. Workers 50 years and older can contribute $6,000 more or $24,000 in total. (For more, see: New 2015 Contribution Limits: Advisors Take Heed .)

Workers who don’t have access to 401(k) plans should max out contributions to individual retirement accounts (IRAs). In 2015, workers can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA or $6,500 if they 50 years of age or older.

Younger and older workers alike can be apprehensive when advised to max out contributions. Illustrating the tax advantages of contributing to an IRA or 401(k) can help change the perception that they will be out of pocket more than they actually will be. (For more, see: How Financial Advisors Can Help Gun-Shy Investors .)

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Hold Off on Collecting Social Security

Delaying collecting social security retirement benefits can have a significant impact on increasing the amount of future monthly benefits. Benefits can be collected as early as age 62 but can be delayed until 70 years of age. Each year benefit collection is delayed can boost social security retirement payments by 8% annually. The increase is known as delayed retirement credits. Collecting benefits at age 62 but before retirement age, meanwhile, can decrease monthly benefits. (For more, see: Tips on Delaying Social Security Benefits .)

Cut Housing Costs

Decreasing cost of living expenses increases cash flow that can be used to save more toward retirement. The highest cost of living expense is housing. The rule of thumb is that mortgage payments typically account for 30% of gross income but in reality they can be higher depending on the housing market in which someone lives. Those who live in San Francisco or the greater New York City area, for example, most likely pay a higher percentage of their gross income toward housing. (For more, see: Avoid the Downsides of Downsizing in Retirement .)

An ideal scenario is selling a larger home and having enough cash left to buy a smaller home outright. At the very least downsizing means smaller mortgage payments which results in more cash flow as well as significant savings in interest paid on a mortgage. Either way, downsizing to a smaller home also reduces energy costs and real estate taxes leaving more money to put towards retirement savings.

How To Get Clients To Save More

Other ways to decrease housing expenses include moving to a part of the country where costs are lower or living with extended family that shares the costs. (For more, see: Could Being a Landlord Pay for Your Retirement? )

Pay Off Debt

Paying off debt before retirement and saving for it is a balancing act. Choosing what is best depends on an individual’s circumstance. Paying down debt makes sense, for example, for those who have cash in a low interest savings account and high interest debt, such as credit card balances with double digit rates. Also, decreasing housing expenses via any of the scenarios above make it easier to pay down debt. (For more, see: Should You Tap Into Savings to Pay Off Debt? )

Some Good News

There is some good news for financial advisors urging clients to save more toward retirement. Younger generations are starting to save earlier. Twice as many 30-49 year olds started saving in their 20s compared to their 30s, according to the survey. Those between 50-64 years old, meanwhile, were only slightly more likely to have started saving in their 20s than their 30s. (For more, see: Money Habits of the Millennials .)

The Bottom Line

Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement which means financial advisors are faced with the difficult task of convincing them to save more. The above outlines a number of scenarios worth exploring to help them get on the right track. (For more, see: Why the 4% Rule No Longer Works for Retirees .)


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