Moneywise
4 min read
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Jada, 52, is facing the existential dread of retirement. She doesn’t even plan to clock out until she turns 65, and she’s been saving for her golden years since her mid-20s.
But her husband of 20 years hasn’t put aside anything for retirement, and he doesn’t plan to. He’s relying on his pension and Social Security retirement benefits — along with Jada’s savings — to finance their golden years.
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Jada worries he doesn’t understand how much they’ll need in retirement, and feels resentful that she’s making all the sacrifices for their future. Now, she’s left wondering what to do next, and if they’ll be alright.
First things first, you’ll want to have a conversation about your expectations. But that can be easier said than done with one in three Americans (32%) saying they’re uncomfortable discussing finances in their relationship, according to a Talker Research survey.
In Jada and her husband’s case, they should start by ensuring they’re on the same page with their goals. Not to mention, how much they’ll need to reach those goals. A general rule of thumb is to aim for about 60% to 80% of your pre-retirement income. If Jada and her husband are finding it difficult to talk or even crunch the numbers, they may want to enlist the help of a financial adviser.
They know the right questions to ask to help you figure out your shared retirement goals.
With Advisor.com, you can find a vetted financial advisor that offers personalized advice, guiding you towards the right choices for the retirement you've always dreamed of. They can help you get your retirement mapped out today.
Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead
Once you’re aligned on your goals, it’s time to work together to make them happen. That might look like a spousal IRA (aimed at helping a non-working spouse), 401(k)s and IRAs as individual accounts.
Jada’s husband would greatly benefit from opening a 401(k) and funding it to the maximum amount — especially if his employer matches his contributions.
