Reviewing Your Retirement Plan

One of the biggest financial challenges is planning for your retirement. What you save for retirement will ultimately decide the quality of life once you stop working, and also determine when you stop working. Once you have a retirement plan, it is very important that you review your plan every few years to determine whether or not it is still reflective of your plans and needs. When reviewing your retirement plan, ask yourself these questions to determine whether you need to amend your original plan.

Are you still planning on retiring at the age you first decided on? Many circumstances, such as illness in the family, getting married, etc. can alter the original plan. Financial setbacks, such as unemployment, a loss in the stock market, supporting a loved one or whether or not your investments are growing at rate on which you accounted for can cause a significant change in your savings, thereby changing your original goal of when to stop working. Determine whether you need to re-evaluate this, and if applicable, decide on when retirement will be feasible.

Are your spending habits still consistent with your original retirement plan? Marriage, divorce, having children can significantly change your bank balance. Big purchases, such as a home or vacation home, new vehicles, etc. can also take a bite out of your savings. Also consider whether or not you have incurred new expenses, such as your children's education, etc. that you didn’t have when you first planned for retirement. It is important to evaluate your current financial obligations, and determine whether or not it is consistent with your retirement plan. You may want to consider cutting expenses where you can in order to save for your retirement.

Is your investment portfolio growing as originally expected? You need to evaluate whether your original investments are still relevant to your needs. Reassess whether or not your original portfolio is growing with your retirement goals. Factor in your age and retirement goal and decide whether or not you need to make changes in order to accomplish that goal. Depending on your target retirement age, and how close you are to that target, you may need to make changes in order to accomplish your goals.

How much can you expect from your government retirement plan? Get a statement of earnings so you know exactly how much money you can expect when you retire. By doing this beforehand, you can also determine whether your account information is correct, and deal with any mistakes before you need this income. Having an accurate dollar amount of what you are entitled to will greatly aid you in determining your retirement budget, and exactly how much savings you will need.

How about your company pension plan? You need to be fully aware of what type of plan it is, whether or not your employers offer matching funds, and whether or not you are contributing as much as you can. You need to research whether or not you can choose the investments and track how well they are doing, as well as what you are entitled to if you choose to leave your employment early. It is important to know how much your plan is worth, and how much it will grow between now and your retirement date.
What happens to your health and life insurance benefits? Determine whether or not your benefits are available after your retirement. Most benefits end upon termination of employment, just when life and health coverage is most needed. For those who are concerned about getting coverage with existing health problems, we offer a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance plan that is affordable and requires no medical exam. We also offer FollowMe Life Insurance, specifically designed for those who lose their employee benefits. There is no medical examination required, providing you apply for coverage within 60 days of your employment termination. You can choose the amount of coverage you want, and it is guaranteed renewable up to the age of 80, regardless of health conditions. This coverage also provides a Living Benefit, at no additional cost. We also provide Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance; for more information please visit our website HealthQuotes.ca

The closer you get to retirement, the more often you should review all these criteria to ensure that your plan is still meeting all your requirements. Consult a financial planner if you are unsure whether or not you are maximizing all your options. If you are concerned about getting insurance coverage after you retire, please contact us for assistance.