Key Ages
50
Add catch-up contributions to your IRA, 401K or other Qualified Plan
59½
Earliest you can withdraw funds from your tax-advantaged accounts without penalty
62
Earliest you can begin receiving Social Security for retirement
65
Sign up for Medicare.
Sign up for Part A even if you’re still working. Sign up for Part B and D once you stop working.
70
Delay Social Security benefits and get the highest monthly benefit
72
Start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your tax-advantaged accounts the following year. (New limit for 2020.)
Latest Posts on: Retiring
Congratulations, You’re Retired! Which Money Should You Spend First?
Your taxable savings, your traditional IRA (or 401K), or your Roth. Which do you spend first during retirement?
Stretch Your Retirement Savings with the Addition of an Annuity
A review of “Safety-First Retirement Planning” by Wade Pfau (2019). Adding an annuity to your retirement plan will relieve longevity risk and improve your retirement spending budget.
Four Best (and One Worst) Alternatives to Long-term Care Insurance
With our long lifespans long-term care coverage is becoming a necessity. Fortunately, many states offer partnership programs to assist in finding a good LTCI policy. Other options include hybrid annuities and life insurance policies.
“Retiring” From Your Job? Check These First Before Racing to the Exit
Don’t leave behind perks that you are entitled to, including vested stock options. Likewise, plan for things that are going away, especially health insurance.
What If You Can’t Retire When Planned? Redefining “Work”
Stop counting down the years until retirement. Instead, redefine how you want to earn an income without the corporate soul-crushing grind.
Will the Spend Safely in Retirement Strategy (SSiRS) Work for You?
In-depth review of an easy to implement retirement strategy to optimize your social security while drawing down your savings at a reasonable rate
Will Social Security Still Be There When We Need it? Most likely
OASDI trust fund reserves will become depleted in 2035, but you will still get your social security check. However, it may be reduced or delayed.
Should You Trust Retirement-Savings-Goals-by-Age Estimates?
Two models by Fidelity and Schwab face off. Beware, their assumptions may not apply to you.
This information has been provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any opinions expressed are my own and may not be appropriate in all cases. All efforts have been made to provide accurate information; however, mistakes happen, and laws change; information may not be accurate at the time you read this. Links are included for reference but should not be considered an implied endorsement of these organizations or their products. Please seek out a licensed professional for current advice specific to your situation.
Liz Baker, PhD
I’m an authority on investing, retirement, and taxes. I love research and applying it to real-world problems. Together, let’s find our paths to financial freedom.
