Transition to retirement

However, many of these same people would also do well to consider the possibility of a lifestyle change once they have retired from their jobs. There are various different ways in which this can be accomplished.

Some of these ways include utilizing asset allocation strategies, having a plan in place for the superannuation and other investments, and also estate planning and financial strategy. One of the most popular and easy solutions that has been around for decades is that of using a superannuation strategy. A strategy is simply a set of investment decisions that an individual makes in order to create a passive, or tax effective, income. The decisions made here will allow the individual to build an emergency fund or other type of money savings specifically for the retirement years. Many of these options also utilize the concept of what is called a "rights" approach. This simply means that the investor will receive a certain percentage of his or her initial investment back upon retirement.

If you choose to utilize a pension or social security retirement strategy then you will probably need to consult a financial advisor. These advisors will typically not charge any fees for their services. In addition to their fees, their advice will be priceless. They can give you valuable insight into how to best utilize your tax-deferred savings for living expenses in the future.

While using a retirement plan will provide you with a nice lump sum upon retirement, you may want to continue working until that money is no longer available. If so then your financial planner should make recommendations concerning what type of employment will be most beneficial at those times when income may be lower. Some people decide to work in a more low-paying position in order to make sure that they continue to work well into their golden years. Other people choose to stay active and choose higher-paying jobs. Either way your financial planner can help you find the job or jobs that will give you the highest likelihood of staying employed at the time that you plan to retire.

One aspect of a financial advisor's job is to help you develop a safety net. After all, one of the goals of retirement is the ability to live on your own. You should include in your plans any investments that will provide a source of income during the transition to retirement years. For example, your retirement funds may be in a low interest savings account and your Social Security income may be linked to a workplace pension plan. Depending on the type of investment you have chosen the value of your nest egg may change after your retirement is complete.

The tax effective amount of your superannuation or other investment should also be considered. Most people are comfortable with the idea of saving for their golden years but only if the income will be sufficient to support them when they are no longer around. While you may not have a lot of extra money at the start of retirement, it pays to set aside a portion of your paycheck for taxes. Your financial planner can assist you in finding the best tax effective options for your situation. The most common option is a Roth IRA. Consult your financial planner to learn more about Roth IRAs and other tax effective superannuation and investment strategies.