5 Retirement Planning Mistakes

1. Be careful in putting all your investments (nest egg) in one basket
A planned well-diversified portfolio facilitates positive performance of some investments and can  balance out poor performance of others investments. The mix of investments in different asset classes (e.g., stocks, bonds, real estate) help keep your retirement goals on track even when one investment goes through and downsizing period. Diversification is vitally important as you get near retirement.  You have fewer years of income to rebuild savings if some investments post losses.
Contact a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to recommend diversification strategies based on your goals and risk tolerance. Regular meetings with Certified Financial Planner are encouraged to keep your goals on track for a well planned retirement. 

2. Get your estate plan in order to keep your heirs aware
Make things much easier for your loved ones in the future by talking through estate planning today. Your CFP advisor and attorney can work with you on estate planning.  You will obviously want to have your exact wishes of your estate carried out.
Estate planning points:

• Create your will and/or trusts
• Document your health care directive and power of attorney designation
• Ensure your beneficiary designations are up to date for all your financial accounts, including retirement accounts, annuities and insurance
• Keep a list of all your online accounts and passwords in a secure place that your attorney or beneficiaries can access quickly if needed

Your advisor will provide you with personalized advice that aligns with a comprehensive estate plan, and will help bring your family members together for the sometimes-difficult discussions.

3. Don't wait too long to think about your current and long-term health care needs
Protecting your assets means planning carefully for health care needs (expected and the unexpected). Your first step is to make sure you have enough medical coverage, plus a long-term care strategy.
The process begins by finding out which Medicare benefits you’ll be eligible for down the road and researching options for supplemental insurance (assuming you are over 65). For example, hybrid life insurance policies combine life insurance with long-term care benefits that may help you pay for the costs of a nursing home, assisted living or in-home care — expenses Medicare does not cover. In general, these hybrid policies may be more affordable than traditional long-term care policies.  Check them out throughly with your CFP or a licensed insurance agent.

4. Don't keep your 401(k) accounts in multiple places
If you have changed jobs several times during your career, you might have multiple 401(k)s at different employers. It makes sense to consolidate these accounts.  Be careful, before you do, discuss a few critical factors with your CFP:

• Investment options for each account
• Risk tolerance and time horizon
• The appropriate balance between taxable and tax-deferred accounts
• How to take distributions when you need them
• Discuss and decide whether to leave savings in your former employer’s qualified retirement plan if you have employer stock that has grown significantly in value

You may be able to roll your 401(k) savings into an IRA, an option that may provide you with greater control of your retirement assets and growth potential while maintaining tax benefits. Consolidating your retirement savings may also help you, consult your CFP for more strategic options for retirement.

5. Be aware of paying too much in taxes
It make sense to pay taxes now to lessen your future tax liability. Could charitable gifts lower your taxable income? Are there tax deductions you’re not using to your advantage? Your CFP and tax accountant can work together to create a tax strategy for you.

Schedule a retirement check-in with your CFP!