Planning for Retirement
There are several factors to consider when deciding how to allocate your savings at retirement time. It may be advantageous to pay off debt. It may be advantageous to use guaranteed* instruments or avoid guarantees to keep costs low depending on your situation. As an independent firm, we have a mountain of financial products available and as fiduciaries, we will always present the strategies that will benefit you the most.
Among other factors, we will take into consideration your age, investment type (qualified/nonqualified), and specific preferences to help determine the most appropriate withdrawal strategy considering current tax brackets and your overall best interest. We believe it is important to properly diversify your investments and risk with highly rated companies and create an income plan that you are comfortable with.
*Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company
Saving for Retirement
To achieve your retirement goals, we recommend setting aside savings as soon as you can. Time is one of the greatest resources available when saving for long-term financial goals. The earlier and more often you save, the more likely you are to achieve your retirement goals. We have a variety of retirement account types available that offer specific tax benefits depending on your personal situation. While setting aside savings is important, it is also crucial to ensure you are using the correct type of savings account.
Also, we always recommend contributing to your employer plan if they offer a match on contributions. Funding the minimum required to max out the match is a great way to increase your retirement savings. It is important to not leave money on the table and receive as much of a match as possible. While we cannot directly manage your employer retirement plan, we do have a service available that can help manage the investments within your account.
Retirement Considerations
How you position your assets to provide retirement income is a very important decision, especially when you consider the following:
- We are living longer. This makes it challenging to figure out how much retirement income will be enough. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people over age 85 are the most rapidly growing age group (Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/wellness/health/2022/05/26/fastest-growing-age-group-people-over-85-live-long-well/7389772001/).
- Inflation may slow down, but it doesn’t stop. In 2011, the annual average CPI was 224.939; in 2023, it was 304.702. This represents an inflation rate of 35.5% over 12 years (Source: https://www.investopedia.com/inflation-rate-by-year-7253832).
- The future of Social Security, and its guarantee of lifetime income, is uncertain.
Have More Questions?
Schedule a Time to Chat with Us:
Part of your heritage in this society is the opportunity to become financially independent.
Contact Us
Summit Financial Consulting LLC
Working With People You Trust.
43409 Schoenherr Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Phone: 586-226-2100
Fax: 586-226-3584
info@summitfc.net
Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck
Our Office
Summit Financial Consulting
The Fine Print
All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Summit Financial Consulting LLC and our editorial staff. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.
The presence of this web site shall in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell investment advisory services to any residents of any State other than the State of Michigan, Florida, Texas or where otherwise legally permitted. All written content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Advisory services are offered through Summit Financial Consulting LLC, DBA Summit Financial Working With People You Trust, an SEC Investment Advisor. Being registered with the SEC and being a registered investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Summit Financial Consulting LLC and its representatives do not render tax, legal, or accounting advice. Health/Life/Annuity Insurance products and services offered by the individual insurance agent. Group Health insurance and ancillary benefits are offered through Summit Health Services, LLC. Property/Casualty (P&C) Insurance is offered through Summit Insurance Services, LLC and our local P&C agency partners. Representatives of Summit Financial Consulting LLC offer tax preparation services through Summit Tax Services. Summit Tax Services is a DBA of Heemer Klein & Company and they are owned and operated independently. Tax products and services are offered through Summit Tax Services LLC. Summit Financial Consulting LLC, Summit Health Services LLC, Summit Tax Services LLC, and Summit Insurance Services, LLC are affiliated entities.
Summit Financial Consulting LLC, Summit Health Services LLC, Summit Tax Services LLC, and Summit Insurance Services, LLC are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.