You’re juggling student loans, car payments, and credit card balances while trying to save for retirement — and you’re not sure which should come first. Should you prioritize getting rid of those balances, or is it more important to keep investing for retirement? This is the dilemma GOBankingRates reader Veronica brought to our Top 100 Money Experts series. For You: I Paid Off $40K in 7 Months Doing These 5 Things Learn About: How To Get Guaranteed Growth On Your Money — Without Risking Your Principal To ...

Core Insights - Retirement planning is essential not only for ensuring sufficient funds for leisure activities but also for mitigating financial risks post-retirement [1][2] Group 1: Financial Risks in Retirement - Longevity risk is a significant concern, as retirees may outlive their savings due to various factors [4] - Sequence-of-returns risk can severely impact retirement savings if a market downturn occurs early in retirement [5] - Inflation, rising healthcare costs, and the IRMAA surcharge can further strain financial resources, with human behavior also posing risks through panic selling or chasing trends [5] Group 2: Strategies for Retirement Planning - A recommended approach is to engineer cash flow first and optimize returns second, ensuring a stable income that retirees cannot outlive [6] - Maintaining 12 to 24 months of essential expenses in cash can prevent forced selling during market dips [6] - Focusing on steady income allows retirees to balance safety and growth, enabling them to pursue higher-risk investments when their cash flow is secure [6][7]

Core Insights - The 4% rule, originally proposed by financial planner William Bengen, has been updated to a 4.7% rule to better reflect modern financial conditions [1][4] - Bengen's original rule was designed to help retirees withdraw a sustainable amount from their savings over a 30-year period [3][4] Group 1: Reasons for Update - The update is attributed to advancements in research and a changing financial landscape since the 1990s [2][6] - A significant concern among Americans is the fear of outliving their retirement savings, with 64% expressing more worry about running out of funds than death [5] Group 2: Changes in Investment Strategy - The original 4% rule was based on a portfolio of 50% large-cap stocks and 50% U.S. bonds, while modern portfolios often reflect a 60/40 or 70/30 split [7] - Retirees today may have a more diversified asset allocation, including cash, commodities, and real estate, compared to the historical focus on stocks and bonds [7]

Core Insights - Retirement for many Americans is about achieving a comfortable middle-class lifestyle, with a target passive income of $12,000 per month or $144,000 per year to cover expenses and enjoy luxuries [1] - Achieving this level of retirement income requires not only a substantial nest egg but also resilience against inflation, market fluctuations, and longevity risk [2] Financial Requirements - The "magic number" for retirement savings in 2025 is projected to be $1.26 million, which translates to an annual retirement income of approximately $50,400 or $4,200 per month, closely aligning with the median retirement income of $54,710 for Americans over 65 [3] - To achieve a retirement income of $12,000 per month, an individual would need around $3.6 million in retirement savings, which is nearly three times the average retiree's income [4] Inflation and Longevity Risk - Even a modest inflation rate of 2% can significantly erode purchasing power over time, necessitating an increase in retirement income to about $214,000 per year by age 82 to maintain the same standard of living as $144,000 in the first year of retirement [5] - Investment strategies play a crucial role in managing inflation and longevity risk; relying on low-risk assets like bonds may require savings well over $3.6 million to keep pace with inflation [6]

Core Points - The article discusses the importance of creating a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and minimize estate taxes when a person passes away [1][4] - It highlights the complexities and potential legal battles associated with the probate process, using the example of the late entertainer Prince [2][3] - The article emphasizes the need for individuals to structure their living trusts carefully and provides considerations for what to include or exclude [4][11][12] Group 1: Trusts and Wills - A revocable living trust allows individuals to maintain control over their assets and designate beneficiaries, helping to avoid the probate process [1][7] - The process of creating a will is recommended to prevent confusion among family members regarding one's wishes after death [2][3] - The article presents a hypothetical case of an individual, Pete Moneywise, who is preparing his financial affairs, reflecting common concerns among retirement-age individuals [5][4] Group 2: Costs and Services - Ethos Will & Trust offers online services to create wills and living trusts quickly, with documents vetted by estate-planning attorneys [6] - The costs for creating a will start at $149 and a living trust at $349, with a full refund available within 30 days if unsatisfied [7] - Range provides financial planning services for high-earning households, including asset management and tax planning [8][10] Group 3: Items to Exclude from Trusts - Certain assets, such as vehicles, annuities, life insurance, international assets, and checking accounts, are recommended to be excluded from a revocable living trust to avoid complications [11][12][18][19] - The article advises that naming beneficiaries directly on life insurance policies is preferable to placing them in a trust [14][15]