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How to Make a Retirement Budget

Retirement budgeting is essential for managing your finances in your later years. A useful approach is to think of your retirement budget in distinct “buckets,” which include needs, lifestyle, aspirations, and estate. This method helps you categorize your expenses and savings effectively.

  1. Needs Bucket: This covers essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare. It’s crucial to determine the minimum monthly income required to cover these basic costs.

  2. Lifestyle Bucket: This includes expenses that enhance your quality of life, such as dining out, hobbies, and travel. These are not essentials but are important for enjoying your retirement.

  3. Aspiration Bucket: This is for fulfilling bigger dreams such as purchasing a luxury item or taking a major trip. This bucket is about expanding your lifestyle possibilities.

  4. Estate Bucket: This is for planning what you will leave behind, whether for family members or charitable causes. It ensures that your legacy is managed according to your wishes.

Retirement Income: Aligning your budget with your retirement income is crucial. Typically, this income will come from pensions, Social Security, and personal savings like IRAs. Understanding how much money you’ll have available is key to planning how you’ll distribute it across your budget buckets.

For instance, if a typical retired couple has significant savings in their IRAs and are eligible for Social Security benefits, they need to consider how to use these funds efficiently. They could opt for steady withdrawals or perhaps invest in an annuity that offers regular payouts. Each choice has its pros and cons, influenced by personal risk tolerance and financial needs.

Additional Considerations: Keep in mind the impact of taxes, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and potential healthcare costs. Taxes can take a significant portion of your withdrawals, and RMDs dictate minimum withdrawal amounts from your retirement accounts starting at a certain age. Planning for healthcare, including long-term care and gap insurance, is also critical.

Final Tips: Start with a clear understanding of your expenses and the lifestyle you wish to maintain. Consulting with a financial advisor can provide personalized guidance and help refine your retirement plan to meet your specific needs and goals.

In summary, organizing your retirement finances into clear categories helps you manage your funds more effectively. Knowing your income sources and how they align with your budget can ensure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.

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