Studies worldwide have consistently confirmed that people are not saving enough for their retirement or not saving at all. Sadly, with the average age of retirement increasing, more than half of the population can never afford to retire. Start as early as possible - this is the golden advice. But how and where do you start - it is rarely explained.
State pensions and employment pensions were an obvious choice for retirement in the past; however, it is not the reality in the current financial climate. With State and employment Pensions lowering and the average elderly population rising, retirees have to look to other methods to fund their retirement. Here are three tips for your retirement planning for 2021:
Here are three tips for your retirement planning for 2021:
Before going into voluntary pensions, we must discuss the employer-based ones. Employer-based pensions are reasonably common for people to have aside from state pensions for those who are working. Employer pensions cover not only retirement savings but also covers healthcare. The benefit of employment pensions supports both the employer and the employee as the employer receives tax breaks, and the employee enjoys financial security.
Every country in the world has its variants of employment pensions, and in some, it is mandatory to offer retirement plans for their employees. The USA provides 401(k), while the UK has a Workplace pension. Estonia offers employment pensions under its Pillar II. However, the contribution made to employee pensions is meagre and will not be enough to rely on. Additionally, to be able to qualify for one, employers must fulfil some criteria. These criteria are subjective to each country. And it also depends if you can keep your job. Hence, it is better if you also opt for a voluntary pension scheme for early retirement. They are often called retirement funds. The benefit of a voluntary pension scheme includes tax breaks.
Moreover, some countries invest the money in funds that ensure more robust retirement security. Again, each country has its versions of a voluntary pension scheme. For, e.g. in the UK, you can take early retirement at 62 with their Lifetime ISA. In Estonia, Pillar III offers people to save extra for retirement with tax breaks and allows them to withdraw five years before retirement. There are also private companies that offer voluntary pensions to support their retirement. People have to search for the best retirement planning services near them.
If you are curious as to how to get the most out of your voluntary pensions, check out any retirement calculator online to check your monthly contributions.
Apart from pensions and retirement funds, many support their retirement by investing externally. The most popular ones include stocks, bonds, and funds, and there are many ways to invest in them:
Real estate is one of the most well-received ideas for retirement planning. With its prices appreciating, more people want to take a slice of the market to ensure their retirement. Traditionally, those who already can afford to buy real estate will go for multiple real estates for rental income. The problem for many is, however, is the initial investment required. Nevertheless, there are many options available nowadays to participate in real estate investments. It has become more accessible through fin-tech. Crowdfunding is a well-established way to invest in the real-estate market where the crowdfunding company pools capital together from investors and invests in real estate. The company then receives income through rent and payout to the investors. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is an example of crowdfunding, and it pays its investors through dividends. The income also has tax benefits, and the risk is diluted by having several types of real estate in the portfolio. However, since it's also an investment in one asset class, it also carries some risks.
The process of achieving retirement has become more dynamic than before. Retirees are no longer relying on one source of income to prepare for their retirement. Most people invest their money to ensure that they can retire with enough resources to live the remainder of their lives. Some even have achieved early retirement - a goal which is becoming more popular. The important fact is to start early, invest your money and ensure that your risks are limited.
Last update: 08/03/2021