Investment return and risk
How much risk you are willing to take will affect how fast your nest egg grows and how safe it is after your retire. While you are still working, you can take more risks to increase investment returns because you will have time to recover from a stock market setback. But once you¡¯ve retired it¡¯s advisable to reduce investment risk in order to protect your nest egg from sudden declines in value when you need to make withdrawals.
Cash flow sources
Be conservative on what you expect from Social Security, although President Bush has promised full benefits for everyone born before 1950. Pensions, annuities and reverse mortgages will reduce the amount you need to withdraw from investment accounts.
Retirement date
People who work past 65 will have a bigger nest egg and fewer years of retirement expenses to cover. Some retirees have found they should have kept their jobs for a few more years.
Keep saving
The best way to improve your odds for a care-free retirement is to keep adding to your nest egg.
Expect the unexpected
Don¡¯t rely on formulas based on average investment return, inflation and longevity rates, because deviations from the norm can throw off projections.
Retirement expenses
Start by figuring out current living expenses, then determine what will change in retirement. Most retirees spend less on expenses like food and clothing, but many spend more on travel and second homes. Don¡¯t forget health care when estimating your annual retirement budget in today¡¯s dollars.
Future events
Downsizing to a smaller home or selling property will add to your nest egg. Money you expect to inherit should be included in your calculations.