4 Things Millennials Need To Know For Retirement
As a financial planner in the Chicago suburbs I work with millennials every day and make sure that they're capitalizing on these important ideas for planning:
Max Out Employer Matches
If someone offers you free money will you slap their hand away and turn it down? Of course, not! So, make sure this isn't what you're doing with your employer match in your 401K. Not everyone has the luxury of a 401K plan that offers a match so if you're someone who does make sure you're contributing enough to take full advantage of the match they offer. If your company doesn't offer any sort of match or retirement plan, then make sure you're utilizing a Roth IRA and maxing it out if possible too ($5500/year).
Buy When The Markets On Sale!
If you walk into your favorite store and find out they're having a 20% off everything sale what are you likely to do? Pick up all your favorite items at the bargain price! Now, why is it that when the stock market goes on sale we all have the reverse instinct? Instead of buying while many great companies are selling for a discount we tend to panic and consider selling the great companies we already own. Don't be that person! When there's a correction or even a bear market look at it as opportunity knocking at your door. Smart investors know this may be their chance to buy some great companies at a steep discount. Investors who are nearing retirement have a much shorter investment horizon and therefore will be affected more significantly by a bear market. If they are in that category, then their portfolio should have already been adjusted so that they are taking on far less risk. Being that millennials are much further away from retirement we should salivate at the first sign of a market correction because it could be a great opportunity for us to buy.
Use Monthly Deposits
I wish I could sit down with every millennial investor and talk to them about monthly deposits. I feel many millennials don't realize they can contribute to a Roth IRA the same way that they contribute to a 401K. You can set up a monthly deposit from your bank account directly into your Roth or regular investment account on the day you get paid. The reason I love monthly purchases is because it allows you to buy pieces of the market at several different prices. It's certainly easier to make one annual Roth IRA contribution right in the beginning of the year (according to Morningstar you'll end up with more by investing an annual lump sum as opposed to monthly deposits) but not everyone can afford to do that which makes this an excellent alternative strategy.
Invest For Other Reasons Than Retirement
Remember, investing is not for retirement only. The smartest investors know that any major purchase or expense they have 5 years or more down the road may be reached far quicker through investing. Home purchases, vacations and college are all common investing goals that may be reached through investing instead of holding the money in a savings account that earns you nothing. Establish different buckets of money such as; short, intermediate and long-term buckets and adjust the risk on each bucket of investments to your comfort. As your goal nears you can adjust the risk and begin implementing more conservative investments to prepare for that major purchase or expense.
The views expressed are not necessarily the opinion of Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., and should not be construed directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Individual circumstances vary. Investing is subject to risks including loss of principal invested. A Roth IRA is not appropriate for every investor. Distributions made prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a federal income tax penalty. If converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you will owe ordinary income taxes on any previously deducted traditional IRA contributions and on all earnings. We suggest that you discuss tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.
