In retirement, you want to optimize your limited income, and being debt-free can help you get there. Here are some tips and tricks to becoming and staying debt-free.
The temptation to borrow is ever-present in our society. But you can choose to be free of obligations to banks and lenders by being debt-free.
Some retirees are completely debt-free as they enter their golden years. There’s a unique comfort in paying off all your debts before you retire. Debt can cause anxiety that detracts from happiness, and you must make consistent payments to the lender. In retirement, you want to optimize your limited income, and being debt-free can help you get there.
Here are six steps you can take to ensure a debt-free retirement:
1. Swear off consumer debt. Depending on your income and lifestyle, you may carry consumer debt as you are saving for retirement. Consumer debt is any outstanding money you owe due to acquiring goods or services. Credit card overuse is the easiest way to go into debt. But consumer debt can also come in the form of personal loans or money owed to friends or family. As interest accrues on debt it works against your potential to build wealth. Worse yet, these debts hamper your cash flow, leaving less money to invest each month. Those with debt also require more savings to cover monthly expenses, which could make it necessary to delay your retirement date. Aim to pay off any high-interest consumer debt as quickly as possible and swear off irresponsible credit use in the future.
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File
2. Eliminate car payments. Vehicle debt is a form a consumer debt that is widely used by car buyers. There’s nothing stopping you from entering retirement with a car payment, but it requires bigger withdrawals from savings or more cash flow to cover the payment. Lease payments are another type of monthly bill that those without vehicle debt don’t have to pay.
When planning for your retirement, consider your transportation needs well ahead of your exit date. Your family may no longer need two cars if you and your spouse don’t have to go to separate jobs at the same time. Some retirees choose to go without a car. Public transportation, taxis and ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are alternatives to owning a car. If you can eliminate car payments approaching retirement, you’ll strengthen your ability to save aggressively. Entering retirement without a car payment will help you preserve your retirement nest egg.
However, you may need to purchase another vehicle when your existing car becomes less reliable. Consider a used vehicle to save money, or buy a lower cost entry model with cash. Avoid the temptation of low interest rate loans.
[See: 10 Costs You Can Eliminate in Retirement.]
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
3. Pay off student loan debt. According to a survey by Sallie Mae, 14 percent of parents borrow money to pay for college costs for their children. With the increasing cost of higher education, many parents end up indebted from university tuition in the years nearing retirement.
The best strategy to avoid college tuition debt if you choose to fund your child’s education is to start saving early. A 529 college savings plan is a great place to start, but only 13 percent of families use them, according to Sallie Mae. Research 529 plans to find the one that gives you the best investment options for your risk tolerance and tax advantages for your state. Look for a diverse selection of low-cost funds.
Another option is to forego borrowing altogether and require your child to accept the debt burden of college tuition. While this may seem unpalatable, the timeline for your retirement is more pressing and your child will have an entire working career to address the debt. You can always help your child later on, but prioritize your retirement over your child’s education.
If you insist on funding your child’s education with debt, create a payoff timeline that ends before your retirement date. A home equity loan may be a good option for lower rates, especially if you expect to downsize your home in retirement. That will enable you to pay off the debt when you downsize your home.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
4. Downsize, rent or live in a paid-off home. As part of a comprehensive retirement plan, housing needs should be at the forefront of planning. If you intend to pursue a debt-free retirement, your largest hurdle may be your mortgage. Staying in a paid-for home will keep your housing costs down. But not everyone is mortgage-free as they approach retirement.
Choosing to live in a debt-free house takes planning. One strategy is to downsize your home in retirement. You could also move to a location with a lower cost of living. Another option is renting. Renting allows you to live without a mortgage and has the added benefit of not having to deal with maintenance issues or large unexpected costs.
[See: 10 Tips for Finding a Great Place to Retire.]
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Kwanchai_Khammuean)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/Kwanchai_Khammuean
5. Avoid medical debt. One in five working-age Americans with health insurance reports problems paying medical bills, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And more than half for those who are not insured find medical costs unaffordable.
Medical costs rise as you age. Adequate health insurance is an essential component of your retirement plan. If you retire before age 65, you’ll need to find an affordable but comprehensive health insurance policy that fits the needs of you and your family.
The next line of defense to avoid medical debt is to maintain a conservative emergency fund in a savings or money market account. Keep this money separate, and only utilize it in the event of an unexpected cost.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
6. Refuse to lend money to family. A truly debt-free retirement means avoiding lending money, not just borrowing. Retirees with a healthy nest egg may be approached by friends or family members looking to borrow money in times of need or perhaps to invest in a business venture. Lending to family members can cause tension, especially when one party doesn’t hold up to the bargain. This can lead to strained relationships, which are certainly not what you want in retirement.
If a close family member is financially distressed and needs help, consider gifting money instead of lending if you have the means. Make it clear it’s one-time assistance, you’re doing it out of love and you do not expect anything in return. Those truly in need will be grateful, and you’ll feel no animosity for an unpaid debt. In the event someone close approaches you to invest in a business, choose equity deals over debt and treat the investment as highly speculative, only investing a small fraction of your net worth.
(Thinkstock)
