Using Your Quarantine as a Trial Run for Retirement
Staying productive in the time of COVID-19 can be a challenge. Rather than pulling out the board games, you might want to use the opportunity to stress-test your plans for retirement. Specifically, if you are preparing to retire soon, you might be able to examine a few aspects of your future life and look at ways to improve or rework them ahead of time.
If you are not working due to the quarantine, you have the opportunity to find your new place at home. Most retired people don’t spend all of their time at home, but you might find that “sheltering in place” may give you a taste of how you will cope without a job to go to every day.
You might also have better ideas, being stuck at home, as to what might be a meaningful path for your life once you are retired. Make a list of ideas that come to you whether it might be for another business, volunteer work, or just pursuits that might suit you.
If you are married, don’t forget that you will also be spending more time with your spouse. Now would be a good time to check in with your spouse and make sure that your retirement paths aren’t at cross purposes.[1]
How COVID-19 Volatility Might Affect Your Retirement
Bills going through Congress and signed into law at the White House might alter your retirement in some significant ways, particularly as many of the changes relate to taking money from various retirement accounts.
A quick overview: For 2020, you are now able to waive your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. This applies to this year only. Similarly, for this year, you can take a distribution of up to $100,000 from certain retirement accounts. This would be without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty for those to whom the penalty would ordinarily apply. For your workplace retirement account, you can take a loan of up to $100,000 (normally $50,000).
With all these actions, it’s important to note that these measures are intended to help those in dire financial need and, even then, should probably be taken with the help of your trusted retirement professional.[2]
On the Bright Side
In February, a number of New Jersey police officers went above and beyond by bringing groceries to elderly residents during the COVID-19 quarantine. Many of the groceries were donated by nonprofit organizations.[3]
Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. a Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser.
Lighthouse Financial, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated.
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty.
Citations
1 – Forbes.com, March 25, 2020.
2 – CNBC, March 25, 2020.
3 – SunnySkyz.com, March 19, 2020.