Did you ever wonder what might result from such a small boost to your retirement saving effort, even in midlife? While there is no ready answer to this question thanks to the many variables inherent in financial markets and investment choices, some ballpark math offers an illustration of the potential upside.
Suppose you put $1,000 more per year to a retirement account that returns a hypothetical 8% each year. Across ten years, the extra $10,000 you contribute to that account would be expected to have a value of nearly $22,000. Across 20 years, your $20,000 of additional contributions could reach $46,610. Putting just a little more into your retirement account each year could boost your retirement assets. Keep in mind the hypothetical 8% return does not reflect any investment or combination of investments. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance does not guarantee future results.[1]
The Gray Resignation Continues
America has seen an uptick in the number of seniors leaving full-time jobs. Pew Research Center data shows that 50.3% of adults older than age 55 were retired in the third quarter of 2021, a 2.2% increase from 2019. Among those aged 65 to 74, there was a 3% increase in that two-year period; by Q3 2021, two-thirds of adults in this age bracket defined themselves as retired. This is quite a different story than the one we saw during the 2007-2009 recession when the rate of retirement declined in America.
Why are more Americans retiring? One reason may simply be rising asset values. Now factor in the trend of working from home, and the way COVID-19 has encouraged people to rethink their priorities in life. If you are part of the “gray resignation” or want to join its ranks, it may not be so hard to reenter the workforce if that need (or want) arises. Currently, companies are struggling to attract enough job candidates to their hiring calls.[2]
On the Bright Side
About $12.7 billion in federal education loan debt was forgiven in 2021, some of it previously owed by Gen Xers and baby boomers.[3]
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CITATIONS.
1 – USA TODAY, December 17, 2021
2 – Nasdaq.com, December 21, 2021
3 – NPR, December 7, 2021