Financial security in retirement is one of the biggest concerns for workers of all ages and particularly those that are approaching retirement.  

There are many steps you can take during your working years to build a financially secure retirement, such as starting to save at a young age or taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans.  

But while those are somewhat age- and situation-dependent, here are three tips that can help improve your financial security in retirement regardless of where you are in life: 

1. Be proactive about your health.

In a 2021 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Greenwald Research, 34% of respondents said they had retired early due to a health problem or disability, with the figure increasing to 40% for Black and Hispanic respondents. 

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest threats to financial security in retirement. And with increased longevity experienced by retirees today, being in poor health increases the potential to need for pricey long-term care. 

You can reduce the risk of significant unplanned healthcare expenses by staying active and visiting your doctor for regular preventative care. This will help you detect potential problems early and help you avoid having to retire because of poor health. 

Read more: Longevity and Financial Planning

2. Save for your own retirement first.

According to a Merrill Lynch research report from 2018, 72% of parents said they had put their children’s interests ahead of their own need to save for retirement and 63% of parents reported having sacrificed their financial security for the sake of their children, including pulling money out of savings and retirement accounts as well as taking on debt. This is hazardous to long-term financial security and should be avoided, especially as you get closer to retirement.  

Having a large amount of debt will not only impact your ability to save for retirement, debt payments could also substantially impact how much money you have to live on every month after you retire. While wanting to help your children (or other family members) is completely understandable, you shouldn’t put your retirement at risk in the process, especially if the person (or people) you’re helping is an adult. 

3. Work with a financial advisor.

According to a 2021 survey from Allianz, the majority of respondents said they are not getting professional help with their finances, with “don’t have enough money” and “costs too much” cited as the most common reasons why. 

However, working with an advisor is likely to help with both issues. Professional guidance can not only help you save more money (and not just for retirement), but also pay for itself through better management of your money. 

An advisor is obligated to act in your best interest at all times. They can help you understand what your budget and retirement should look like.  

And, referring back to tip #2, an advisor can help you set boundaries with your family and ensure that you prioritize your own financial security – you can’t take care of everyone else if you don’t take care of yourself first. An advisor can also help you build generational wealth – which, in the long run, is the ultimate form of taking care of your family. 

If you’re interested in having a conversation with a financial advisor to learn more about how financial planning can help you be financially secure in retirement, click here to schedule a free, no-obligation meeting.