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August 14, 2023

5 Essential Retirement Planning Tips to Celebrate National Financial Awareness Day

Key Points

National Financial Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to develop your financial literacy and create financial stability that will serve you through retirement.
There are many ways to prepare for retirement. Opening a retirement account, investing in diversified assets, and asking questions are just a few ways to start.
Madison Trust can help with self-directed investing and ensure a smooth path to retirement.

Piggy bank and money next to it with “National Financial Awareness Day, August 14” stated next to it.

Despite rising concerns about market volatility and housing expenses, according to a survey by American Century, there are ways to be proactive and ease these possible stressors. National Financial Awareness Day, August 14, is the perfect time to review your investment portfolio and upgrade your financial planning strategies.

Although its origin is unknown, National Financial Awareness Day is dedicated to developing your financial literacy and building wealth. By taking action, you can set yourself on the right track to a fulfilling retirement.

To kick off your National Financial Awareness Day celebration, here are five essential retirement planning tips to consider.

1. Open a Retirement Account

The first step to retirement planning is to open an account. There are many tax-advantaged accounts to choose from, each with their own advantages.

Retirement Account Options Infographic: (1) Employer-Sponsored Plan (401(k), 403(b), 457 Plan) - These are retirement accounts offered by your employer. Some employers may match a certain percentage of the funds contributed to incentivize retirement savings. (2) Self-Employed Plan - If you are self-employed, depending on your income, you may contribute to a Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, or profit-sharing plan. (3) IRA (Individual Retirement Account) - A personal savings plan you can contribute to in addition to an employer-sponsored plan to boost your retirement savings. (4) Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) - A type of IRA that allows you to invest in alternative assets such as real estate, private equity, and precious metals that are not typically offered by standard IRAs.

Within these retirement accounts, you can also select when to receive tax advantages. You may contribute to a Traditional IRA before taxes and receive immediate tax benefits. Or you can contribute to a Roth IRA and withdraw money tax-free in retirement.

2. Invest and Diversify Your Portfolio

Once your retirement savings account is open, the next step is to place an investment. Depending on factors such as your age and risk tolerance, you may select different investments. To mitigate risk, consider diversifying your portfolio by not putting all your eggs in one basket. Explore the possibility of investing in standard stock market products (stocks, bonds, and mutual funds) and alternative investments (real estate, promissory notes, precious metals, etc.).

A Diversified Investment Portfolio infographic showing that a diversified investment portfolio may contain private placements, real estate, promissory notes, standard assets like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, gold/precious metals, and startups and crowdfunding investments.

3. Plan for Your Spouse and the Next Generation

Three generations (grandmother, mother, and daughter) smiling because they have completed their legacy planning and designated their beneficiaries of their retirement account.

Legacy planning is an important part of retirement planning. It is often a goal to ensure your spouse has enough income and assets to easily maintain their lifestyle in retirement. In addition to planning for your spouse, you may seek to pass on your funds to a loved one or charity. You can secure who you’d like to receive your funds by designating a beneficiary. For those looking for greater control and flexibility over their investments, distribution, and legacy, consider a Directed Trust. Visit our blog for more information about legacy planning.

4. Develop Financial Literacy and Practice Savings Techniques

Another beneficial way to plan for retirement is to increase your financial knowledge. There are many opportunities available to do so, including:

Joining an investing club
Reading a personal finance book or blog
Subscribing to financial newsletters or podcasts
Following financial experts on social media

Once you have a better picture of your finances, you can formulate financial goals and a budget to achieve these goals.

Don’t know where to start? Consider calculating your monthly expenses vs. income. You can create a spreadsheet or easily keep track on a phone application. Then, you can find out where you spend too much, where you can adjust, and see if you can increase your savings.

Young girl adding coins to three different jars that are labeled “education”, “savings”, and “toys” to indicate practicing good financial savings techniques.

5. Ask Questions to Someone Who Has Been in Your Shoes

Woman on the phone at her desk with a laptop on it speaking to her parents, grandparents, Self-Directed IRA Specialist, or financial advisor for recommendations on what to do and not to do when retirement planning.

Reach out to your parents, grandparents, a trusted friend, or someone you look up to for advice on how they achieve financial stability. Encourage them to share financial mistakes they have made and what they wish they knew when they were your age. Also ask if they have any additional financial tips or success stories. This way, you can start your financial literacy journey with your best foot forward!

Then, consider passing on what you have learned to your children or others looking to bolster their financial literacy. Need ideas? Visit Fun Ways the Entire Family Can Save.

In addition, you can turn to a financial advisor, tax advisor, and Self-Directed IRA Specialist for specific questions regarding the investing process.

Conclusion: Let's Tie It All Up

Celebrating National Financial Awareness Day can certainly benefit your current and future self. Any step taken towards planning your financial future is a step in the right direction. It can all start today! Try one of the ideas above or schedule a call with one of our in-house experts.

Investor pointing to the top of blocks that show an increasing trend, showing that financial planning can be successful.

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Disclaimer: All of the information contained on our website is a general discussion for informational purposes only. Madison Trust Company does not provide legal, tax or investment advice. Nothing of the foregoing, or of any other written, electronic, or oral statement or communication by Madison Trust Company or its representatives, is intended to be, or may be relayed as, legal, tax, investment advice, statements, opinions, or predictions. Prior to making any investment decisions, please consult with the appropriate legal, tax, and investment professionals for advice.