5 Points to consider when planning for retirement

We will all reach a stage where we will have to retire from our jobs. When this day eventually comes, we need to ensure that we are in a space to retire comfortably.

Preenay Sathu, Head of Financial Advisory at FNB says, “We encourage consumers to start saving for retirement as soon as they start earning income. Long term thinking is encouraged when looking at retirement planning and the benefits thereof.”

Sathu unpacks factors to consider when planning for retirement:

1. Age: While the retirement age in South Africa is 60 years, there are people who prefer to retire early (minimum age 55) so that they can travel or dedicate their time to non-profit organisations or simply spend time with their family. Taking these plans into account will help you ensure that you save enough to allow for comfortable retirement.
2. Debt: It is not advisable to rely on your retirement payout to settle debt. Your retirement income should be dedicated to sustaining your lifestyle and covering your daily living expenses. Settling your debt before your retirement is a critical step to ensure that you retire comfortably.
   
   Monthly contributions: You need to ensure that you contribute enough to retire comfortably. Speak to a certified financial planner who will guide you to structure your retirement plan in accordance with your lifestyle and needs.
3. Financial discipline: To be able to achieve your retirement goal you have to be financially disciplined and have long term thinking. Investment returns and growth will be greater over the longer term thus allowing for greater opportunity for consumers to reach their retirement goals.
4. Retirement fund: For individuals who belong to a company pension or provident fund, it is advisable to still invest in a retirement annuity to strengthen your retirement income. Retiring with a healthy pension or provident fund and retirement annuity will help to boost ones retirement savings which will be used to fund individual retirement needs
5. Review your plan: An annual review of one’s retirement plan is vital to long term success. However, in addition to an annual review individuals must review their retirement plan when there is a change in circumstances such as marriage or divorce, new born child, purchase of property, sale of assets and change in legislation.

“When advising clients on retirement planning, we always take a holistic view of a client by conducting a full needs analysis of their financial affairs, personal and financial circumstances which includes assessing dependency, estate structure, and current financial planning portfolio. This helps us gain a thorough understanding of the client as well as helps us identify their needs, wants and responsibilities. By doing this we are able to construct a retirement plan that aligns to the client as an individual and which is best positioned to help them achieve their retirement aspirations. Retirement shouldn’t be a choice, but rather a destination. Let us help you get there,” concludes Sathu.