Retirement might be a far-off idea for some workers, but you also may be surprised about how prepared you are for retirement. You may not realize just how much money you've already saved or what other options you may have to fund your retirement.
So, before you lament never being able to retire, here are some things to consider that may improve your retirement prospects.
Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique
The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.
A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.
If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds, see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)
Your retirement portfolio is in good shape
/images/2022/10/14/financial_analysts_analyze_business_financial_reports.jpg)
Sit down and make a list of all your retirement investments. You may be surprised to find that you're doing pretty well when it comes to saving for retirement.
Remember that your retirement portfolio isn't just money you've invested in a 401(k). You also may want to consider other stock holdings, savings, investments, and even your home. All assets that can be converted to cash could help you.
Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.
You've achieved your career ambitions
/images/2022/10/14/senior_businessman_standing_at_the_business_center.jpg)
Perhaps you've reached the peak of what you've wanted to accomplish professionally. Or maybe you don't have anything motivating you to continue on your current path.
These points in your career could be signs that it's time for you to step back and retire rather than push forward with a career from which you've gained so much already.
You're debt free
/images/2022/09/26/young_female_sitting_at_desk_with_calculator_and_laptop_holding_pen_and_mug.jpg)
An important goal before you retire is to try to be debt-free. If you're living on a fixed income, you probably don't want debt hanging over you.
Consider prioritizing paying off debt now if you still have some on your balance sheet. Think about paying off your mortgage and getting rid of any leftover student debt.
And remember that credit card debt is most likely the highest-interest debt you have. Pay off any cards and make a plan to purchase only what you can pay off each month going forward.
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more. How to become a member today: You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement. Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal. If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
You have a retirement plan
/images/2022/09/19/happy_senior_couple.jpg)
Do you already know where you want to live or what you want to do when you're retired? Having goals before you retire can help you put a plan in place now so you know when you're ready to retire.
Consider issues like the cost of living for where you want to settle down as well as daily expenses and one-time events like traveling.
You have a retirement budget
/images/2022/10/14/mature_business_woman_holding_paper_bill.jpg)
It's a good idea to come up with a budget as part of your countdown to retirement. Remember to factor in things like the costs of utilities, groceries, and car payments. You'll also want to factor in one-time costs for vacations or to pursue a hobby when you're retired.
A good retirement budget can help you get comfortable with how much money you'll need in retirement. And you might be surprised to find that you're in good shape to retire now.
Trending Stories
You have other ways to make money
/images/2022/10/11/woman_streaming_with_smart_phone_on_tripod.jpg)
You may have a side hustle that has been making you some extra cash while you've been working at your full-time job. Or perhaps you think you'll want to work a part-time job to stay busy when you're retired.
It's a good idea to consider ways to supplement your Social Security income now so you have a cushion if you need it later.
You're emergency account is fully funded
/images/2022/09/27/male_hand_depositing_some_extra_money_in_future.jpg)
An emergency account should have enough money to cover one-time surprise expenses like a major car repair or unexpected medical bills. This account should be separate from your regular checking account, which you use to pay regular expenses.
If you find that your emergency account is fully funded, it may be a good sign that you can survive a surprise expense on a fixed income.
You qualify for benefits
/images/2022/08/31/social_security_and_retirement_income.jpg)
You've had taxes taken out of your paycheck for things like Social Security and Medicare throughout your working life. But do you know if you're old enough to qualify for those benefits, or how much those benefits could cover you now?
If you haven't done so by age 60, create an account on the Social Security Administration's website. You can see your earnings history, calculate how much you can collect each month, and how much you've contributed during your years of work.
If you can afford to hold off claiming Social Security, you may be able to receive a bigger check.
Your home is paid off
/images/2022/03/15/senior-woman-holding-keys.png)
One of the biggest expenses you may have to pay each month is a mortgage payment. Paying off your mortgage means you don't have to worry about that expense depleting your retirement account each month.
However, if your mortgage has a low interest rate and you can earn a higher return on your investments, you should consider hanging on to your mortgage.
And don't forget to calculate the mortgage interest deduction on your taxes. A financial adviser may help you make this decision.
Pro tip: If your mortgage payments include escrow funds to cover home insurance and property taxes, remember that those costs don't go away when you pay off your house. You'll want to include insurance and taxes on your estimated retirement budget.
That's right. According to the FTC, Americans lost over $10 Billion to fraud and identity theft in 2023. But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one identity theft protection services from Aura which comes with $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance1 <p>Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.</p> per adult, to cover you should you have eligible identity theft-related losses. An individual plan starts at $9 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others - includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers. Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.In 2023 Americans lost over $10 billion to identity theft and fraud
You aren't supporting anyone
/images/2022/10/14/businesswoman_relaxing_at_workplace_in_office.jpg)
You may not be able to retire just yet if you're still paying for your kids to go to college or have an aging parent with expenses that you cover.
When you look at your proposed retirement budget, remember that it should be able to cover the expenses of you and your spouse or significant other. Any additional people you're paying for on a fixed income could cause you financial problems later on.
Bottom line
/images/2022/10/14/woman_relax_enjoying_sofa_furniture_of_outdoor_patio.jpg)
So, can you retire early? Maybe. Check your portfolio to see how much you've saved overall, and remember to factor in any monthly costs that will have to be covered when you're on a fixed income.
Meeting with a financial adviser might help you make some decisions about your retirement and provide the peace of mind to retire now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.2 <p>See website for details.</p> No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.
Become a member and enjoy discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, and more.
Helps to identify and prevent fraud in real-time with 24/7 U.S.-based support.
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.