Critical Retirement Planning Scenarios Every Soon-to-be Retiree Must Prepare for

Retirement Planning: 3 Essential Steps to Safeguard Your Finances

Before retiring, it's important to be prepared for three possible scenarios that could cost you a fortune. When you think about your retirement, chances are good you envision all of the fun and wonderful things you'll get to enjoy once you no longer have to go to work every day. Unfortunately, while you can dream of this ideal outcome, you need a plan in case things go wrong. Specifically, three scenarios could lead to major money troubles if you don't have a plan to deal with them.

1. A serious illness

• Medicare does not cover all healthcare costs for seniors. The Employee Benefit Research Institute found a senior couple with high prescription drug needs would require $413,000 in savings to have a 90% chance of covering all their care costs in retirement. Everyone must plan for potential major healthcare expenses.
• If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, investing in a health savings account (HSA) can be wise to cover medical costs tax-efficiently.
• It's important to have dedicated savings earmarked for medical spending in retirement to avoid financial hardship.

2. A need for long-term care

1. Genworth's Cost of Care survey indicates high costs for long-term care services. Without a plan, you may deplete your assets or rely on Medicaid. Consider long-term care insurance to safeguard savings.

3. The death of a spouse

• Plan for reduced income after the death of a spouse, especially Social Security benefits. Ensure adequate savings to supplement lost income and make informed Social Security claiming decisions to maximize survivor benefits.

Preparing for these scenarios is crucial to avoiding financial disaster in retirement.