Procrastination Isn't Pretty: 6 Reasons To Consult A Retirement Planner Long Before You Retire

Procrastination may allow you to enjoy the moment, but eventually, you know what you're putting off is going to catch up with you. If what you're putting off is as important as retirement, procrastinating is the last thing you should be doing. Here's why you need to stop procrastinating, and talk to a retirement planner, sooner, rather than later.

1. Time Flies Faster Than You Realize

Even if you're very young and just beginning your career, there's never a time when it's too early to start thinking of retirement. Before you know it, decades have gone by, and if you didn't plan for your retirement well, you could be up the creek. More and more older folks are being forced to work later in life and if you'd rather spend your golden years traveling or enjoying a new house in a warmer climate, you'd better start planning now.

2. A Simple Savings Account May Not Be Enough For Retirement

Some people simply start saving money, expecting it to grow over the years and be ready for them once they've stopped working. A simple savings account probably won't grow as much or as fast as you're hoping, but it's also subject to your withdrawal, as needed. For example, when your auto breaks down or your child is heading off to college, where do the funds come from for that? A retirement planner can show you where to put your money so it's tucked safely out of reach and will earn a good return for you, far beyond ordinary interest rates.

3. You Probably Need More Money Than You Think

Estimating how much you need to retire can be very difficult and this isn't something you want to take chances with. You certainly don't want to wait until you're in retirement to discover that you underestimated your aging needs. Also, even if you're wise with money and plan to be frugal after retirement, you may not be able to be such a penny-pincher when that time arrives.

4. Your Situation Will Change As You Get Older

As of now, you may have calculated exactly what you expect to earn over the years and when you'll start to apply those funds to retirement; however, situations can and often do change. You may get an unexpected promotion or another windfall, and that should be applied to retirement or other savings/investment account right away. On the other hand, you could experience a drop in income, meaning you'll need to be leaner in one way or another. Situations change and if you're not constantly updating your retirement plans to accommodate those changes, you're probably short-changing your retirement.

5. Health Care Expenses Can Obliterate Your Retirement Funds

One of the biggest expenses retirees face is health care, and unfortunately, many people aren't prepared. Talk to a planner who can help you anticipate your needs and actually fulfill them, rather than just hope everything will be okay. Insurance, investments, and other key factors mean the difference between a healthy and happy retirement and one plagued by insurmountable medical bills. 

6. A Retirement Planner Gives You Peace Of Mind

For most people, just the thought of figuring out the financial aspects of retirement is enough to give them a headache, which likely means they keep putting the whole thing off. Let a planner think for you, offer you sound advice, and reassure you that everything (for the most part) will be under control. That peace of mind can actually improve your health, as stress is a known contributor to heart disease and other ailments you'd much rather avoid, especially as you get older. 

Retirement is just too important to put off, especially if you're a serial procrastinator. You know your delays, excuses, and avoidance are going to catch up to you eventually, but by the time you retire, it will be too late to catch up. 


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