Is Your Debt Crippling Your Future Retirement?
We have all been told to save for retirement. We need the “Magic Number” before we can retire. What about having debt during retirement? Most retirement planning calculators ignore debt and debt payments can limit the amount of future income and can wreak havoc on retirement. A comprehensive financial plan considers debt in the retirement equation providing a tool and process to fully answer the retirement questions.
Studies Show Debt is Increasing for those Entering Retirement
More of us than ever before have debt going into retirement. A study by Lusardi, Mitchell and Oggero entitled “Debt Close to Retirement and Its Implications for Retirement Well-being,” quotes numerous findings demonstrating that those nearing retirement have increased borrowing at all economic levels. Based on a 2015 NFCS survey of persons from age 56 to 61, 37% had mortgages, 11% had home equity loans, 14.6% still had student loan debt, 29.6% carried auto loan debt and, 36.4% had credit card debt with a balance paying interest. And more concerning, 23% had what they called, “expensive credit card behavior” meaning, “paying the minimum only, paying late or over-the-limit fees, or using credit cards for cash advances.”
Debt is a Presumption of the Future
When we take out debt, we presume that we will have future income that will both cover living expenses and the additional payments we promise to make. We effectively reduce our future income. For the retiree with adequate income and assets, debt might be okay. The retiree that has cash in an account to purchase a car that takes a no interest loan might come out ahead. And at any time, they have the power to pay off that debt. However, often debt is a decision that can cripple future living.
Debt in Retirement Limits Lifestyle
Of course, a debt payment means higher total expenses, but it doesn’t stop there. Debt usually means more expense due to the added interest. Additional debt and interest require higher retirement distributions. Higher distributions from IRA accounts increase taxable income and can increase the likelihood Social Security income will also be taxed. And for many, the result of the compounding expenses due to debt eventually lead to the need for a cut to lifestyle and live on less. To the 23% with “expensive” debt behavior in the study, even more expenses come due to late payments and higher interest costs which further the cycle of limits on lifestyle.
Financial Planning Answers the Questions
While some debt might be considered “okay”, most we know is not. How do we know? The answer comes in a financial plan. It pulls together all the other pieces of the story and provides a structure to answer the question. A financial plan provides possible options, strategies and answers. It is a tool and process that fully answers the retirement equation. Do I have enough for retirement, including debt?