You might have been told to save early for retirement. But what if you’re already in your 30s?
You now have more responsibilities than you used to have, with a mortgage to pay and a mouth to feed. Saving for retirement might not be at the top of your list of priorities, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to start.
After all, although you have more responsibilities, you probably also earn more money than in your 20s. The more money you have, the more you can save. These seven tips for saving for retirement at 30 will help motivate you.
1. Think about your future
Before you start retirement planning, you should know how much money you need to save. And to do this, you need to think about your future.
Even though retirement sounds like a distant goal, you need to start planning. Would you like to retire early? Do you want to travel, live in a mansion, or simply spend time enjoying your loved ones’ company?
You should use an online retirement calculator to determine how much money you need to meet your retirement goals.
2. Keep saving for retirement or start doing it
If you are already contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement fund such as an RRSP, you must keep doing it. Be sure to make your contribution to the maximum level each year. The money should be deducted from your paycheque, and your employer might also contribute to the fund on your behalf.
If you have not contributed to an employer-sponsored pension plan yet, start as soon as possible. It’s also a wise idea to open a TFSA and save money. Your money will grow tax-free until you retire.
3. Speak with a financial advisor
If you have never spoken with a financial advisor, you should consider doing it now that you are serious about saving for retirement at 30.
Your financial advisor will help you plan for your financial future. He will help you ensure you and your family are secure and comfortable when you retire. No matter what your goals are for your future, a financial advisor will make it easier to reach them.
4. Have a diversified portfolio
An investment portfolio can help your money grow. You can take some calculated risks since you are in your 30s and still far from retirement.
It’s recommended to have a diversified portfolio and not put all your eggs in the same basket. This way, if some of your assets don’t perform well in the long term, others might perform better.
If you don’t know much about investing, ask your financial advisor to help you start and recommend a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets.
5. Make sure saving for your retirement remains a priority
You must dedicate some of your income to your children. It’s never too early to start saving for college or university. However, as you think about your kid’s future, don’t forget to think about your own.
Saving for retirement should remain one of your priorities. After all, if you don’t take advantage of all the opportunities to save money to ensure you can be comfortable when you retire, no one will do it for you.
6. Don’t leave your job for a better one if the timing is bad
Making a career change in your 30s makes sense. But you might want to wait a bit if the timing is bad.
Your employer’s pension plan might require you to work for some time before you can enjoy full benefits. If you are just about to reach such a milestone, it may be best to wait until leaving your current job for a new one. Being patient might reward you with a bigger retirement fund.
And when you do leave a job for a better one, be sure to roll over that retirement fund into a TFSA instead of cashing it out.
7. Make sure you have disability insurance
Finally, ensure you have disability insurance to protect your earnings. If an illness or injury prevents you from working, disability insurance will replace a portion of your income for a certain period. This should allow you to cover your living expenses without using your retirement fund.
If your employer doesn’t offer disability insurance that meets your needs, consider buying a policy alone.
