Beginning your retirement is a great milestone that is worth celebrating. You have put in many years of hard work, and you are now able to focus your energy on the next phase of your life. However, before you begin this next chapter, you need to make sure that you have fully thought through this exciting change in your life. This blog examines retirement plans.
What to Consider in Retirement Plans
If You Have an Existing Estate Plan
A properly executed and legally binding estate plan is a great first step toward ensuring ensures someone takes care of your loved ones. However, estate planning is not a one-and-done event. It is important that you review your plan every year or so, and especially after major life events such as the beginning of your retirement. When considering your existing plan, ask yourself the following key questions:
Do you still own the same property or have the same account balances as when your plan was first created? What will the balances be like at your death? Chances are, you put money into investment or retirement accounts during your working years to prepare for this next chapter. While you may have a lot today, you need to be aware that this value may decrease once you start withdrawing from those accounts.
Does your plan assume that your children or other young beneficiaries are still minors? A birth usually prompts parents to have an estate plan created. However, once it has been drafted, many parents continue living their lives without giving much thought to their estate plan. If it has been some time since your estate plan was created, your then-minor children are likely now adults or approaching adulthood. Your focus may no longer be on choosing the right guardians but on ensuring that your adult children’s needs are properly addressed in your documents.
Does your plan rely on proceeds from an employer-provided life insurance policy? As part of an employment package, many employers offer life insurance. However, this policy may no longer exist once you are no longer working. If you were relying on these proceeds to provide for your loved ones at death, you will need to explore other options.
Do you want to change beneficiary distribution for your retirement plans?
Imagine that your will or trust provided the estate holds $300,000 in a trust for your only child’s benefit. Then, it stipulates distribution when they turn 35. However, your bank account could total less than $300,000 when you die.
Also, if your child is now thirty-five or older, any money and property would be given to them automatically based on the provisions in your documents. Are you still okay with that? Now that your child is older and you have a better understanding of their needs and abilities, you may want to consider changing how they receive the money and property. They may require more than you had originally planned, or perhaps they are successful enough that they would be fine without an inheritance from you.
If You Do Not Have an Estate Plan or Failed to Complete One
Do not procrastinate any longer. The only way to truly protect yourself and your loved ones is to have an intentional and legally enforceable estate plan. To begin thinking about your estate plan, you need to evaluate your new lifestyle and answer questions such as the following:
- What accounts and property do you own?
To make sure that we craft a comprehensive plan, we all need to be on the same page about what you own and the value of your money and property. From there, we can help you determine what will happen to this money and property if you are unable to care for yourself and at your death. - What are the current needs of your loved ones?
Based upon your unique situation, you should determine the needs of your loved ones and whether you are able to support their needs during your lifetime (if necessary) and at your death. - Can you accomplish your goals with what you have?
Working with an experienced professional, you can consider the answers to the first two questions and determine how likely it is that you will be able to carry out all of your wishes. Together, we can examine all options and come up with the best possible solution for you and your loved ones.
About Skvarna Law Firm in Glendora and Upland, California
Let a skilled attorney assist with your estate plan. So, contact us today to learn about your options (909) 608-7671. We operate offices in Glendora and Upland, California. Therefore, we provide legal services for individuals living in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. This includes the cities of Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Montclair, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.
