For many middle-class Americans, retirement is a time to finally enjoy the life they’ve dreamed of. But too often certain habits sabotage those dreams, leaving many stressed about money instead of enjoying their freedom. While some of these habits, like overspending, are obvious, others are harder to spot until it’s too late.
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Here are the top four habits financial experts warn that, unless you address them early, you risk turning your retirement years into a constant struggle to make ends meet.
Carrying High-Interest Debt Into Retirement
One of the most damaging habits is carrying high-interest debt into retirement. These debts don’t go away when you stop working. And when you’re on a fixed income, they can drain your savings faster.
“That could be due to credit card balances, personal loans, or even high-interest car loans. When you no longer have an income and are trying to live off of fixed income sources, it can make life very difficult for the middle class, and it takes them backwards,” said Chad Gammon, founder of Custom Fit Financial.
This habit creates unnecessary financial stress and forces you to use funds meant for everyday living to cover mounting interest payments. The earlier you eliminate high-interest debt, the better prepared you’ll be for retirement.
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Lacking a Tax Strategy for Withdrawals
Taxes may not be the first thing retirees think about, but they can quietly eat away at their savings. Without a clear withdrawal strategy, you may end up paying more than necessary.
“Looking at your withdrawal strategy can help save money by not spending it on unnecessary taxes. A smart withdrawal plan strategy can help stretch your retirement dollars,” added Gammon.
By planning withdrawals in advance, you can reduce your tax burden and make your money last longer.
Ignoring Longevity Risk
Another habit that destroys middle-class retirement dreams is failing to account for longevity risk. Many people underestimate how long they’ll live or how much they’ll need to support themselves in their golden years. This often leads to over-withdrawing, ending up running out of savings sooner.
“Not treating longevity risk like a balance-sheet liability is a habit that erodes many middle-class retirement dreams. This then forces retirees to guess at what their withdrawal rate should be and take out of the savings faster than they’d planned to,” said Yehuda Tropper, CEO at Beca Life Settlements.
It’s always smart to plan as if you’ll live longer than expected and treat longevity as a financial obligation you must prepare for. This could mean delaying Social Security or building a larger financial cushion.
Treating a Home as a Retirement Plan
Many middle-class Americans see their home as their biggest asset, which it actually is. However, allocating every extra cash into the house and neglecting contributions to retirement accounts is like treating your home as a retirement plan.
“It’s common for me to see clients who pour every extra dollar they have into mortgage principal payments and home improvements because they’re convinced that real estate is their ticket to financial security,” said Rich Jacoby, CEO at GoldenCrest Metals. “They might allocate $50K on a kitchen remodel but contribute the minimum to their 401(k) and ignore their employer’s matching program. I find this habit to be financially catastrophic in a lot of cases, because homes don’t provide retirement income.”
While owning a paid-off home is every American’s dream, it shouldn’t replace a diversified retirement portfolio.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The No. 1 Habit That Destroys Middle-Class Retirement Dreams
