5 Biggest Money Mistakes When Retiring in the Midwest

July 2, 2024 DINARRECAPS8

Gina Hagler Mon, July 1, 2024

Retiring with little to no savings is a situation that even Americans who made the effort to save can find themselves in. Creating a nest egg is the important first step, but there are a number of ways that you can end up poorly managing it — before and after retiring.

Some of the universal mistakes include taking on too much risk or withdrawing too much, too soon. While the Midwest is attractive to retirees for its relative affordability, retiring still requires careful planning.

If you’re retiring in the Midwest, these are the biggest areas of concern through which you could slip up, according to Johnson Wealth and Income Management.

Retiring Too Early

A Bureau of Labor Statistics survey found that the average boomer-aged worker in Iowa switches jobs roughly 12 times, while a Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey recently indicated that workers are struggling to find jobs that offer higher wages and stronger benefits among the rising cost of living.

It’s recommended to not change jobs or leave the workforce without fully assessing the options you have available. You could end up losing out on 401(k) employer contributions and stock options without remaining employed for a certain period of time.

Not Accounting for Taxes

If you have a 401(k), traditional IRA or other tax-deferred account, you need to be mindful that taxes will eat a portion of your balance. If your tax bracket will be higher post-retirement, a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) is a good idea so that your withdrawals will be tax free. If your tax bracket will be lower, opt for a traditional IRA or 401(k) so you pay lower taxes after retiring.

South Dakota is a Midwestern state with no personal income tax. This contributes to it being seen as a good place to retire, according to Travel + Leisure, but don’t forget that you still have to consider the overall tax burden (i.e., property taxes).

Not Considering Future Healthcare