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3 Financial Pitfalls to Avoid in Retirement

March 12, 2021 | Chris Kowalik

A financially stable retirement depends on knowing what to do – and what not to do – with your benefits, money and assets. Federal retirement expert, Chris Kowalik, provides some common pitfalls to watch out for (and what to do about them)

 

 

We all look forward to retirement as a rewarding and pleasurable time of our lives.

A financially stable life in retirement depends on knowing what to do – and what not to do – with your benefits, money and assets, as your federal career winds down.

Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for, and what to do about them.

Pitfall #1: Underestimating Your Taxes in Retirement

The tax consequences in retirement can be overwhelming when you consider all of the benefits you have available to you. Many people do not fully understand how they’ll be taxed in retirement. You may think that your tax burden will be less when you retire.

Many federal employees wholeheartedly believe that they will be in a lower tax bracket in retirement than they are right now. What actually ends up happening, is that most people end up in the exact same tax bracket that they are in right before they retire from federal service.

Tip: Recognize that taxes are very real in retirement. Take the time to work with your tax professional or financial planner and put a tax strategy in place, so you’re not blindsided by any larger-than-expected tax obligations.

SEE ALSO: 4 Myths About Taxes in Retirement

Pitfall #2: Not Understanding How Your Benefits Change in Retirement

Many of your federal benefits have served you very well while you were working; however, these benefits change upon your retirement. Many federal employees fail to understand the effects of their elections of benefits at retirement and how one can affect another.

For example, many people don’t understand how FEHB works in retirement and that in order to keep it in retirement, you must have it prior to retiring for 5 years and be eligible for an immediate pension.

Tip: As a federal employee, you’re responsible for all of the elections that you make. So, be sure that you have the information you need regarding how your benefits will change in retirement before making any important decisions.

SEE ALSO:  3 Myths About FEHB in Retirement

Pitfall #3: Expecting Your Pension Payment Right Away

Some federal employees may expect their pension payments shortly after retiring. In reality, it could be anywhere between a couple of months to 6 months in most cases but could be more. The reason for this delay is that OPM is adjudicating your retirement benefits during this time.

Tip: Plan on not receiving your full pension payments until 9-12 months after you retire. You should ensure that you’ve planned to cover your expenses with other sources of income in that interim.

SEE ALSO:  How to Deal With OPM’s Delay in Retirement Application Processing

Federal employees nearing retirement can benefit from avoiding these common pitfalls. If you understand the circumstances, situations and events you may encounter in retirement, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding these kind of “snags.”

Related:

  • 4 Myths About Taxes in Retirement
  • 3 Myths About FEHB in Retirement
  • The 5-Year Rule: Keeping Your Federal Health Benefits and Life Insurance After Retirement
  • How to Deal With OPM's Delay in Retirement Application Processing

About Chris Kowalik


Chris Kowalik is a federal retirement expert and frequent speaker to federal employee groups nationwide. In her highly-acclaimed Federal Retirement Impact Workshops, she empowers employees to make confident decisions as they plan for the days when they no longer have to work. Chris’ candid and straightforward nature allows employees to get the answers they need, and to understand the impact these decisions have on their retirement.

Free Training Available for Federal Employees

Live Workshop: Get the workshop schedule to attend a live FedImpact workshop near you.

Virtual: Get a list of the dates and times of available virtual (web-based) workshops here.


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