Building a foundation for retirement
It takes time to build up your savings, including savings for retirement. Luckily, if you start now, it may feel less daunting down the road.
[Visual of “Building a foundation for retirement”]
[Visual disclaimer: *Please read important information at the end of video.]
Retirement can mean different things for different people. It could mean stopping work entirely and traveling the country. Or it might mean quitting a full-time job to work part time and pursue something you love.
Now, if you’re just getting started in a career, you may not be thinking about when you want to retire.
Or what kind of lifestyle you want when you do.
But just because you’re not thinking about it yet doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start preparing for it.
Because the earlier you start saving for your retirement, the more flexibility you’ll have to create the future you want.
[Visual title: Investing for retirement]
One way to get started is to open a retirement account and start contributing to it regularly.
You can then choose to invest that money in things like stocks, bonds and mutual funds. By investing, you’re giving your retirement fund the opportunity to potentially grow over time.
There are, of course, some risks to investing.
Investment accounts aren’t FDIC insured, and aren’t bank guaranteed.
And as the market rises and falls, investments can lose value.
However, historically, over the long term, there have been periods in which the market has recovered losses.
It’s also worth noting that some investments can be riskier or more volatile than others.
And while not all investments may do well, on a whole, market growth has historically outpaced the rate of inflation.
Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
But investing is one way of potentially offsetting the effects of inflation on your money over the long term.
[Visual title: Retirement investment accounts]
Now, let’s look at two types of retirement investment accounts you might encounter.
Of course, there are many more, but for now, we’re just going to focus on two of the most common ones.
[Visual zoom-in on IRA and 401(k)]
Sometimes they’re referred to as retirement vehicles.
You could even think of them as vehicles that can carry your money toward your financial goals.
Some retirement accounts might be offered through your employer, like a 401(k). Other accounts you can set up on your own, like individual retirement accounts or IRAs.
Employer plans, like 401(k)s, are often set up so you can automatically set aside a portion of your paycheck to help build your account.
Some companies even help out, by contributing an additional amount of money to your account.
[Visual of an employer making a matching contribution]
This can be an excellent benefit to take advantage of.
Accounts you set up on your own, like IRAs, won’t have that employer match. But you’ll have the freedom to shop around for an account that’s right for you – and typically choose between a larger selection of investments. You can manage these accounts on your own, or have a professional help you.
Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs offer tax advantages, but they also have potential drawbacks.
For example, you could be charged a substantial amount of additional tax if you withdraw money from them early.
[Visual of tax and additional penalty tax being subtracted from the early withdrawal]
Basically, they’re designed to encourage you to set money aside for retirement, and discourage you from being tempted to use the money you’ve invested before you retire.
Whatever you might envision for your future, if you start early enough, time is on your side.
By doing your own research or working with a professional, you can start to create an investment plan that takes your personal goals and ideal retirement date into consideration.
Starting a retirement account early and adding to it often can give you more options and flexibility in the future.
End card:
Better Money Habits®
Powered by Bank of America
BetterMoneyHabits.com
The material provided on this video is for informational use only and is not intended for financial or investment advice.
Bank of America Corporation and/or its affiliates assume no liability for any loss or damages resulting from one’s reliance on the material provided. Please also note that such material is not updated regularly and that some of the information may not therefore be current. Consult with your own financial professional when making decisions regarding your financial or investment management.
Bank of America and its affiliates do not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making financial decisions.
Investment products:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
©2020 Bank of America Corporation.
Up Next
Contact Us
-
We're here to help. Reach out by visiting our
Contact page or schedule an appointment today. - Schedule an appointment
Investment products:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
Bank of America and its affiliates do not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.