Bankrate.com

Retirement Basics
An egg and money in a bird's nest with at $1 bill in the background
retirement
Don't let inflation derail your retirement

It's not enough just to save for retirement. You also need to make sure your money lasts once you quit working.

How long you stretch those dollars depends on variables such as your age at retirement, your health and inflation. A healthy lifestyle and savvy career maneuvering can help you manage the first two challenges. But many people don't pay enough attention to inflation, says Steven Kaye, CFP and president of American Economic Planning Group.

"Most people have some understanding of the basic definition of inflation. They may know a loaf of bread will cost $10 one day," says Kaye. "But because inflation comes in very tiny doses -- just 2 percent to 3 percent a year -- most people don't fully appreciate its impact."

Loaf of bread once cost a nickel

Historically, inflation has clipped along at an annual 3-percent pace, on average. That means if you currently live on $50,000 a year, in 30 years, you'd need around $121,000 annually.

What do you do about price hikes? Plan conservatively, says Dee Lee, author of "Let's Talk Money." She advises clients to assume inflation will grow higher than traditional averages -- at least 4 percent annually.

advertisement

Compare MMA Rates



advertisement
This winter, my 65-year-old accountant husband is working at our Florida condo one week and flying back to Detroit to work in the
Bankrate on Facebook
advertisement
Is your money safe?
or ? See your bank, thrift or credit union's star rating. Find one that's safe enough for you.
Partner Center
advertisement