Follow Us: Google+
 
Bankrate.com

retirement

Leave your nest egg in savings account?

Don TaylorDear Dr. Don,
I don't own a home and have about $100,000 in a savings account that yields very little interest. I am 58 years old and plan to work until full retirement. I have a six-figure income and save about $2,000 a month. Is a savings account the best place to keep this money? Or are there other good (and safe) ways to maintain my nest egg?
-- Lo-Ann Allocation

Dear Lo-Ann,
A savings account certainly isn't the best way. Your principal may be protected by the savings account's Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insurance. But the interest is so low that your purchasing power is diminished by inflation over time.

You need to look at the big picture before you decide how to invest this money. The goal is to meet your income needs in retirement. Will you receive Social Security benefits when you retire? I'm going to assume that you will. Will you also receive a pension? If yes, both it and Social Security will meet part of your retirement income needs.

If you can save $2,000 a month, and you have about 90 months until your Social Security full retirement age of 66 (I assumed you were 58 ½), that's an extra $180,000 in savings on top of your current $100,000. Even if you retire at age 66, you should consider not filing for Social Security benefits until age 70, so you will earn delayed retirement credits. Using your savings to finance your retirement income needs between ages 66 and 70 can be a smart financial decision.

As you approach retirement age, it makes sense to dial back on the risk in your investments. You've dialed risk, at least risk to principal, down to zero, but you're not earning a high enough yield to keep pace with inflation.

I suggest meeting with a financial planner to discuss your retirement income needs and how you should be investing to meet those needs. I'd prefer that you meet with a fee-only planner and pay for a couple of hours of their time. And keep interviewing planners until you find one that you like.

Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.

Ask the adviser

To ask a question of Dr. Don, go to the "Ask the Experts" page and select one of these topics: "Financing a home," "Saving & Investing" or "Money." Read more Dr. Don columns for additional personal finance advice.

Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.

advertisement

Show Bankrate's community sharing policy
            Connect with us
Compare MMA Rates



advertisement
Most Read
  1. Beach towns with bargain homes
  2. 6 tips for successful yard sale
  3. Nick Nolte's house for sale
  4. 5 costliest tickets for car insurance
  5. 7 sedans for the young at heart
  6. 5 car models that lose value
  7. Ali Landry's house for sale
  8. Headlight requirements by state
  9. 9 gas-only, fuel-efficient cars
  10. 8 eerie ghost towns
Overnight Averages
Product Rate +/- Last week
30 yr fixed mtg
3.77% 3.60%
15 yr fixed mtg
2.88% 2.74%
5/1 ARM
2.66% 2.54%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
$30K HELOC
4.98% 4.99%
$30K home equity loan
6.17% 6.19%
$50K HELOC
4.56% 4.56%
View rates in your area:
Product Rate +/- Last week
48 month used car loan
2.92% 2.93%
48 month new car loan
2.45% 2.45%
36 month used car loan
2.88% 2.88%
View rates in your area:
Product Yield +/- Last week
6 month CD
0.45% 0.41%
1 yr CD
0.67% 0.62%
5 yr CD
1.24% 1.22%
Compare rates:
Product Rate
Balance Transfer Cards 15.92%
Cash Back Cards 16.34%
Low Interest Cards 11.01%
Compare rates:
How are 401(k) investors doing? We're doing the best we can, given the circumstances.
advertisement
Partner Center
advertisement

Advertising Disclosure: Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Bankrate may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.