A look at the best of the Internet, from an SPP point of view

When working becomes the new saving

The boomers are often blamed for having had an easy time of things versus the younger generations – lower costs for education and housing, better employment opportunities, and so on.

Despite this apparent rosy and opportunity-ridden life path, however, new research shows that boomers – even the youngest tier – haven’t been savers.

According to a study by Franklin Templeton Investments Canada, reported on via Benefits Canada, a stunning 21 per cent of “younger baby boomers” haven’t saved anything for retirement.

Young boomers, “defined as those between the age of 55 and 64,” have a simple solution to their lack of saving, the article notes. Forty-six per cent of them, the report states, “said they would consider postponing retirement.” In plainer terms, they are extending their careers.

How long will the extension be? “Fifteen per cent of Canadians said they expect to work until the end of their life and 22 per cent said they don’t ever plan to retire,” the article states. However, paradoxically, about half of the young boomer group (54 per cent) “retired earlier than expected,” the article explains.

It’s sort of hard to imagine people working on into their 70s and 80s. Even if there is work to be had, will people’s health be good enough for them to keep at it? At best it seems like an iffy option.

“With life expectancy increasing and retirement savings becoming ever more challenging, due to the high costs of living, we are seeing increased concern over having enough money for retirement across all generations,” states Franklin Templeton’s Matthew Williams in the Benefits Canada article.  “Although it’s never too late to start saving, the best time to start contributing to retirement savings vehicles is when a person starts out in their career and may not have big financial commitments like a mortgage or childcare costs, and to find a way to maintain healthy savings habits as they age.”

Saving for retirement gives you options. You may be able to work less, and ultimately, not at all if your own savings augment your government retirement benefits. Your savings will also provide extra income, over and above that of any workplace pension you may be able to join.

If you haven’t started down the saving path, the Saskatchewan Pension Plan is worth a hard look. It’s open to any Canadian citizen, it’s been professionally run since the 1980s, has a strong record of good investment returns (at a low management expense) and has many options to turn your savings into an income stream when you retire.

Don’t let working be your savings plan – sign up for SPP today.

Written by Martin Biefer
	Martin Biefer is Senior Pension Writer at Avery & Kerr Communications in Nepean, Ontario. A veteran reporter, editor and pension communicator, he’s now a freelancer. Interests include golf, line dancing, classic rock, and darts. You can follow him on Twitter – his handle is @AveryKerr22

A look at the best of the Internet, from an SPP point of view

No generation is winning at retirement savings: research
You might think that one segment of society – the young, perhaps, or the middle aged, or even the old – would be on top of things with retirement saving.

But research suggests that ALL generations are having a tough time with it. According to recent research from Franklin Templeton Investments Canada – reported by the Canadian Press — all generations “appear to be facing challenges saving for and financing their retirement.”

What are the challenges? The article says longevity – the fact that everyone is living longer – is a big one. Parents of Gen Xers, the article notes, are “living longer and spending more of their money on things like health and travel.” That means there will be less to leave to their kids, the article reports.

Interest rates are the second problem. “Canadians have increasingly large levels of debt which become harder to carry as interest rates rise,” the article quotes Franklin Templeton Canada’s Matthew Williams as saying. More expensive debt repayment means less money for saving, the article suggests.

Finally, many of us just aren’t saving. “A quarter of Canadian Gen Xers haven’t saved anything for retirement,” the article notes. Barriers to saving for them include low income, high living costs, student loans and mortgages, the article reports. But it’s not just Gen Xers who are having problems. A surprising 23 per cent of pre-retiree boomers have saved nothing for retirement, the article states, with that figure rising to 50 per cent among younger millennials.

It’s never too late to start saving for retirement, and no amount is too little. A great way to help fund your retirement is to sign up for the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. If you’re already a member, bump up your contributions a little bit each year. You’ll be happy you did when life after work arrives.

What’s best about being retired?
For most of us, it is almost impossible to visualize what life will be like once we have punched the timeclock for the very last time.

A great blog post by Dave Bernard for US News and World Report breaks it down, listing three chief changes retirees will notice.

First, the post notes, you will finally have time to exercise. Bernard writes that now he can control “when and how” he exercises, rather than having to sneak off to do it at lunch. A second point is the sudden unimportance of weekends – they are just another day when you aren’t working. And finally, he says his creative energy has never been higher. It’s not so bad living on the other side of the fence!

 

Written by Martin Biefer

Martin Biefer is Senior Pension Writer at Avery & Kerr Communications in Nepean, Ontario. After a 35-year career as a reporter, editor and pension communicator, Martin is enjoying life as a freelance writer. He’s a mediocre golfer, hopeful darts player and beginner line dancer who enjoys classic rock and sports, especially football. He and his wife Laura live with their Sheltie, Duncan, and their cat, Toobins. You can follow him on Twitter – his handle is @AveryKerr22