Be Productive / feature posts / Featured

5 Ways To Supplement Social Security In Retirement

Share This Post

5 Ways To Supplement Social Security In Retirement
5 Ways To Supplement Social Security In Retirement
Most individuals and couples cannot live on only their social security income. It would require a drastic change of lifestyle as social security will replace about 40% of average retirement income. Since most of us want to maintain a lifestyle at least close to what we are used to living, we start searching for ways to add supplemental income.

Annuities are popular and one way to add income. However, they are not the only way. There are some cons to annuities such as high fees.

Alternative ways to supplement social security income include:

Bond Laddering

A well-known con of bonds is that they pay low-interest rates. Bond laddering can help you get income when you need it while allowing you to boost future income if rates happen to rise.

Dividends

Dividends

Investing in stocks can be another way to supplement retirement income. There are dividend growth stocks which have a solid history of increasing dividend payments. This kind of stock may pay more than you can get from some intermediate-term investment-grade bonds. Another option if you aren’t ready to select individual stocks is to invest in a diverse assortment of these companies through Exchanged Traded Funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.

Own your own business

Own your own business

It’s another viable way to supplement your income. A retired couple can buy, start or invest in a small business. While it adds revenue to your life and helps you maintain a desired lifestyle, it can also help you stay active and avoid boredom. Owning your own business is not without cons because of risk, time commitment and the demands of the work.

Real Estate

Real Estate

Real estate investing is another way to supplement retirement income. It can also increase your net worth. With mortgages, you don’t have to have a lot of money to begin investing in real estate. As with any of these alternative ways to supplement retirement income, these are not without cons. Cons can include the risk involved, vacancies, damage to property, unexpected maintenance.

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages

A Reverse Mortgage means the bank makes payments to you in exchange for your equity. A homeowner sixty-two years of age or older must own enough equity in their home for this to make sense. Interest accumulates on the outstanding balance, but you never have to pay back the reverse mortgage unless you sell your home. Reverse Mortgages are paid off when the house is sold after death or during your lifetime. While a reverse mortgage is not without cons, it could be a way to supplement retirement income that makes sense for your situation.

What Alternative Method Works For Your Retirement Situation?

Discovering which one is the right choice for you depends on several factors including your commitment level, risk level and time you wish to participate actively. These are merely some thoughts that might help you realize there are other choices in addition to or beside annuities and fixed-income options.

After Fifty Living™ was founded by Jo-Anne Lema, a genuine Boomer and member of the 50+ generation. As she likes to say, “Our enormous generation is charting new territory – we’re healthier, better educated, and more financially fit than any other generation at this time. And, as we march through history, 110 million strong – unique, new issues are developing. It’s exciting to be a part of the development and growth of AfterFiftyLiving.com. This is a historic solution for a historic generation.”

Jo-Anne spent many years in the financial and operations side of higher education after having received a doctorate in education management and administration from Harvard, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Launching out on her own, though, has been the fulfillment of a life dream. Jo-Anne believes that “AfterFiftyLiving™ will delight its visitors, catalyze its partners, and will significantly benefit those who engage it.”

Residing in New England along with her husband of 35+ years, she never ceases to brag about her two children and 4 grandkids!

Share This Post

Leave a Reply

Lost Password

Register

Like Our Page!

Receive our updates via Facebook!