Baby Boomer Generation needs to make the Most from an Inheritance [VIDEO]
August 18th, 2008
[VIDEO] Speculation that the Baby Boomer Generation is going to be coming into a huge transfer of wealth from inheritance may not be a rosy picture.
Speculation that the Baby Boomer Generation is going to be coming into a huge transfer of wealth from inheritance may not be a rosy picture.
Despite wishful thinking and optimistic news reports, inheritances are not likely to bail out Baby Boomers who haven’t been saving for our retirement. AARP’s new study, In Their Dreams: What Will Boomers Inherit? (2006), finds that about one-fifth of Baby Boomer households have received inheritances. And only 15 percent of us still expect to receive one. Further, of the Baby Boomer Generation families who have received an inheritance, the median value was about $64,000. While this is a nice chunk of change, it’s not likely to solve all of our financial and retirement needs.
Start saving today. Since the Baby Boomer Generation can’t count on an inheritance, we are encouraged to save enough money to retire comfortably. Find out how much you need to save now for a secure retirement. To save on taxes while growing your retirement fund, participate in the retirement accounts where you work (401ks) and IRAs.
If we do receive an inheritance, make the most of it. Here are some tips:
Don’t Do Anything - Losing a family member is difficult. Take some time to grieve. In the meantime, park the money in a stable, liquid account such as a money market account. You can afford to take a couple of months to deal with your emotional needs rather than rushing into investments that you may regret later.
Don’t Blow It – When you receive an inheritance, you may feel rich. It’s OK to spend some of it on yourself, but don’t blow it all on a boat or a trip that you really can’t afford.
Make a Plan – So what are you going to do with the money? Make a plan. It forces you to really think about what you want to do.
Pay off Debt – Consider paying off high-interest consumer or credit card debt.
Invest for the Future – Think about using the money to build a secure future. Figure out how much you need to save for retirement and invest wisely.
Inheriting IRAs – If you inherit an IRA, you can continue to take advantage of tax-deferred savings as a beneficiary. The rules are different for spouses and non-spouses, and traditional and Roth IRAs. Check with an estate attorney.
How to Live Off Inheritance
Let’s face it, we’ve all thought about the possibility of inheriting some money at one time or another. The best tip we can get is to make the most of it.
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