Baby Boomers Face Many Financial Headwinds as they Approach Retirement As droves of Baby Boomers are reaching retirement (about 10,000 a day), many are finding themselves wondering if they will outlive their retirement savings. Recently, Forrester conducted a survey on Baby Boomers’ retirement outlook, and the results are troubling to say the least. According to the study, 2 out of 3 Baby Boomers were predominantly concerned about outliving their retirement savings (Annexus Releases, 2018). Nevertheless, Baby Boomers would be prudent in understanding where they are in the current economic cycle. After ten years of quantitative easing, with Federal funds rates near zero, the monetary policy set forth by the Federal Reserve has the economy on the path of rising interest rates. As the Fed gradually increases rates, Boomers will find that higher interest rates will act like a double-edged sword on their retirement funds. Many other macroeconomic factors will weigh on retirement …show more content…
China immediately responded with 50 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods. Although the tariffs are not yet set in stone, world markets remain on edge. If a trade-war were to ensue, inflation and the prices of goods would rise substantially, negatively affecting retirement savings. This could also prompt the Fed to raise interest rates faster than anticipated, adding further strain. If we look back at the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, history shows that imposing tariffs may not be in the best interest to resolve trade disputes. When Smoot-Hawley took effect, the unemployment rate was at eight percent, and rose to twenty-five percent three years later as world trade slowed. With international trade uncertainties looming, other macro events threaten Boomers’ retirement portfolio’s as
The light of the global recession, assess the likely economics effects of an increase in protectionism on the world economy. (15 marks)
The push for Congress to pass legislation protecting the rights of employees and their retirement was inevitable. Retirement plans are extremely important for all working individuals. Having funds to keep or exceed ones current standard of living and to enjoy one’s life beyond expectations after retire...
Archibald, Robert, and David Feldman. "Investment during the Great Depression: Uncertainty and the Role of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff." Southern Economic Journal. 64. no. 4 (1998): 857-879. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1061208 (accessed October 7, 2011).
In The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008, Paul Krugman warns us that America’s gloomy future might parallel those of other countries. Like diseases that are making a stronger, more resistant comeback, the causes of the Great Depression are looming ahead and much more probable now after the great housing bubble in 2002. In his new and revised book, he emphasizes even more on the busts of Japan and the crises in Latin America (i.e: Argentina), and explains how and why several specific events--recessions, inflationary spiraling, currency devaluations--happened in many countries. Although he still does not give us any solid options or specific steps to take to save America other than those proposed by other economists, he thoroughly examines international policies and coherently explains to us average citizens how the world is globalizing--that the world is becoming flatter and countries are now even more dependent on each other.
The United States has for over two centuries been involved in the growing world economy. While the U.S. post revolutionary war sought to protect itself from outside influences has since the great depression and world war two looked to break trade restrictions. The United States role in the global economy has grown throughout the 20th century and as a result of several historical events has adopted positions of both benefactor and dependent. The United States trade policy has over time shifted from isolationist protectionism to a commitment to establishing world-wide free trade. Free trade enterprise has developed and grown through organizations such as the WTO and NAFTA. The U.S. in order to obtain its free trade desires has implemented a number of policies that can be examined for both their benefits and flaws. Several trade policies exist as options to the United States, among these fair trade and free trade policies dominate the world economic market. In order to achieve economic growth the United States has a duty to maintain a global trade policy that benefits both domestic workers and industry. While free trade gives opportunities to large industries and wealthy corporate investors the American worker suffers job instability and lower wages. However fair trade policies that protect America’s workers do not help foster wide economic growth. The United States must then engage in economic trade policies that both protect the United States founding principles and secure for tomorrow greater economic stability.
boomers take their knowledge and skills with them as they face retirement. As of now
Retirees over the age of sixty two in the United States are estimated by an independent financial survey to be sitting on over one trillion dollars in total assets. That money mostly lies in financial institutions gathering interest while needy family members suffer impatiently waiting for the day when it will be their inheritance. But not all seniors are that callous, they give away their money to loved ones before they die. There is no better way for the elderly to show that they care. Those that do can enjoy the pleasure of watching their money being spent. It is a joy that they would never experience if they waited until their death.
People of all ages should begin planning for retirement and managing their money well so they are ensured enough income when they do retire. Retirees estimate that people will need 71% of their pre-retirement income to maintain their current lifestyles. Stocks and 401(k) plans are recommended.FactsNonretired Americans with household incomes that average more than $50,000 assumes they won't be able to retire until age 59.More than a third of affluent retirees with children and grandchildren are helping to support them financially, as are 29% of all retirees. Also, nearly a quarter of all retirees whose parents are alive are helping them financially.Fully 48% of the affluent who aren't retired as well as of all people surveyed who aren't retired believe they have to work part time in retirement.
There are extensive studies on retirement covering education in general. The findings suggest that education is an important factor in affecting retirement planning preparedness (Hogarth, 1985; Joo&Pauwels, 2002). Education enables individuals to explore more information relating to their retirement planning and that sources of information will influence their decisions, attitude and intention to do retirement planning (Hogarth, 1985; Joo&Pauwels, 2002). Also, DeVaney (1995) addressed that the effect of education level may serve as a motivator or guidance for individuals to start the preparation for retirement planning. With the increase in age and educational level, individual tends to be more motivated to work on retirement planning preparation or take some action for their retirement (DeVaney, 1995).
... will take your retirement, even if it seems too far ahead, more seriously. I am including these graphs and a questionnaire to let you see some statistics of U.S. citizen’s opinions. From a CNN/POLL: Financial Condition of Social Security Crisis 31% Problems, not a crisis 55% No problem 10% Asked of all Americans Will Social Security go bankrupt before you retire? Yes 54% No 42% Asked of Americans under age of 65 If Social Security did not exist, could you save enough to retire? Yes 44% No 52% Asked of Americans under age of 65 Who should control Social Security Investments? Individuals 80% Government 14% Asked of all Americans Investing in a stock market is a good idea Now 57% 1994 38% 1990 26% Asked of all Americans Will Congress and Clinton be able to fix Social Security? Yes 43% No 46% Asked of all Americans Is Social Security fair to people your age? Yes No 18-34 years 41% 52% 35-49 years 46% 45% 50-64 years 61% 27% Over 64 years 80% 15%
Many Americans depend on Social Security benefits--from retirees, disabled workers, and dependents. Furthermore, numerous retirees have not saved enough money for retirement through other sources, so they count on Social Security as their basic source of income during their later years. Recently, the number of persons receiving Social Security has increased dramatically. This is largely due to the increasing number of persons in the baby boomer generation retiring and also people living many more years past retirement age. This increase in beneficiaries has initiated concerns and questions about the future of Social Security for persons still working. Recent studies have shown that in its current trend, the surplus of funds for Social Security will be depleted in the near future as the increase of payments will begin to exhaust the fund’s resources. To that end, reform of some kind is needed to help sustain this benefit for future generations to come (Social Security Administration, 2014).
The current trade imbalance is caused in large part by intrinsic features of China's labor market and consumer base. The vast majority of China's 1.3 billion people still live in rural areas. China has, by some estimates, a surplus rural labor force of 120 million people, many of whom migrate to industrial centers to look for factory work, and drive down wages. As long as wages are low, the United States will continue to gobble up products made in China, while Chinese consumers will prefer to buy cheaper, homespun alternatives to American products. The rise in trade deficit with China has come at a cost to jobs in the United States, accordin...
In November of 2004, the United States ran a fifty-four billion dollar trade deficit, translating to over 600 billion for the entire year. This deficit is a result of the disparity between the amount of goods that the US imports and the amount it exports. To equalize this deficit in its current account, the American government sells assets from its capital account, often to foreign investors. This phenomenon is seen as a serious threat to the success and continued growth of the nation’s economy, tied in with popular concerns that the United States is losing its competitive and dominant edge in global economics. The traditional economic theory employed to solve this problem calls for a return to mercantile protectionism, through use of tariffs and subsidies to drive up the price of imports and lower the price of exports. Running contrary to this is a second option: increasing domestic savings and lowering government spending. These theories both aim to decrease American dependence upon foreign imports and investment, and ultimately equalize the enormous trade deficit that currently exists.
Retirement is one of the most important crossroads we face in life. It involves a fundamental change in lifestyle, one that calls for a totally new outlook on how we approach each day. All our lives we have been conditioned to think in terms of saving for our retirement years. Society has created this mystique about this time in our lives when we magically transform into different people with different lives when really we are the same people with different day to day lives. According to Medina, (2012) planning for retirement isn’t a "walk in the park" because for many people, debts are high while income is low.
Allers, Kimberly Seals. "How Fit Are Your Finances?" Ebony 68.9 (2013): 93-97. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. Bauer, Gabrielle, and John Southerst. "A promising retirement: your life, your way." Maclean's 18 Feb. 2013: 37+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.