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FINANCIAL PLANNING

Nearing retirement

When retirement is coming into view, it's critical to assess where you stand today and maximize your savings & investing opportunities.

What would you like the power to do?®

Get prepared
Retirement comes with a lot of decisions, which is why it requires careful planning and preparation.
Preparing for the 3 stages of retirement
Your priorities, income needs and spending will likely change as you move through retirement.
Click through these steps to learn more about what you might expect in each stage. For insights on how to prepare, read the article.
Learn More about planning for retirement
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Exploring

In the first stage of retirement, you might spend more time traveling, volunteer, move to a new location or work part time.
COMPARE YOUR SPENDING
See how your expenses stack up against others like you. Explore your results at Bank of America Better Money Habits.
Estimate future expenses
Try to create a ballpark annual estimate based on what you live on now and how your expenses might change when you retire.
Some expenses, such as healthcare, may be higher later in life, while others, such as commuting or clothing costs, may decline. What each person will need varies widely, but there are certain expenses we can count on.
Click through to how costs may change as you move through retirement.
How retirement costs may change as you age
Chart shows how retirement costs may change as you age From ages 50 to 64, food represents 12% of total spending, clothing is 3%, housing is 33%, entertainment is 5%, transportation is 16%, healthcare is 9%, insurance/pensions are 13%, charity and gifts are 4% and other is 5%. From ages 65 to 74, food represents 13% of total spending, clothing is 2%, housing is 36%, entertainment is 6%, transportation is 15%, healthcare is 12%, insurance/pensions are 7%, charity and gifts are 5% and other is 4%. From ages 75 and older, food represents 12% of total spending, clothing is 2%, housing is 37%, entertainment is 5%, transportation is 12%, healthcare is 16%, insurance/pensions are 3%, charity and gifts are 9% and other is 4%.
Ages 50 to 64
Ages 65 to 74
Age 75 plus
Ages 50 to 64 - Housing - 33% Ages 50 to 64 - Entertainment - 5% Ages 50 to 64 - Transportation - 16% Ages 50 to 64 - Healthcare - 9% Ages 50 to 64 - Insurance/pension - 13% Ages 50 to 64 - Charity/gifts - 4% Ages 50 to 64 - Other - 5% Ages 50 to 64 - Food - 12% Ages 50 to 64 - Clothing - 3% Reset chart Ages 65 to 74 - Housing - 36% Ages 65 to 74 - Entertainment - 6% Ages 65 to 74 - Transportation - 15% Ages 65 to 74 - Healthcare - 12% Ages 65 to 74 - Insurance/pension - 7% Ages 65 to 74 - Charity/gifts - 5% Ages 65 to 74 - Other - 4% Ages 65 to 74 - Food - 13% Ages 65 to 74 - Clothing - 2% Reset chart Age 75 plus - Housing - 37% Age 75 plus - Entertainment - 5% Age 75 plus - Transportation - 12% Age 75 plus - Healthcare - 16% Age 75 plus - Insurance/pension - 3% Age 75 plus - Charity/gifts - 9% Age 75 plus - Other - 4% Age 75 plus - Food - 12% Age 75 plus - Clothing - 2% Reset chart
For illustrative purposes only
Based on cost estimates from:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Consumer Expenditure Surveys 2021," September 2022
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "How Much Care Will You Need?," accessed May 2023
Plan your income
Life can throw us curveballs. Preparing for unexpected events and making sure loved ones are aware of your wishes are key to your overall financial plan.
Your income sources, in addition to Social Security, may include a pension and retirement accounts and possibly even rental income and disability benefits.
If you're currently spending more than your projected monthly retirement income, consider adjusting your plans — by delaying retirement or taking on part-time work, perhaps, or moving the date at which you begin claiming Social Security benefits. You might also begin to look for ways to trim expenses or contribute more to your retirement savings accounts.
Learn More about retirement income sources
Review your income sources
For households age 65 or older, this is how a typical retirement income breaks down.
Chart shows retirement income sources for households age 65 or older. 28% is from Social Security, 26% is from personal retirement accounts, including traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, pension plan payouts and annuities, 24% is from current employment earnings, 14% is from investments, 8% is from other sources
Social Security - 28% Personal retirement account - 26% Current employment earnings - 24% Investments - 14% Other - 8% Reset chart
Disclosure: Congressional Research Service, "Income for the Population Aged 65 and Older: Evidence from the Health Retirement Study," accessed March 2025.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our Personal Retirement Calculator can help you estimate your income and expenses.
Review your estate plan
Having a plan and reviewing it over time helps protect your loved ones and ensures that your wishes are followed.
An estate plan spells out key details of how to distribute your assets to loved ones and the causes you care about in addition to naming who can oversee your healthcare and finances if you cannot.
Life events, such as a birth or divorce can dramatically alter your intentions, which is why it's important to revisit your estate plan over time.
If you haven't created a plan, don't worry. It's not too late. Learn about the basics of estate planning, essential planning documents, and how to get started.
Learn More about estate planning
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Greater control

An estate plan documents how your assets should be distributed, who will be the guardian of minor children, and who can oversee your healthcare and finances if you are unable to. Not having a plan gives those decisions to others

Managing through life's events

Throughout your life, you're going to experience important events — like getting married or divorced, having a baby, a job change — that will affect your finances. While some are planned, others are not. We're here to help you prepare for these critical times.
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Updates related article links below about  Getting married
Getting married or moving in together can be the start of an exciting new adventure. These resources can help you get ready for this new phase in your life.
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Updates related article links below about Starting a family
The cost of raising a child continues to increase. Learn how to prepare financially and protect your growing family.
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Updates related article links below about Getting divorced
Getting divorced can be a very stressful and financially complicated time. These resources can help you transition from "ours" to "mine" and "yours."
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Updates related article links below about Caregiving
If you're faced with taking on the responsibility of caring for an aging or ill loved one, these resources can help.
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Updates related article links below about Losing a loved one
The last thing anyone wants to prepare for is the loss of a loved one. But there are important decisions to make, and planning ahead can help make this time a little less stressful.
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Updates related article links below about Receiving an inheritance
Receiving an inheritance can open up new possibilities. These tips can help you prepare to manage an inheritance or unexpected new wealth.
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Updates related article links below about Your first job
Congratulations on reaching an important milestone. These resources can help you get your finances and working life off to a great start.
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Updates related article links below about Changing jobs
A job transition means considering how you'll handle employer-sponsored benefits like retirement accounts, along with insurance and other perks.
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Updates related article links below about Job loss
While it may be tempting to reach for retirement assets after losing a job, look for other sources that won't have an impact on your long-term plans.
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Updates related article links below about Starting a business
Starting your own business can be exciting and challenging. Learn the basics of planning, preparing and launching your new endeavor.
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Updates related article links below about Buying a home
Whether you're a first-time buyer or already own a home and are looking to refinance or make a move, there are a lot of financial considerations connected to homeownership. These resources can help.
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Updates related article links below about Buying a car
A job transition means considering how you'll handle employer-sponsored benefits like retirement accounts, along with insurance and other perks.
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Updates related article links below about Saving for a large purchase
Achieving a shorter-term goal like taking a vacation or buying a car calls for a disciplined savings approach. These tips and resources can help you get started.

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Footnote 1 This material should be regarded as general information on healthcare considerations and is not intended to provide specific healthcare advice. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, please contact your legal or tax advisor.

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Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
You have choices about what to do with your 401(k) or other type of plan-sponsored accounts. Depending on your financial circumstances, needs, goals and employer plan terms, you may choose to roll over to an IRA or convert to a Roth IRA, roll over a 401(k) from a prior employer to a 401(k) at your new employer, take a distribution, or leave the account where it is (if applicable). Each choice may offer different investments and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment (particularly with reference to employer stock), and provide different protection from creditors and legal judgments. These are complex choices and should be considered with care. For more information visit our rollover page or call Merrill at 888.637.3343.
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