Keys to a Stress-Free Retirement: 3 Steps to Help Live Out Your Golden Years With Financial Security by Pamela Yellen

When it comes to Americans’ top worries, 72 percent report feeling stressed about money, and nearly 22 percent say they experience extreme stress about their finances, according to the American Psychological Association. Financial stress is closely linked to health issues including anxiety, depression, insomnia and more.

One big reason is inadequate retirement savings. And people who have their retirement savings in 401(k), IRA and other conventional retirement plans face the constant worry their money will evaporate in the event of another stock market crash. Life is stressful enough on its own. Do we really need to add the stress of worrying about what might happen to the money we’ve worked so hard to earn? The answer to this question will determine whether you live out your golden years in financial security, or face the constant stress and worry of trying make ends meet.

Here are my three steps for a stress-free retirement:

• Build a healthy, liquid rainy day fund. Without a sizeable liquid rainy day fund, you may be forced into selling or liquidating your nest egg assets prematurely – the investments you planned on keeping over the long haul. When this happens, the timing is often terrible. You're at the mercy of current market conditions and forced to sell at the worst possible time.
  

• Make sure a large portion of your retirement savings is in assets that are secure, guaranteed and liquid. These savings should give you control over your future, rather than being subject to the whims of the government or markets.

• Know the value of your retirement account(s). While conventional retirement plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s offer no guarantees, there are strategies that allow people to know the minimum guaranteed value of their savings on the day they retire, and at any point along the way.

What is your biggest retirement concern?

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