Boomers Go Long, But are they Falling Short?

BMO says Boomers Working Longer to Bolster Retirement Savings Need to Be Better Informed

TORONTO - According to a new research study from the BMO Retirement Institute, there is a strong sentiment among Canadian Boomers that setting retirement clocks back a few years may be the best option to secure a steady income stream. And while the research indicates people are accepting of this notion, many may be making this decision without having all the necessary information.

The study reveals:

- 31 per cent of Canadians who plan to retire in the next 5 years are considering delaying their retirement date

- Retirees are also thinking about returning to work. For those that are considering it, 41 per cent definitely intend to return to paid work within the next year.

- More than two-thirds of respondents were accepting or happy about delaying retirement

- However, almost half of pre-retirees say they do not know how much they will receive from their personal savings and investments

"Money is the main reason people are working longer or returning to work. Staying mentally active is of secondary importance, but money is by far the top concern. However, many retirees and pre-retirees are making moves to bolster retirement savings by working longer without a clear understanding of their retirement income gap; the difference between how much is needed and how much is available from various sources including personal savings, employer and government benefits," said Tina Di Vito, Director, Retirement Strategies, BMO Financial Group. Di Vito also heads up the BMO Retirement Institute, a think tank set up by the Bank to provide leading perspectives around retirement issues.

How Much, How Long and in What Capacity?

The study indicates that:

- Over 30 per cent say they do not know how much they will receive from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) - In addition, 42 per cent of pre-retirees and 59 per cent of retirees say they have not spoken with their financial advisor about the potential impact that delaying retirement or working longer will have on their financial/retirement plan.

"How Boomers choose to go about remaining or re-entering the workforce will shape their retirement lifestyle and a financial advisor can provide a realistic perspective on how such decisions impact income in retirement," said Di Vito.

"It is vital for Boomers to know where they stand financially and understand the impact working longer will have on their savings so that they can determine how long they need to continue to work, and in what capacity, to achieve their personal retirement goals. In some cases, Boomers may discover they need to work fewer years than anticipated to realistically meet their retirement goals."

Making an Informed Decision

The BMO Retirement Institute has also just released a report Boomers Revise their "Retire-By" Date as Financial Landscape Changes. This report details various factors that should be considered so people can make an educated assessment about working longer, including:

- Plan and Save - More burden of funding retirement has shifted to individuals and away from government and employers. So a combination of government and company pensions, personal savings, home equity and insurance products are necessary.

- Healthcare - Many future retirees have not set aside enough funds to deal with rising healthcare costs. It may be prudent to stay working to ensure continued healthcare benefits and look for companies that have a comprehensive benefits package.

- Inflation - Living longer puts pressure to save more and comes with other financial risks. Even a relatively low inflation rate of 3 per cent can significantly reduce purchasing power over a 20-30 year period.

- Withdrawals - withdrawing money during a period of declining markets can greatly reduce how long retirement savings will last. Instead, reducing withdrawals during the first few years of retirement, as a result of working longer, can significantly extend the duration of savings.