As a senior citizen, debt may be your biggest obstacle to a relaxing retirement. Your primary sources of income may be limited to social security, retirement savings, and private pensions. Unfortunately, retirement doesn’t wipe away financial obligations like mortgages, credit cards, or medical bills. Luckily, there are many options to prepare you for a debt-free retirement so you won’t have to worry.

The best way to avoid debt is to create a retirement fund and save in advance. It is recommended that you have enough money to cover 10 to 15 years' worth of expenses when you retire. When calculating this number, whether manually or using an online calculator, consider your social security and pension income, current expenses, cost of living, and expected changes in your future.

Some retirement saving accounts to look into include defined contribution plans, IRA plans, or typical pensions. Some examples of defined contribution plans are 401(k)s and 403(b)s grow your income with your pre-tax income, and you and your employer may make matching contributions to your retirement fund. Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs also grow your contributions similarly, but IRAS give you more investment options and more control over your money. Finally, traditional pensions are another employee-sponsored option that will provide you with a specified amount of money upon retirement. Understanding your retirement account options and their implications will help you budget to have more funding when you need it down the line.

Debt consolidation can combine your multiple debts into one single loan. This can simplify debt repayment with a potentially lower interest rate. Online lenders, banks, and credit unions typically offer these loans. To qualify for a debt consolidation plan, you need to have good credit and reasonable income.

You can choose to take a personal loan to do this. Seniors may also choose to leverage their homes to consolidate their debt.

A reverse mortgage is a loan that converts your home equity into cash. This option is for seniors 62 or older, who have at least 50% home equity, and can keep up with insurance premiums and property taxes with this loan. The older you are, the more borrowing power you have. This option is best for seniors who want to stay in their homes with no monthly mortgage payment and supplement their retirement income. Using this money, seniors may be able to prioritize their debt repayments.

A reverse mortgage’s full repayments are due when the last surviving borrower or spouse dies, sells the home, or doesn’t live in the home as their main residence. In this case, your estate and heirs will repay the entire loan or 95% of the value of your home. Your family may sell your home or take out a new mortgage to keep the home. When considering this, it’s important for you and your family to understand your lender’s borrowing costs.

If you are under 62 years old, a home equity loan may be an alternative solution. This type of loan is a secured loan that cashes in your home equity in exchange for one fixed interest-rate payment. This loan may have a lower interest rate than your other debts, so if you choose to combine your bills in this way, you could save money on interest payments.

However, keep in mind that you will pay several fees to get this loan. It’s also wise to review your finances and make sure you can keep up with payments. Otherwise, you risk losing your home to foreclosure.

Bankruptcy can help you get a fresh start. If you want to keep your home and retirement accounts, discharging your debts this way may be for you. There are different types of bankruptcy, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and it is crucial to understand their costs and look into alternatives before filing.

Chapter 7 requires selling your assets to pay off as much of your debt. Then your debt will usually be discharged except for student loans, child support, and others Your bankruptcy will show up in your credit report for 10 years, but if you pay your credit card bills on time, you can rebuild your score over time.

Under Chapter 7, you may keep all of your retirement accounts and, depending on your case, part of your home equity.

Chapter 13 involved you participating in a 3-year repayment plan. After that, your outstanding debts will be discharged. All of your assets, in this case, are safe. Your home could be saved from foreclosure, and your retirement accounts will be untouched unless you use them for repayment. Your credit score will be affected for 7 years.

A non-profit credit counseling agency may be an option worth considering because of their advice and because they can negotiate with your creditors for you. Working with a financial advisor can help you make informed decisions about managing your debts. Finding the right advisor can guide you on repayment, budgeting, and retirement plans.

State-sponsored assistance can help you pay some of your bills. Get help paying your Medicare premiums and copayments through the Medicare Savings Program, but check the requirements for your state first. The federal organization, the Administration on Aging, also offers seniors resources for long-term assistance, healthcare, and legal assistance.

Avoiding Scams

Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of individuals looking for debt relief. Seniors are often targeted by unsolicited phone calls or emails that ask you to pay before they help you. There are ways to protect yourself, and you can avoid falling victim to their tricks.

• Do your research
• Do not give out your personal information
• Do not pay organizations or people you do not know

Ready To Retire?

Retirement should be a time in your life when you can relax and enjoy the little things. Don’t let troublesome finances get in your way. Seniors face many debts, but there are also countless resources to help. By understanding your options and how to avoid problems, you can start your journey to living debt-free.