The importance of saving for retirement

WHEN it comes to retiring, many people worry about the lack of funds to carry them for the next chapter of their lives.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

Standard Bank financial adviser, Rodrick Darren Manikam, said working longer would have financial benefits.

“When you retire, there are many things to take into consideration, mainly finances.

“You would need funds to pay for basic necessities, one being medical aid, which takes precedence the older you get.

“The conversations which I mostly have are if they have enough money for these needs, let alone buy food. Many times my clients just don’t have enough money.”

Manikam said that most of his clients retired at 65 and had to make their money last for the next 20 years.

“With the interest rates and the tough economy, some people just don’t have sufficient funds. Which is why I always recommend that every-

month. Knowing that I was not going to get a fixed monthly income made me stress over the rand and cents. I had to tighten our purse strings. Even though we had saved money for our retirement, our lifestyle has changed. Sometimes we feel that my pension income will not be enough. | think that stems from my