Retirees may be past the days of resolving to work out more or buy fewer $4 coffees. Yet when it comes to money in particular, resolutions may be even more important for those living on a fixed income.
From financial nuts and bolts to more holistic aims, here's a look at seven worthy resolutions for retirees to commit to in 2012:
1. Get disciplined about money matters.
Retirees should set up a formal budget and stick to it. Being thrifty without a plan only goes so far when unexpected expenses arise, especially at an age when healthcare costs can start to mount.
It's also wise to record your financial goals and plans, such as how much money you expect to withdraw from savings every month.
"The more detailed the information about your spending requirements and investment goals, the greater your chances of success," says Bob Stammers, director of investor education for the nonprofit CFA Institute for financial analysts.
2. Attack your debt.
Along with putting on pounds, new retirees are prone to running up debt with their newfound freedom. Paying off credit card debt should be a top priority.
After the card debt is zeroed out, use only one card and pay off the balance monthly. If an emergency expense leads to a balance, don't let it linger or it will erode retirement savings.
If your savings are languishing in a money market account or certificate of deposit earning practically nothing, you can put a chunk of it to greater use by paying off a credit card with an interest rate of 15 or 20 percent. Having savings yields at rock-bottom lows presents a rare opportunity to instantly improve your finances.
"There may never be a better time than now to clear up all of your credit card debt," says Michael Kresh, a certified financial planner in Islandia, N.Y.
3. Invest in dividend-paying stocks.
It's tough for retirees to get meaningful income on their money from the traditional sources. The best-paying money market and savings accounts yield just 1 percent, five-year CDs no better than 1.95 percent, according to Bankrate.com. Even the U.S. government's 10-year Treasury note has been hovering around 2 percent.
For a bit more risk in the short term, blue chip stocks that pay dividends offer a combination of reliable income and good odds for share price appreciation over the long haul.
Income investors have few alternatives to dividend stocks in this environment, says Howard Silverblatt, senior analyst for Standard & Poor's.
The average dividend stock yielded 2.8 percent in 2011, and investors can better that with such blue chips as General Electric Co., 3.8 percent, or Pfizer Inc., 4.7 percent. Other good options include dividend-heavy mutual fund T. Rowe Price Equity Income (PRFDX), which gets a gold-medal rating from Morningstar, and exchange-traded fund Vanguard Dividend Appreciation (VIG), which carries a five-star rating.
4. Get your estate plan in order.
Make sure your estate plan and financial documents are updated. Tax laws change and documents may be out of date. Beneficiaries may need to be revised.
