8 Rules of Thumb for Saving for Retirement

Saving enough money for a comfortable retirement isn't easy, especially when you have a family to raise along with expenses such as a mortgage and car payments. Beyond the many financial sacrifices, coming up with a suitable plan to reach your retirement goals can pose a challenge. Following a few basic saving concepts can greatly simplify the process.

Save 10 Percent

Set aside 10 percent of each paycheck for retirement savings. This gives you a systematic savings method that is easy to follow and ensures savings consistency. Take advantage of any automatic payroll deduction options offered by your employer to further simply the process.

Invest in Bonds

Although you may not have quite the potential for earnings as you will with stocks, the reliability of bonds makes them a great addition to any retirement portfolio. Not only are they one of the the safest ways to save money, but they also pay interest at a steady rate, making them a great way to generate regular income at retirement.

Consider Domestic Stocks

Consider selecting domestic stocks for the stock portion of your portfolio. According to Bankrate.com, domestic stocks have averaged a 10 percent rate of return since 1926. Keeping this in mind can make it less likely that you will unload your stocks when the market inevitably dips.

Withdraw 4 Percent

Don't withdraw more than 4 percent of your savings per year after retirement. This increases the likelihood that you will not outlive your retirement funds. Consider decreasing the amount if your portfolio incurs a major loss.

Six-Month Emergency Fund

Set aside enough money to cover six months of household expenses. This protects you against a sudden job loss or unexpected medical expense not covered by insurance. It also reduces the need to raid your retirement funds or suspend your savings plan to meet these types of expenses.

Avoid Credit Cards

Compiling a large amount of credit card debt reduces the amount of money you can devote to your retirement plan. If you have outstanding balances on several cards, focus on paying off the ones with the highest interest rate first.

Never Too Early

The sooner you start saving for retirement, the better the financial shape you'll be in when the time finally comes. In additional to devoting more money toward a comfortable retirement, starting early also allows you more time to benefit from compounding interest.

Maximize 401(k) Contribution

If you have a 401(k) plan at work, consider investing the maximum allowable amount, even if it exceeds 10 percent of your gross income. In addition to ensuring you receive the full amount of your company's matching contribution, you will gain the additional benefit of lowering your taxable income for the year.