We are nearing the end of Retirement Week by talking about what you should be doing to prepare for retirement when you are in the Fifties age group. Thanks to NerdWallet for providing us such great advice for you today! Check out other decades from earlier this week – Twenties, Thirties and Forties.

There’s one truism about retirement that has stood the test of time: It’s never too late, or too early, to start saving. Whether fresh out of school or winding down in a career, there are things you can do to successfully prepare your nest egg, as well as places where it’s easy to stumble. Financial institutions such as Vinton County National Bank can help you set up a retirement account and personalized plan. But it’s up to you to do the heavy lifting throughout the decades.

Is retirement in your future?

By Cait Klein, NerdWallet

As you straddle the equator of youth and older age, if you haven’t been funding a retirement account, it’s time to play some serious catch-up. Individuals over the age of 50 can make catch up contributions to a Roth IRA before the end of the year of up to $1,000 in 2015. With a 401(k) and other retirement accounts, you can make additional contributions up to $6,000.

The biggest mistake people make as they round the corner toward retirement is getting fixated on a certain image of what life ought to look like. If you envisioned traveling the world or parking on a beach, you may be sorely disappointed if your savings fall short. Remember the adage, you can’t take it with you. Consider downgrading your lifestyle now — moving to a smaller house, selling off additional cars or assets and limiting vacations. Start adopting the lifestyle of a fixed income, if that’s where you’re heading.

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