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まさか、夢だと言ってくれ…「年金月18万円」75歳男性、「コツコツと貯めた 2,000万円」が老後10年で底をつく大誤算。きっかけは48年間連れ添った愛妻の死

Unknown money, personal finance, personal finance retirement, retirement planning, wealth

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 老後資金2,000万円不足問題のインパクトから、「老後のために2,000万円は貯める！」と目標を定めている人は多いようです。しかし、2,000万円の貯金があるからといって、老後の安心は絶対かといえば、そのようなことはありません。

<h2>
 妻と過ごすはずだった、安泰の老後
</h2>

 年金不安から資産運用が当たり前になりつつあるなか、最終的な目標額はいくらなのでしょうか。金融広報中央委員会『家計の金融行動に関する世論調査（二人以上世帯）』によると、金融資産目標額は平均で3,014万円。中央値は1,500万円でした。年齢別にみていくと、60代で平均3,397万円、中央値は2,000万円。70代では平均2,723万円で、中央値は2,000万円。一時、老後資金2,000万円不足と騒がれていました。その余波でしょうか、老後を見据えて「2,000万円」をひとつの目標にしていると推測されます。


 75歳の原和夫さん（仮名）もそのひとり。長年会社員として働き、退職金とコツコツ貯めた預貯金を合わせ、65歳の時点で老後資金は約2,000万円を確保していました。


 「ひとり1,000万円、夫婦であれば2,000万円あれば、老後は安心だと思っていたんです」


 65歳から受け取り始めた年金は月18万円ほど。その3年後には妻も年金を受け取り始め、派手な暮らしではないものの、妻とふたり、穏やかな老後を送っていました。


 しかし、結婚48年を迎えて、妻が68歳で急逝。そこから、原さんの生活は大きく狂い始めます。最初に家計を大きく圧迫したのは、自宅の修繕費でした。


 
 「持ち家だったので、住居費の心配はないと思っていました。でも、築35年ともなると、あちこちガタがくるんですよ」
 


 特に深刻だったのは、水回りと屋根の劣化。そこに追い打ちをかけるように大型台風の襲来。それによりキッチンや浴室の配管から水漏れが発生し、屋根瓦の一部も剥がれました。修理を後回しにするわけにもいかず、見積もりを取ると、なんと約500万円。痛い出費でしたが、長年妻と過ごしたマイホーム。いつまでもここで住み続けたい……そう考えると仕方のない出費でした。

<h2>
 妻に先立たれ、崩れ始めた老後プラン
</h2>

 さらに、妻に先立たれひとり暮らしになったことで、日常の生活費もじわじわと増えていきました。家事はすべて妻に任せきりだった原さんは家事力ゼロ。次第に家のなかは散らかり放題。洗濯はもちろん、食事も自分で作ることはできません。乱れていくばかりの日常をどうにかしようと、家事代行サービスを利用するようになりました。さらに外食の回数も増え、妻とふたり暮らしのときよりもかさむようになったのです。そのような生活により、毎月10万～15万円程度を貯金から取り崩し。


 そこへ追い打ちをかけたのが、健康の問題でした。「加齢とともに、病院に行く機会が増えました。持病の薬代に加え、歯の治療や白内障の手術など、思った以上にお金がかかるんです」。こうした想定外の出費が続き、原さんの貯蓄は右肩下がり。


 焦った原さんは、ある決断をします。世間では「資産運用」ブーム。この流れに乗れば、資産を増やすことができるかもしれない……何とも安直な理由で投資をスタートさせます。


 当初は、銀行の勧めで投資信託を購入。しかし値動きが思った以上に激しく、不安になった原さんは、途中で売却。結果的に、数十万円の損失を出してしまいました。それでも諦めきれず、今度は個別株に手を出します。「高配当株なら年金の足しになる」との触れ込みを信じましたが、株価の変動に一喜一憂する日々が続き、また途中で売却。結局、利益を出すどころか損失ばかりが積み重なり、10年前に2,000万円あった貯蓄は、ほぼ底をついてしまったのです。


 
 「まさか、夢だと言ってくれ……」
 


 70代半ばにして、生活レベルを大幅に下げざるを得ない状況に直面している原さん。


 
 「年金18万円だけで、この先の生活を賄わないといけません。でも家の維持費もかかるだろうし、医療費のことも考えないといけない。不安しかないですね」
 


 原さんのケースは決して特殊なものではありません。老後の想定外の出費は、誰にでも起こりうること。特に、自宅の修繕費や医療費は、思った以上にかかることが多いといいます。さらに原さんの場合、未経験ながら投資に手を出し、損失をさらに拡大させました。「まさか、こんなはずでは……」と後悔しないために。老後資金の準備は、想定以上の余裕をもって考えておくことが大切なのかもしれません。


 ［参考資料］


 金融広報中央委員会『令和5年 家計の金融行動に関する世論調査（二人以上世帯）』

まさか、夢だと言ってくれ…「年金月18万円」75歳男性、「コツコツと貯めた 2,000万円」が老後10年で底をつく大誤算。きっかけは48年間連れ添った愛妻の死

Unknown money, personal finance, personal finance retirement, retirement planning, wealth

老後資金2,000万円不足問題のインパクトから、「老後のために2,000万円は貯める！」と目標を定めている人は多いようです。しかし、2,000万円の貯金があるからといって、老後の安心は絶対かといえば、そのようなことはありません。妻と過ごすはずだった、安泰の老後年金不安から資産運用が当たり前になりつつあるなか、最終的な目標額はいくらなのでしょうか。金融広報中央委員会『家計の金融行動に…

Europe's Wealth Gap Widens: A Few Places Bucking the Trend

Unknown economic inequality, europe, investing economy, investors, wealth

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1qguJC" data-reference="video"/>

 Centuries back, amassing great wealth in Europe was closely tied to residing in its major trading hubs and engaging in profitable business sectors.


 However, this is no longer the truth. According to the newest Centi-Millionaire Report from Henley & Partners, when it pertains to extravagant shopping sprees and worldwide travels among ultra-wealthy individuals with assets worth multiple millions, Europe significantly lags behind both Asia and America.


 The study looks into the expansion of ultra-wealthy people whose fortune exceeds $100 million from 2013 to 2023. Over this decade, their numbers have surged by more than 50%, adding approximately 30,000 new members to the elite circle of the extremely affluent.


 While remarkable wealth has surged, this increase hasn't been evenly distributed—indeed, Europe seems to be falling further behind over time. The rise in the number of centimillionaires here has only climbed by 26%, which is just half of the global growth rate.


 It's evident that the tale of centi-millionaires involves dynamic shifts and transformations," stated Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, an organization focused on analyzing private wealth and migration patterns. "From technology-fueled growth spurts in countries like China and the U.S., to the rise of emerging financial centers globally, we're witnessing a significant relocation of immense riches away from Europe.

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 This trend isn't likely to cease soon. In continental Europe, London will face the most significant losses.
 fewest centimillionaires
 Added to the continuously expanding list between now and 2040, we can expect Moscow, Zurich, and Madrid to join as well.
 
 
 In the meantime, according to the report, places like Dubai and Shenzhen will serve as breeding grounds for new centimillionaires.
 
 
 Nevertheless, the lesser-known treasures of European prosperity lie within some of the continent’s less flashy areas. Consider places like Monaco, Malta, and Poland, which are anticipated to see an increase of at least 75 percent in their population of millionaires.
 
 
 The phenomenon of affluent individuals leaving Europe can be attributed to multiple factors, such as increased political instability and changes.
 tax policies
 In Italy and the U.K., along with decades of underwhelming trade performance relative to competitors across the world. Certainly, Europe boasts influential tycoons like Bernard Arnault and Mark Mateschitz, whose substantial wealth has significantly expanded over time. However, the U.S. stands distinctively different.
 has benefited
 more from the migration of wealth, greater stock market liquidity, and overall wealth creation.
 
 <h2 class="wp-block-heading">
 Yesteryear
 
 Europe
 
 </h2>
 
 If only Europe could restore its golden era.
 
 
 Not long ago, Britain and France stood among the richest nations in Europe as well as globally. Following the Industrial Revolution, this boom extended across various European economies.
 
 
 Paradoxically, the pattern of wealth migration has shifted somewhat. Currently, an increasing number of individuals are departing from nations such as the U.K., with Brexit exacerbating this situation.
 
 
 The UK might see as many as 500,000 millionaires disappear over the next half-decade, suggests research.
 UBS Wealth report
 Starting from July, Belgium, Germany, and Spain will be some of the locations where Britain’s affluent individuals consider investing their wealth to find more suitable investment opportunities.
 
 
 Currently, there are still some areas where significant fortunes can be accumulated, such as in Paris, which ranks top among European cities for the rise in centimillionaires.
 
 
 The question still stands: What will happen to Europe and its inhabitants if it hinders future wealth generation relative to the rest of the globe?
 
 
 
 A variant of this tale was initially released on
 
 
 
 
 on September 18, 2024.
 
 
 
 The tale was initially showcased on
 
</img>

Europe's Wealth Gap Widens: A Few Places Bucking the Trend

Unknown economic inequality, europe, investing economy, investors, wealth

Centuries back, amassing great wealth in Europe was closely tied to residing in its major trading hubs and engaging in profitable business sectors. However, this is no longer the truth. According t…

Financial Experts Stress: Know Your Net Worth, No Matter the Size

Unknown financial literacy, money, net worth, personal finance, wealth

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 For individuals with limited possessions, understanding their net worth could appear insignificant; however, specialists assert that it remains a crucial measure of one's fiscal well-being, irrespective of whether the figure is large or modest.


 "At the end of the day, what matters isn’t the number of zeroes in your account; it’s more about whether your net worth indicates that you're moving towards achieving your financial objectives," explained Brenda Hiscock, a certified financial planner with Objective Financial Partners.


 Your net worth is determined by summing the total value of all your possessions and then deducting any debts you owe. This calculation provides an overview of your current financial status.


 Assets may consist of funds held in your banking accounts, various investment holdings, the worth of your residence along with other real estate, the cash surrender value associated with a life insurance policy, the potential resell amount for your automobile, as well as different retirement schemes.


 Liabilities are essentially what you owe and can include the mortgage on your home, lines of credit, credit card debt, student debt and auto loans.


 Hiscock says when it comes to your liabilities, it’s important to distinguish between good debt and bad debt.


 "There’s good debt, sort of, a mortgage, student loans because a student loan can increase your future earnings potential. But what we really want to look at on a net worth statement is whether there’s credit card debt ... that tends to be bad debt," she said.


 "The net worth statement helps us to really look at each piece and determine what the best way forward with them is."


 She says a typical timeline to review a net worth statement is once a year.


 For a young person starting out who may have few assets, or even a negative net worth, Hiscock said there are still benefits to tracking your financial health.


 "I work with quite a few young people and I do find they love seeing their net worth year-over-year. It’s motivating to them," she said.


 Tony Salgado, president of AMS Wealth, said a net worth statement can also be a wake-up call that your financial well-being is not moving in the right direction.


 He gives the example of someone who gets a raise or a promotion at work, but ends up spending the extra income on dining out and other discretionary expenses instead of building up their assets.


 “So even though in this situation you have someone that has more cash flow coming in, they’re spending more," he said.


 "In that case, their net worth is not going to be growing. They’re going to be decreasing their net worth. It’s important for that young person to see if they’re going in the right direction."


 For someone that wants to build their net worth, it comes down to putting more money into the assets side rather than the liabilities.


 "Step by step, if we manage our discretionary spending, we improve our cash flow, we take the cash flow and invest it in either a TFSA, RRSP or an alternative investment — you’re slowly now moving your net worth in the positive direction," Salgado said.


 In addition to being a key indicator for your own use, knowing your net worth can also be crucial information for other professionals, such as a lawyer working on your will or gauging how much life insurance you may need, Hiscock said.


 "For example, young people out there buying homes, and if they have a young child, life insurance is so, so important. The net worth statement can say, 'OK well we have this much debt and if we pass away, we want to have that protected and we also want to protect our future income,'" she said.


 This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2025.


 Michelle Zadikian and Ritika Dubey from The Canadian Press

Financial Experts Stress: Know Your Net Worth, No Matter the Size

Unknown financial literacy, money, net worth, personal finance, wealth

For individuals with limited possessions, understanding their net worth could appear insignificant; however, specialists assert that it remains a crucial measure of one's fiscal well-being, irrespec…

This Money Bias Is the Biggest Hurdle to Building Wealth, Says Financial Psychologist

Unknown investing, money management, personal finance, personal finance retirement, wealth

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 It's officially the season when people finally tackle tasks they've been postponing. For countless Americans, this involves addressing their financial situations.


 If you've been avoiding
 funding your 401(k)
 When starting a brokerage account, remember that many people face similar situations. About 48% of American adults—almost half—are reported as having no investment assets at all, according to recent data.
 2024 survey from Janus Henderson
 .


 For many, the rationale for postponing investment seems straightforward: It appears overly complicated.


 It's a pattern of thinking that, if not overcome, could cripple many young people financially, says Amos Nadler, founder of
 Prof of Wall Street
 and holds a Ph.D. in behavioral finance along with neuroeconomics.


 He explains this phenomenon as 'complexity aversion,' which represents the primary obstacle to accumulating wealth for individuals not involved in financial markets or those who haven't invested previously.


 This cognitive bias might be causing you to lose cash.

<h4>
 The significance of conquering reluctance towards complex issues
</h4>

 At its core, individuals who delay tackling crucial financial responsibilities share similar concerns with those reluctant to begin an exercise regimen—they fear making errors or feeling silly.


 As someone might admit their lack of knowledge about complex gym machinery with "I have no clue how this stuff operates," a financially avoidant individual could express similar feelings by saying, “This is way beyond me,” according to Nadler. They might add, “Math and finances aren’t really my strong suit.”


 Experiencing such feelings about money is strongly linked to another prevalent cognitive bias called
 risk aversion
 Basically, you're not just worried about making mistakes, but also concerned about potentially losing the resources you've worked hard to build up. Since the fear of loss often overshadows the satisfaction derived from growing your wealth, this keeps you stationary.


 The urge is, “I’ve put in the effort to earn this money, and I prefer playing safe. It’s better for me to simply receive the cash,” explains Nadler. “Even though I’m aware that inflation is eroding my savings, the markets are too unpredictable right now, which makes me cautious.”


 However, the necessity of beginning investments—particularly for younger individuals—goes further than just keeping pace with inflation. Delaying this specific financial task means missing out on something numerous experts refer to as your
 most valuable asset
 : time.


 The longer you remain in the investment market, the more opportunity your funds have to increase through compound interest. Each year you put off entering the market could mean losing out on thousands of dollars in potential wealth accumulation for your future.


 Play around with an
 online compounding interest calculator
 , and you might find that staying out of the game for just a couple of years could significantly impact your earnings over time.


 Imagine a scenario where someone begins investing $200 monthly into their retirement fund at the age of 20, assuming they achieve an average yearly return of 8%. When this individual reaches 67 years old for retirement, they will accumulate approximately $1.25 million. However, if they start contributing at 25 under identical circumstances, their savings would amount to roughly $830,000 upon retiring. Should they delay starting until turning 30, then at retirement age, they’d only amass around $547,000.

<h4>
 How to overcome reluctance towards complex tasks
</h4>

 Therefore, how does one begin? You might consider opening a brokerage account or funding your own retirement account, like an IRA.
 Accomplishing this involves only a handful of simple steps.
 .


 However, if your employer provides a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k), joining might be an equally straightforward approach to begin saving. You can set aside a portion of your earnings automatically from every pay stub towards this account and choose one or multiple mutual funds for your investment mix.


 These plans typically include affordable, broadly diversified choices like index and target-date funds, providing investors with access to substantial portions of the market.


 
 Looking to earn additional income beyond your regular employment?
 
 Register for DIWIDA's web-based class
 Ways to Generate Passive Income On the Internet
 To discover popular methods for generating passive income, advice on beginning your journey, and true accounts of people who have succeeded.


 Plus,
 subscribe to DIWIDAMake It's mailing list
 To acquire advice and strategies for achieving success at your job, managing finances, and navigating everyday life.

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This Money Bias Is the Biggest Hurdle to Building Wealth, Says Financial Psychologist

Unknown investing, money management, personal finance, personal finance retirement, wealth

It's officially the season when people finally tackle tasks they've been postponing. For countless Americans, this involves addressing their financial situations. If you've been avoiding funding y…

From Zero to Millionaire by 35: My Journey to Financial Freedom on a Shoestring Budget

Unknown money, money management, personal finance retirement, saving money, wealth

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/BB1lIcoR" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1lIcoR.jpg"/>

 What level of income would you need to achieve financial security?


 DIWIDA's Global Financial Security Survey: Your Money
 conducted by SurveyMonkey
 Recently posed this very question globally, and here's what was shared:
 disclosed insights into how individuals across various nations view their financial situations
 .


 Ask the same to
 Steve Adcock
 , and he might dispute the assumption.


 "The concept of financial security isn’t tied to how much you earn,” explains the 42-year-old to DIWIDAMake It. “For me, financial security means having enough time.”


 Adcock states that he achieved financial stability in 2016 at the age of 35 after retiring from his corporate position with approximately $900,000. Subsequent growth in the stock market increased this amount to more than $1 million.


 He explains that security wasn’t derived from how much money was saved, but rather from the liberty it provided—being able to lead his life as desired without depending on a regular income. After his spouse retired the next year, they embarked on an adventure, spending three years traversing the nation in their Airstream trailer.


 I definitely experienced a more modest lifestyle back then. Our expenses were significantly lower compared to what they are today," explains Adcock. "It was actually the initial period during which I felt truly economically stable, implying that we didn’t need to continue working indefinitely.

<h4>
 Securing your building by saving and investing
</h4>

 To be precise, a better salary certainly aids in attaining financial stability—but it isn’t everything, according to Adcock.


 He states, 'Even with an annual income of $200,000, if your expenses amount to $180,000 per year, financial security remains elusive.'


 Back in 2014, when Adcock along with his spouse was earning an aggregate yearly salary of $220,000, he mentions that they managed to save approximately 70% of their total earnings. They then channeled these savings into robust investment strategies for both retirement funds and brokerage accounts.


 He remarks, “I’d say our savings rate bordered on being extremely high.” Nevertheless, he adds, “I despised what I was doing. I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could.”


 If your goal is to achieve financial security, you don’t necessarily have to reach such an elevated savings target. At the very least, begin by
 building an emergency fund
 A significant portion of Americans —
 44%, according to Bankrate
 —they mentioned they were unable to cover a $1,000 emergency using their savings.


 As Adcock points out, this is exactly what financial insecurity looks like.


 Money experts typically suggest setting aside funds enough to cover three to six months of living costs for unexpected situations. After achieving this, consider increasing the duration for which your savings could support you.


 "As you reach the point where you can envision living for one year, then five years, and eventually ten years — that’s when the real excitement begins," according to Adcock.


 Viewing financial stability in this manner enables you to see money not merely as something to amass, but rather as a resource for supporting the aspects of your life that matter most to you. An individual who has saved up funds equivalent to one year’s living costs might choose to embark on a break from their regular routine to work on a personal endeavor they're passionate about. Conversely, someone who has amassed savings covering ten years’ expenditures may feel empowered to venture into launching the entrepreneurial venture they have long envisioned.


 For individuals aiming for early retirement, the main objective is to create an investment portfolio substantial enough to sustain withdrawals indefinitely.


 Even for someone like Adcock, who continues to earn an income from ventures such as
 his website
 , newsletter and latest book suggest that attaining the highest tier of financial stability typically involves having the option to choose when and how one works, instead of ceasing work altogether.


 At present, I’d apply the term 'retired' somewhat flexibly. While we may not fully align with traditional retirement, we undeniably enjoy financial independence. Our finances are completely secured," he explains. "There’s no pressure for us to engage in specific activities. However, it feels great to pursue ventures that appear intriguing and observe where they lead.


 Correction: An earlier iteration of this story incorrectly stated the name of Adcock's Airstream trailer.


 
 Looking to earn additional income beyond your regular employment?
 
 Sign up for
 DIWIDA's latest online course titled "How to Generate Passive Income Online"
 To discover popular methods for generating passive income, along with advice to begin your journey and true accounts of achievements. Sign up now and receive a 50% reduction using the promo code EARLYBIRD.


 Plus,
 subscribe to DIWIDAMake It's mailing list
 To obtain advice and strategies for achieving success at your job, managing finances, and navigating everyday life.

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From Zero to Millionaire by 35: My Journey to Financial Freedom on a Shoestring Budget

Unknown money, money management, personal finance retirement, saving money, wealth

What level of income would you need to achieve financial security? DIWIDA's Global Financial Security Survey: Your Money conducted by SurveyMonkey Recently posed this very question globally, and …

まさか、夢だと言ってくれ…「年金月18万円」75歳男性、「コツコツと貯めた 2,000万円」が老後10年で底をつく大誤算。きっかけは48年間連れ添った愛妻の 死

Europe's Wealth Gap Widens: A Few Places Bucking the Trend

Financial Experts Stress: Know Your Net Worth, No Matter the Size

This Money Bias Is the Biggest Hurdle to Building Wealth, Says Financial Psychologist

From Zero to Millionaire by 35: My Journey to Financial Freedom on a Shoestring Budget

まさか、夢だと言ってくれ…「年金月18万円」75歳男性、「コツコツと貯めた 2,000万円」が老後10年で底をつく大誤算。きっかけは48年間連れ添った愛妻の死