Saving for retirement might sound like a bizarre concept at such a young age. But if you lay the groundwork now, it will make a big difference.
It is as easy as putting a priority on saving and making smart financial moves, like contributing to retirement savings or building an emergency fund.
The challenge is not letting other financial obligations get in the way. And, we know that can be difficult – in a recent report by The Star*, about 65,000 Malaysian between the age of 18 and 44 years old were reportedly declared bankrupt over the last five years.
Consider these tips to help you stay on track:
Prioritise your spending.
Set a budget.
This should include your monthly spending and your long-term savings goals. Rework your budget as your income changes, or when major life events occur.
Tackle high-priority expenses and high-interest debt first.
Pay for your needs, such as housing, groceries and insurance, before your wants. And attack short-term revolving debt, such as credit cards first.
Find balance.
Do not spend too much or save too much. We are not suggesting you start putting half your salary toward savings. Find a compromise to balance expenses and wants.
Establish saving habits.
Plan ahead.
Make setting money aside for saving a part of your overall budget. To save more and reduce your taxable income, make contributions to Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), a voluntary retirement savings scheme. You can enjoy up to RM3000 per year personal tax relief** on top of the RM6000 per year tax relief for the mandatory retirement savings contribution and life insurance premiums.
Expect the unexpected.
Allocate a portion of your budget to building an emergency fund. Start by accumulating one month's worth of income, then increase it, as you are able, to cover three to six months of living expenses.
Divert spending into saving.
Once you have paid off debt, avoid taking on more. Instead, take whatever amount you were paying toward debt, and add to your savings.
*Source: Carvalho, Sivanandam, Rahim and Shagar (15 August 2018). Almost 65,000 Malaysian youth declared bankrupt since 2013. www.thestar.com.my
**For contributions into the PRS and deferred annuities effective from years of assessment 2012 to 2021