How to Make Your Retirement Savings Last Longer

“I put off writing a will for years because I did not want to think about it,” confesses Linda, 71. “When I finally sat down with an attorney, she asked me one question that changed everything: ‘Who do you trust?’ Having that answer made the whole process simpler than I ever imagined.”

How to Make Your Retirement Savings Last Longer is a question that weighs heavily on many solo seniors. Without a partner’s income or pension to help cushion unexpected costs, every financial decision takes on extra importance. The good news is that small, thoughtful changes can significantly extend the life of your savings. Whether you are newly retired or have been living on a fixed income for years, there are practical steps you can take today to improve your financial security tomorrow.

如何让退休储蓄更持久是许多独居长者心头的重大问题。没有伴侣的收入或养老金来缓解意外开支，每一项财务决策都显得尤为重要。好消息是，经过深思熟虑的小改变可以显著延长储蓄的使用寿命。无论您是刚退休，还是已经依靠固定收入生活多年，今天都有一些实际步骤可以采取，以改善明天的财务安全。

Understand Where Your Money Goes / 了解钱的去向

The first step in making your savings last is understanding exactly how you spend money. Track every expense for at least one month, including small purchases that are easy to overlook. Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or budgeting app to record each transaction. The goal is not to judge yourself but to see patterns clearly.

让储蓄持久的第一步是准确了解您的支出方式。至少记录一个月的所有开支，包括那些容易被忽视的小额消费。使用笔记本、电子表格或预算应用记录每笔交易。目标不是评判自己，而是清楚地看到消费模式。

Many seniors are surprised by how much they spend on subscriptions, dining out, or impulse purchases online. Once you see the numbers, you can decide which expenses bring real value and which can be reduced. Even cutting $100 per month adds up to $1,200 per year, which can cover medications, utilities, or a small emergency fund.

许多长者会惊讶地发现，自己在订阅服务、外出就餐或网上购物冲动消费上花费不菲。一旦看到具体数字，您就能判断哪些开支带来真正价值，哪些可以减少。即使每月削减100美元，一年也有1,200美元，足以支付药物、水电费或建立小额应急基金。

Group your expenses into categories such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, insurance, and discretionary spending. This makes it easier to identify areas where you have flexibility. Fixed costs like rent or property taxes may be harder to change, but variable costs often offer room for adjustment.

将支出分为住房、食品、医疗、交通、保险和可自由支配开支等类别。这样更容易找出有调整空间的领域。房租或房产税等固定成本可能较难改变，但可变成本通常有调整余地。

Create a Realistic Retirement Budget / 制定现实的退休预算

Reader spotlight: George, 69, from Portland, Oregon, shared this with us: “I spent two years worrying about the cost of long-term care before I realized there were programs I qualified for that I had never heard of. My advice? Do not assume you cannot afford something until you have actually checked. You might be surprised.”

A budget is simply a plan for how you will use your money. Start with your guaranteed income sources, such as Social Security, pensions, and annuity payments. Then subtract your essential expenses to see how much remains for everything else. If the numbers do not balance, you will need to make adjustments.

预算就是关于如何使用资金的计划。首先从有保障的收入来源开始，如社会保障金、养老金和年金支付。然后减去必要开支，看看还能剩下多少用于其他方面。如果数字无法平衡，就需要做出调整。

Be honest about needs versus wants. Housing, food, healthcare, and insurance are needs. Travel, hobbies, and entertainment are wants that enrich life but may need to be scaled during lean years. A flexible budget allows you to enjoy life while protecting your long-term security.

诚实区分需要和想要。住房、食品、医疗和保险是需要。旅行、爱好和娱乐则能丰富生活，但在经济紧张的年份可能需要缩减。灵活的预算让您在享受生活的同时保护长期安全。

Build an emergency fund into your budget if possible. Even a few hundred dollars set aside can prevent you from dipping into retirement savings when a car repair or medical bill appears unexpectedly. Over time, aim to grow this fund to cover three to six months of essential expenses.

如果可能，在预算中纳入应急基金。即使只存几百美元，也能避免在汽车维修或医疗账单突然出现时动用退休储蓄。随着时间推移，目标是将应急基金增加到足以覆盖三到六个月必要开支的水平。

Reduce Major Fixed Expenses / 减少主要固定开支

Housing is usually the largest expense for retirees. If your current home is too expensive to maintain, consider downsizing to a smaller place, moving to a lower-cost area, or exploring senior housing programs. Relocating can free up equity and reduce utility bills, property taxes, and maintenance costs.

住房通常是退休人员最大的开支。如果现在的房子维护成本太高，可以考虑换小一点的房子、搬到生活成本较低的地区，或了解老年人住房项目。搬迁可以释放房屋净值，并减少水电费、房产税和维护成本。

Transportation is another major category. If you own a car, compare the cost of insurance, fuel, maintenance, and registration against alternatives like public transit, ride-sharing, or senior transportation services. Selling a second vehicle or switching to a more fuel-efficient car can also save money.

交通是另一个主要类别。如果您有车，将保险、燃油、维护和注册费用与公共交通、拼车或长者交通服务进行比较。出售第二辆车或换成更省油的车型也能省钱。

Review your insurance policies annually. You may be paying for coverage you no longer need, or you may qualify for senior discounts. Shop around for better rates on home, auto, and supplemental health insurance. A few phone calls can lead to meaningful savings.

每年审查保险保单。您可能在为不再需要的保障付费，或可以享受长者折扣。货比三家，寻找更优惠的房屋、汽车和补充健康保险费率。几个电话就可能带来可观的节省。

Maximize Your Income Sources / 最大化收入来源

Stretching your savings is only one side of the equation. The other side is making sure you receive all the income you are entitled to. Review your Social Security statement to confirm your benefit amount and explore whether delaying claims could increase your monthly payments. If you are still healthy enough to work part-time, even a modest income can reduce how much you withdraw from savings.

让储蓄持久只是等式的一边。另一边是确保您获得所有应得的收入。查看社会保障报表，确认福利金额，并了解延迟申领是否会增加每月支付。如果您的健康状况允许兼职工作，即使收入不高，也能减少从储蓄中提取的金额。

Look into programs designed for low-income seniors. You may qualify for assistance with food, utilities, prescription drugs, property taxes, or healthcare premiums. Organizations such as SNAP, LIHEAP, and Medicare Savings Programs exist specifically to help older adults make ends meet.

了解为低收入长者设计的项目。您可能有资格获得食品、水电、处方药、房产税或医疗保险保费方面的援助。补充营养援助计划（SNAP）、低收入家庭能源援助计划（LIHEAP）和医疗保险储蓄计划等组织专门帮助老年人维持生计。

If you have investments, consider working with a fee-only financial advisor to review your portfolio. A professional can help you balance growth and safety, minimize taxes, and create a sustainable withdrawal strategy. Avoid advisors who earn commissions from selling products, as their recommendations may not be in your best interest.

如果您有投资，可以考虑咨询仅收取费用的理财顾问来审查投资组合。专业人士可以帮助您平衡增长与安全、减少税收，并制定可持续的提取策略。避免使用靠销售产品赚取佣金的顾问，因为他们的建议可能不符合您的最佳利益。

Manage Healthcare Costs Strategically / 策略性管理医疗成本

Healthcare is one of the biggest threats to retirement savings. Start by understanding your Medicare coverage, including what Parts A, B, C, and D cover and what gaps remain. Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment to ensure you have the most cost-effective option for your needs.

医疗成本是对退休储蓄最大的威胁之一。首先要了解您的医疗保险（Medicare）覆盖范围，包括A、B、C、D各部分涵盖的内容以及仍存在哪些缺口。在开放注册期间比较Medigap和Medicare Advantage计划，确保选择最适合您需求、最具成本效益的方案。

Use preventive care to catch problems early. Annual wellness visits, screenings, and vaccinations can prevent expensive treatments later. Ask your doctor whether generic medications are available, and use pharmacy discount programs or mail-order services when appropriate.

利用预防性护理及早发现问题。年度体检、筛查和疫苗接种可以预防后期昂贵的治疗。询问医生是否有仿制药可用，并在适当时使用药房折扣计划或邮购服务。

Consider health savings accounts, long-term care insurance, or other tools that can protect your assets if serious illness occurs. While these options may not be right for everyone, they are worth exploring with a trusted advisor. Planning for healthcare expenses today can prevent financial disaster tomorrow.

考虑健康储蓄账户、长期护理保险或其他工具，以防重病发生时保护您的资产。虽然这些选择可能不适合所有人，但值得与值得信赖的顾问探讨。今天为医疗费用做好规划，可以避免明天的财务灾难。

Avoid Common Financial Mistakes / 避免常见财务错误

One common mistake is withdrawing too much from retirement accounts too early. A general guideline is to withdraw no more than 4 percent of your total savings per year, though your personal situation may require a different rate. Withdrawing large amounts can trigger taxes, penalties, and a faster decline in your account balance.

一个常见错误是过早从退休账户中提取过多资金。一般建议每年提取总额不超过4%，尽管您的个人情况可能需要不同比例。大额提取可能触发税费、罚款，并导致账户余额更快下降。

Another mistake is helping adult children or grandchildren at the expense of your own security. It is natural to want to support family, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. Set clear boundaries and make sure your own needs are met before offering financial assistance.

另一个错误是以牺牲自身安全为代价帮助成年子女或孙辈。想要支持家人是人之常情，但您不能从空杯中倒水。在提供经济帮助之前，先设定明确界限，确保自己的需求得到满足。

Be cautious about financial scams targeting seniors. Fraudsters often pose as government officials, grandchildren in distress, or investment advisors promising unrealistic returns. Never give personal or financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call and trust the recipient.

警惕针对长者的金融诈骗。骗子常冒充政府官员、陷入困境的孙辈，或承诺不切实际回报的投资顾问。除非是您主动拨打的电话且信任对方，否则切勿在电话中透露个人或财务信息。

Stay Flexible and Review Often / 保持灵活并定期审查

Retirement is not a single phase; it evolves as your health, lifestyle, and the economy change. Review your budget and investment strategy at least once a year, or whenever a major life event occurs. Adjust your spending, savings rate, and withdrawal strategy as needed.

退休不是一个单一阶段，它会随着您的健康、生活方式和经济状况变化而演变。每年至少审查一次预算和投资策略，或在发生重大生活事件时进行审查。根据需要调整支出、储蓄率和提取策略。

Keep learning about personal finance. Many community centers, libraries, and online resources offer free classes for seniors. The more you understand, the more confident you will feel making decisions about your money.

持续学习个人理财知识。许多社区中心、图书馆和在线资源为长者提供免费课程。您了解得越多，对金钱决策就会越有信心。

Finally, remember that financial security is about more than numbers. It is about having enough stability to enjoy your life, support your health, and maintain your independence. With careful planning and regular attention, your retirement savings can support you for many years to come.

最后，请记住财务安全不仅仅是数字。它关乎拥有足够的稳定性来享受生活、维护健康和保持独立。通过仔细规划和持续关注，您的退休储蓄可以在未来许多年持续支持您。

When to Seek Professional Help / 何时寻求专业帮助

If you feel overwhelmed by financial decisions, consider speaking with a certified financial planner or a nonprofit credit counselor. These professionals can help you create a plan, reduce debt, and make sense of complex options. Look for advisors who charge hourly fees or flat rates rather than commissions.

如果您对财务决策感到不知所措，可以考虑咨询注册理财规划师或非营利信贷顾问。这些专业人士可以帮助您制定计划、减少债务并理解复杂选择。寻找按小时收费或收取固定费用而非佣金的顾问。

Your local Area Agency on Aging can connect you with free or low-cost financial counseling services. Legal aid organizations may also help with estate planning, advance directives, and consumer protection issues. You do not have to figure everything out alone.

您当地的老龄化区域服务机构可以帮您联系免费或低成本的财务咨询服务。法律援助组织也可以协助处理遗产规划、预先指示和消费者权益保护问题。您不必独自面对所有问题。

Read more: Essential Financial Planning for Solo Agers: Securing Your Retirement Alone

A personal note: If you ever feel stuck or just need someone to talk to, remember that you are not alone. Thousands of solo agers are navigating this same path. Reach out to a friend, join our community, or simply take a walk outside. Connection starts with one small step.