She’s debt-free, has some savings and no major expenses. But at 60, Andrea still isn’t sure she can buy a home or retire — and she called into The Ramsey Show to ask if it’s even possible.
“I want to own a home and retire one day,” the Phoenix, Arizona resident told co-hosts George Kamel and Dr. John Delony.
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But with a modest monthly income of $2,864 and no retirement strategy in place, she’s unsure how — or if — she can make that dream a reality. Here’s the skinny on her retirement plan and how it can help you.
Breaking down her income
Andrea lives with her son and his family and only pays for car insurance, gas and the occasional incidental. That leaves her with approximately $2,154 each month to save.
She has $69,000 in a 401(k) and $45,000 in a savings account. She’s also considering relocating to Ohio, where her aging siblings live, to be closer to family and cut living costs.
Andrea works in medical records and hopes to move to a remote role at her company that pays about $40,000 annually. She’s also certified in medical coding but hasn’t worked in that role.
The hosts quickly identified her biggest hurdle: boosting her income.
“What you’re facing here, Andrea, is an income problem,” Kamel said. “We’ve gotta get your income up because that’s going to create more margin for you to save for that home.”
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Saving for retirement at 60
Starting late doesn’t mean it’s too late. At 60, Andrea still has solid options to grow her retirement savings.
1. Put money away for a down payment
The hosts recommended using her $45,000 as both an emergency fund and a down payment reserve. They advised setting aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses as a safety net, with the rest going toward a future home purchase.
2. Invest 15% of her income into retirement
Andrea said she’s currently investing only about 1%. The hosts stressed that saving alone isn’t enough. They encouraged her to invest in mutual funds through her retirement account. If done consistently, she could see 10-12% average returns over time.
3. Pursue higher-paying roles
With her experience and certification in medical coding, Andrea could land a better-paying remote job. While her starting salary is $40,000, the field offers room to grow.
“ Even if it’s not the exact role you want, I would just try to get on a ladder,” Kamel said.
4. Continue living with family or find a roommate
To keep saving aggressively, the hosts suggested Andrea stay with her son or consider moving in with her siblings once she’s in Ohio.
“It might not be ideal,” Delony said, “ but I love the idea of you saving money over the next five or 10 or 15 years until somebody can help you.
5. Adjust expectations around retirement
Andrea may need to work into her 70s to reach her goals. That’s not uncommon — in 2022, 24% of men and about 15% of women ages 65 and older were still in the labour force, according to the Population Reference Bureau.
“ You know you got $69,000 in that retirement account,” Kamel said. “(If) you keep investing, let’s say, a thousand bucks a month. If you can do that to 72, you’ll have over half a million in that nest egg. ”
He added that she could also get a reasonable mortgage to avoid paying rent forever.
Andrea’s situation underscores a growing concern for older Americans: how to make a smooth and comfortable transition to retirement. The co-hosts stressed that with focus and a solid long-term plan, Andrea still has a real shot at a meaningful future.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
