Retirement might be the last thing on your mind as a small-business owner but don’t neglect to plan for it. After all your hard work, you deserve to enjoy your retirement to the fullest. Learn how you can plan for retirement as a small business owner and what factors to consider as you look to the next chapter.

Retirement Factors To Consider As A Small-Business Owner

Retirement for small-business owners usually looks a little different than retirement for traditional employees. Some factors to consider before you retire include:

• Income in retirement: How will you get income during retirement? You might decide to sell the business to cover expenses after you retire, or you might choose to make investments you can use for income in your later years.
• Your employees: If you have employees, what will they do once you’ve retired? You may feel responsible for their livelihoods and their future retirement plans.
• Your retirement lifestyle: After pouring your heart and soul into your business, you may find it tough to walk away. Think about what you can do in retirement that will make you feel the same excitement and passion, whether it’s traveling, learning a new skill, or spending more time with grandkids.

Set Your Retirement Goals

Similar to how you set goals for your business, you should establish goals for your retirement, too. Consider factors like where you plan to live, the expenses you will have, and the income you will need to afford your desired lifestyle. Additionally, ask yourself how old you want to be when you retire and how much money you need to save by then.

Make A Retirement Plan

Compared to traditional employees, small-business owners have different retirement plans they can pursue. Do your research to choose the right plan for you. Some common retirement plans for small-business owners include:

• IRA plans: Depending on your business structure, you can open a simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA or a savings incentive match plan for employees (SIMPLE) IRA. A SEP IRA is designed for business owners with at least one employee, while a SIMPLE IRA is for self-employed individuals with 100 or fewer employees. Both plans allow you to contribute to retirement accounts for you and your employees.
• Self-employed 401(k): If you have no employees, you might consider a self-employed 401(k). Similar to a traditional 401(k), you contribute money to the account, but you act as both the employer and the employee. You can contribute earned income up to a certain contribution limit, in addition to nonelective contributions.

Consider Your Investments

Before retirement, evaluate the value of your investments, such as stocks and bonds. If you’re concerned that your investments won’t provide enough financial security, take steps to expand your portfolio. Work with a financial adviser to determine the investments you can make to reach your retirement goals.

For example, an annuity can be a great way to invest for retirement. You purchase an annuity from an investment company by paying a lump sum or making payments to an annuity fund. Once you’ve retired, you’ll receive monthly payments from the fund that you can use as a steady source of income.

Have An Exit Strategy

Once you know your retirement and investment plans, it’s also essential to consider your exit strategy for retirement. For example, you may want to sell the business before you retire, or you may prefer to find someone who can take it over. If you want to sell the business, have a flexible strategy in place. That way, you’re prepared in case the economy or market conditions experience a downswing.

Know The Future Value Of The Business

You’ve undoubtedly invested significant time and money into your small business. When it comes time to determine its value, you need to remain objective so you have an accurate idea of its worth. That’s especially true if you plan to use the sale of your business to fund your retirement.

It’s helpful to conduct a business valuation as you estimate the future value of your business. Typically, this valuation considers the market value of your business’s assets and calculates future revenue projections based on historical data. This valuation can also be helpful to determine factors that may impact your business’s future value, so you can make adjustments as needed.

With some planning and preparation, you can retire from your business successfully — when you’re ready, of course. For more help, consider working with a financial or business adviser who can guide the retirement plans and investments that are right for you and your business.

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