As we approach 2024, financial planning and retirement considerations are becoming increasingly important for many individuals. A series of articles have highlighted different aspects of this issue, providing insights into the financial decisions people are making.
One article from the Washington Post provides a guide to setting up finances for a better 2024. The article emphasizes the importance of reviewing bank and credit card statements, totaling emergency savings and debts, checking the security strength of financial accounts, reviewing credit reports and scores, looking at Social Security statements, reviewing retirement account balances, and taking an assessment of financial highs and lows for the year.
Meanwhile, a report from Business Insider Africa highlights how older Americans are turning to gig economy jobs, such as driving for Uber and Lyft, to supplement their income during retirement. The report suggests that as many as seven million gig workers, over half of whom are aged 60 or older, are missing from official government employment figures.
In the UK, a study warns that over five million individuals over the age of 50 are considering early retirement due to a lack of technology skills. The research estimates that around 5.3 million workers over the age of 50 are now considering retiring early, posing a risk to the already strained workforce. The report calls on businesses to invest more in developing the skills of their workers over 50 to prevent them from dropping out of the labor market.
However, an article from World News provides a contrasting perspective, suggesting that many individuals who took early retirement during the pandemic are not planning to return to work. The article discusses the trend of early retirement during the pandemic and the reasons why many are not returning to work, but does not provide any sources or references to support its claims.