Turning fixed income into emergency cash

Did you know that 36 percent of baby boomers plan to retire almost exclusively on Social Security? This 2014 statistic by the latest Transamerica Study on Retirement is actually more frightening than it seems. In the 2007 study, 26 percent of baby boomers planned to use Social Security as the basis for their retirement. Fixed income dependence appears to be on the rise.

There are benefits to fixed income, of course. Social Security provides a safety net, and annuity payments provide security for the long term. Unfortunately, the fixed income can’t do it all. While monthly payments provide a steady income with cost-of-living adjustments, they can’t bridge the gap when an emergency strikes. It can be challenging for your client to find a large lump sum if he is relying almost exclusively on steady, fixed income.

Fortunately, there are several ways to turn fixed income payments into emergency cash. You and your client will need to find the best solution based on the time frame, amount needed and fixed income and assets into lump sums.

Selling assets

It can be challenging to part with assets and many of your clients will balk at the idea of selling off special items in order to raise cash. They may be holding real estate that they inherited from their own parents or perhaps a special boat or motorcycle that represents some of their freedom in retirement.

When it comes down to it, however, selling a camper you use once per year to raise money for medical bills or major housing repairs just makes sense. Sometimes selling big items makes the most sense – you obviously will make more selling the car nobody drives – but you can make quite a bit selling smaller items as well.

Many retirees are sitting on treasure troves of collectibles and antiques. Encourage your clients to have an estate sale or find a few carefully chosen items to sell through the classified or a local auction house. Old jewelry and watches alone may raise thousands of dollars.