Did you ever have a good dream suddenly take an awful turn — so awful you woke up and your heart was pounding?
That’s how recent bouts of volatility must have felt for those who grew complacent during the bull market’s mostly tranquil growth. When the elevator that had been rising so steadily started to bump and rock and drop at the end of January, it was a reminder that the market is — and always has been — unpredictable. And if you haven’t assessed where your portfolio stands when it comes to risk, now is the time to wake up and take a look.
That doesn’t mean you should panic. In fact, that’s the worst thing you could do. When investors get spooked, they make mistakes. Your goal should be to have a plan in place that keeps you on course even when the market does take a turn, whether it’s a correction, a crash or a bear market. Here are some steps you should take now:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
1. Be proactive.
Don’t wait for bad news and then start making moves. Look at your portfolio now to determine if it’s still a fit for where you are in your life. Sometimes investors pick a stock-bond mix and forget to adjust it as they get closer to retirement. Suddenly, the market drops and they realize — too late — that their risk isn’t as moderate or conservative as they thought. It’s important to look at your timeline, adjust your risk tolerance accordingly and rebalance regularly to maintain an appropriate asset allocation.
2. Have a safe harbor.
If you’re invested only in stocks and bonds and you’re worried about a market meltdown, consider further diversifying your portfolio. Look for something that isn’t correlated to the market (precious metals, for example), or talk to your adviser about safer investments (such as U.S. Treasuries) and put a portion of your savings there. That way, if the market is doing poorly, you’ll have other investments that are OK.
3. Keep your retirement income top of mind.
The quality of your life when you stop working will depend largely on the quality of your cash flow. Make income your priority in the planning process, and you’ll have a better shot at your nest egg lasting the duration of your retirement (which could be 20 or 30 years … or more). If you don’t have a pension through your employer, or if you’re concerned about a shortfall in guaranteed income, talk to a retirement professional about creating your own pension with a fixed index annuity or market-linked CD.
I see a lot of portfolios when I meet with people, but what I don’t see are a lot of plans that integrate risk management, income and inflation strategies, tax efficiency and long-term care and estate planning.
As I write this, the market appears to have stabilized. That’s a good thing, of course, but it isn’t a sign that you should fall back into a smug slumber. It actually makes this a great time to talk to your adviser about what you hope to accomplish — what makes your heart beat faster in a good way — and then to choreograph a plan that will help make it happen.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Investment advisory services offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors, (RWA) a Registered Investment Adviser. Educated Wealth Center and RWA are not affiliated.
No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. Annuity guarantees rely on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments, and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products. They do not refer, in any way, to securities or investment advisory products. Fixed insurance and annuity are not offered by Retirement Wealth Advisors.
-
The Most Popular Apps for Retirement Planning in 2025A J.D. Power survey ranks retirement planning apps based on customer service and satisfaction. Does your financial app make the cut?
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary FormsStandard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary Forms
Standard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams NowBeyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on RetirementWhile some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
-
One Small Step for Your Money, One Giant Leap for RetirementSaving enough for retirement can sound as daunting as walking on the moon. But what would your future look like if you took one small step toward it this year?
-
This Is What You Really Need to Know About Medicare, From a Financial ExpertHealth care costs are a significant retirement expense, and Medicare offers essential but complex coverage that requires careful planning. Here's how to navigate Medicare's various parts, enrollment periods and income-based costs.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Could Partial Retirement Be the Right Move for You?Many Americans close to retirement are questioning whether they should take the full leap into retirement or continue to work part-time.
-
From Mortgages to Taxes to Estates: How to Prepare for Falling Interest RatesAs speculation grows that the Federal Reserve will soon start lowering interest rates, now is a good time to review your financial plans for housing, estate, taxes, investing and retirement to make the most of potential changes.
-
This Is How Lottery Winners Build Lasting Legacies, From a Financial ProfessionalWinning a massive lottery jackpot, like the recent $1.4 billion Powerball, requires seeking immediate legal and financial counsel, protecting your identity and winnings and planning your legacy.
