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:
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-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.
-
Stock Market Today: Have We Seen the Bottom for Stocks?Solid first-quarter earnings suggest fundamentals remain solid, and recent price action is encouraging too.
-
Is the GOP Secretly Planning to Raise Taxes on the Rich?Tax Reform As high-stakes tax reform talks resume on Capitol Hill, questions are swirling about what Republicans and President Trump will do.
-
Social Security Is Taxable, But There Are WorkaroundsIf you're strategic about your retirement account withdrawals, you can potentially minimize the taxes you'll pay on your Social Security benefits.
-
Serious Medical Diagnosis? Four Financial Steps to TakeA serious medical diagnosis calls for updates of your financial, health care and estate plans as well as open conversations with those who'll fulfill your wishes.
-
To Stay on Track for Retirement, Consider Doing ThisWriting down your retirement and income plan in an investment policy statement can help you resist letting a bear market upend your retirement.
-
How to Make Changing Interest Rates Work for Your RetirementHigher (or lower) rates can be painful in some ways and helpful in others. The key is being prepared to take advantage of the situation.
-
Within Five Years of Retirement? Five Things to Do NowIf you're retiring in the next five years, your to-do list should contain some financial planning and, according to current retirees, a few life goals, too.
-
The Home Stretch: Seven Essential Steps for Pre-RetireesThe decade before retirement is the home stretch in the race to quit work — but there are crucial financial decisions to make before you reach the finish line.
-
Three Options for Retirees With Concentrated Stock PositionsIf a significant chunk of your portfolio is tied up in a single stock, you'll need to make sure it won't disrupt your retirement and legacy goals. Here's how.
-
Four Reasons It May Be Time to Shop for New InsuranceYou may be unhappy with your insurance for any number of reasons, so once you've decided to shop, what is appropriate (or inappropriate) timing?
