COVID-19 Stage 2: Prepare Your Portfolio and Your Life
It’s time to face the music. The effects of this pandemic are going to be more long-lasting than we may have first thought.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Newsletter sign up Newsletter

The COVID-19 epidemic has changed all our lives. Just as we hoped for a slowing of the disease in the summer and a return to normalcy, increasing cases across the country leads to questions about how life might be impacted for the rest of the year and into 2021. How can you prepare your portfolio and your lifestyle to the resurgent risks?
1. Accept that COVID-19 will impact us longer than we thought
From the very beginning, stay-at-home orders and restrictions were sold as temporary measures, but they are turning into longer-lasting, lifestyle-changing rules. Initially, it was common to make plans three months out, hoping things would be back to normal. With your portfolio, you might have thought the same thing: This is a temporary induced market event; things will be better in six months.
What the resurgent virus is showing, is that until there is a vaccine, a therapeutic or until society finds a better way to cope, this virus will impact economic activity likely well in to 2021. That could also mean continued volatile markets over that longer period.

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.
Since 1900, the average recession has lasted about 15 months (opens in new tab). The recession of 2020 officially started in February. Investors need to be prepared for a prolonged economic impact.
2. Re-evaluate risk
The risk you were willing to take at the beginning of the year might not be the same amount of risk you are willing to take now. That is OK as we are facing some of the biggest fundamental threats to the economy in the history of the country. How much risk are you willing to take? It’s something you consistently should be addressing in your portfolio. Are there sectors you want to avoid or companies to get out of? What about your income plan in retirement? Should you turn on Social Security earlier and let your investments weather the storm? The banks recently went through a stress test to gauge their ability to handle a prolonged downturn. It’s time to put your own retirement plan through a similar stress test.
3. Instead of burying your head in the sand, ask more questions
Times like these require being more informed. For the past decade, investors have been rewarded for doing nothing as the S&P 500 rallied over 400% from the market lows of 2008. The next decade might require more knowledge to navigate. Some of the winners of the past might not be the same winners of the economy of the future.
The most important thing is to have your eyes open to the world around you. Ask your adviser how much risk you are exposed to. If you have international or small-cap holdings or complex financial instruments, ask why. Any strategy, any investment, and any adviser should welcome questions and be willing to help communicate through these challenging times. Sometimes staying the course with a long-term strategy makes sense, but it is important to consistently evaluate your options and stay informed of the changing landscape.
4. Tax advantage of lower tax rates now
The federal government spent an overwhelming amount during the first and second quarter of this year to support the economy. This included trillions in relief to individuals and businesses alike. The federal debt has ballooned (at $26.5 trillion and counting), and finding a way to repay that debt in the decades ahead will be challenging. One obvious way to repay that debt is through higher taxes. This could include higher income taxes and higher capital gain taxes. It might make sense to harvest gains in some of your non-IRA accounts. Resetting your tax base allows you to take advantage of historically low capital gains tax rates, and the after-tax asset could provide advantages in your long-term income plan.
You also may want to consider a Roth conversion with assets that have been negatively impacted by volatility. Consider paying taxes on a portion of your IRA now if your account is lower, and when the position recovers you will enjoy the tax-free benefits of the Roth.
5. Embrace a different phase in your retirement
I spoke with a client recently who just retired, and she mentioned how much the social distancing and restrictions have taken the joy out what she had been planning. She was planning trips and vacations and more time with friends — and now that was all on hold.
As disappointing as these adjustments have been, push yourself to try something new and find new ways to enjoy the world around you. Try renting an electric bicycle and go for ride on the beach boardwalk. Organize a virtual game night via Zoom. Rent an RV and take that road trip you always wanted.
Did you know there are over 12 world class museums you can visit online (opens in new tab)?
And there are 33 National Parks you can scout out virtually (opens in new tab)?
This is a unique phase in your life. Try to find as much joy as you can during the craziness.
6. Contain the noise
As much as we need to stay informed, educated and up to date in the world, make sure you don’t overdo it. It is so easy to let the issues of the world overwhelm us and consume our attention and energy. Look at your investments, watch the news, but not all day every day. Decide on conscious ways to take care of your mental health and limit any of those engagements that overwhelm you.
As we embark on this next phase of the COVID-19 epidemic, it’s important to have our eyes open about the challenges ahead but face it with courage and grace and make the best of it.
Investment Adviser Representative of USA Financial Securities. Member FINRA/SIPC A Registered Investment Advisor. CA license # 0G89727 https://brokercheck.finra.org/ (opens in new tab)
Scot Landborg has over 17 years of experience advising clients on retirement planning strategies. Scot is CEO and Senior Wealth Adviser for Sterling Wealth Partners (opens in new tab). He is host of the retirement planning podcast Retire Eyes Wide Open. Scot is a regular contributor to Kiplinger.com and has been quoted in "U.S. News & World Report," Market Watch, Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq and Investopedia. He also formally hosted the nationally syndicated radio show "Smart Money Talk Radio."
-
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Gains After Busy Day of Blue-Chip Earnings
Travelers and 3M were two Dow components that reported earnings today.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
9 Best Stocks for Rising Interest Rates
stocks The Federal Reserve has been aggressive in its rate hiking, and it's likely not done yet. Here are nine of the best stocks for rising interest rates.
By Jeff Reeves • Published
-
6 Questions Your Financial Adviser Should be Asking
To effectively help you with your retirement strategy, a retirement professional must get a clear picture of what you have and what you need.
By Tyler Hill, Investment Adviser Representative • Published
-
Financial Planning Should Be Intergenerational
Overcoming the unspoken rule that money is too taboo a topic to discuss among family members is important going forward. The reality is that families, at some point, will need to be on the same page about wealth planning.
By Aditi Javeri Gokhale • Published
-
In Retirement Planning, What’s Your Retirement Personality?
There are many ways to think about retirement planning, and your personality can influence yours. If your personality and plan match, you have a greater chance of retirement success.
By Samuel V. Gaeta, CFP® • Published
-
Inflation’s Toll: Cuts to Retirement Savings and Health Care
Many consumers struggling to make ends meet amid inflation are reducing retirement planning and health care, both of which can have disastrous results later in life. A professional could help.
By Kristi Martin Rodriguez • Published
-
Considering a Roth IRA Conversion? 6 Reasons It Makes Sense
Avoiding possibly higher taxes in retirement, having no RMDs and the markets being lower are just three reasons to switch to a Roth IRA.
By Kevin Webb, CFP® • Published
-
Am I Going to Be OK in Retirement? Yes, With Focus on 5 Key Areas
All it takes is protecting what you save, having an income plan, knowing your health care options, reducing your tax burden and making an estate plan.
By John Goodhue • Published
-
Estate Planning? 3 Ways to Know If Your Financial Adviser ‘Gets It’
If they understand the value and mechanics of estate planning, they can offer you peace of mind and the support your loved ones will need when you’re gone.
By Allison L. Lee, Esq. • Published
-
2023 Investment Outlook’s Big Question Focuses on Recession
Fundamentals, earnings and diversification are key after a year that left us feeling like we have a bit of a hangover.
By Michael Aloi, CFP® • Published