7 Warren Buffett Quotes Every Retiree Should Live By
The 'Oracle of Omaha' knows a thing or two about life, investing and retirement.
When it comes to retirement advice, it doesn’t get better than Warren Buffett. The billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most successful investors worldwide is known for espousing sage advice on everything from investing to retiring.
He should know a thing or two about it. The 95-year-old has amassed a fortune, earning a cult-like following among investors who favor his value approach to investing.
Over the years, Buffett has shared his knowledge and wisdom in his company’s annual shareholder reports, at Berkshire's annual retreats, and during addresses to universities, institutions and think tanks. His advice is too plentiful to list, but here are some of Buffett’s gems that all retirees should live by.
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7 Warren Buffett Quotes Retirees Should Live By
1. “Too often, a vast collection of possessions ends up possessing its owner. The asset I most value, aside from health, is interesting, diverse, and long-standing friends.”
-My Philanthropic Pledge
Retirement doesn’t mean people stop collecting stuff, but Buffett wants us to focus elsewhere. Instead of seeking to acquire new things, we can focus on maintaining our health and nurturing friendships.
The Harvard Longevity Study, the longest-running study of adult life, concluded that good relationships are the strongest predictors of health and happiness, more so than career achievement, exercise, or diet.
2. "Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies."
-Berkshire Hathaway 2004 Annual Report
This is particularly important for retirees who are in the drawdown phase. Their portfolios should be focused on stable investments, not the hottest stocks or trends. Buffett is warning that excitement can lead to selling low and buying high.
Another risk: expenses. Every dollar a retiree pays in fees is one dollar less that can be used in retirement. That’s why Buffett prefers low-cost index funds and ETFs over actively-managed funds.
3. "Our favorite holding period is forever."
-Berkshire Hathaway 1988 Annual Report
Know when to hold 'em. Buffett certainly does — forever. With this quote, the "Oracle of Omaha" is advocating for investors, even retirees, to invest for the long term.
Retirement can last twenty-plus years, which means your savings have to continue to grow. The bucket rule of spending is one way to make sure it does that.
4. “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”
-Berkshire Hathaway 2004 Annual Report
FOMO is real, especially when it comes to investing. Nobody wants to miss out on the next tech boom or crypto craze. But you also don't want to overpay, and that’s what Buffett is warning about.
If everyone is chasing the stock, it may be time to cash out. If everyone is selling, it may be time to buy more. In essence, Buffett is preaching a strategy of selling high and buying low.
5. “When you get to my age, you’ll measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.”
-Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, 2001
For many people, their social and emotional well-being is tied to their work. After all, they've spent decades honing their trades. But that no longer matters in retirement. It's the relationships that are the true measure of success, in Buffett’s opinion.
Creating, fostering, and maintaining those relationships becomes the focus rather than making money. Buffett suggests happiness doesn’t come from how much money you have, but from whether the people you love love you back.
6. “Predicting rain doesn’t count; building the ark does."
-Berkshire Hathaway 2001 Annual Shareholder Report
If this year has taught retirees anything, staying the course tends to win out. It was true after the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009, during COVID and the big sell-off in 2024.
With this quote, Buffett is urging retirees to ignore market movements and stick to their long-term plans. The idea is to build a resilient retirement plan or an "ark" that will protect your money in downturns, so you don't have to worry about it.
7. "Ultimately, there's one investment that supersedes all others: Invest in yourself."
-Warren Buffett essay in Forbes, Sept. 20, 2017
Retirement isn't the end of the line; it's the beginning of your next chapter, which is why it's essential to continue paying attention to your health and well-being. You could live twenty or thirty years in retirement, so make the best of it by investing in yourself.
Just like you have a plan for your retirement savings, have one for your body and mind. How will you ensure you get exercise, purposefully spend your time, and nourish your mind? Those are all investments that Buffett believes matter more than anything else.
Buffett's notable quotables
This is just a small sampling of the words of wisdom Buffett has shared with the world in the years he has been investing.
Known for his modest and frugal approach to life, retirees can learn a thing or two from the legendary “Oracle of Omaha.”
Editor's note: This article is part of an ongoing series featuring the best retirement quotes and wisdom from top financial experts, leaders, and public figures. Other articles feature Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. Seuss, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Vince Lombardi, Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Nicks, George Carlin, Billy Joel and Dave Ramsey.
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