Riding Out Market Storms

Volatility can make your stomach churn, and the volatility of an unstable stock market causes even the most-savvy investors to reach for the Pepto-Bismol. So you may be surprised to hear stock market volatility can actually be a good thing — at least for your retirement savings.

Say you are investing $500 in a stock mutual fund in your 401(k) each month. If the market dips on payday, you are in luck. Why? Because you will get more shares for your money than you would if the market were moving up and share prices rising. It is like going shopping and finding everything you need on sale.

Remember you have a long-term investing horizon, and that in time, the market has a history of going up. Keep that perspective in mind when the market dips and you begin to worry about your money.

Here are some ways you can protect your retirement funds from market moves.

Stay alert at the wheel
It is a good idea to keep your eye on the economic indicators, those reports issued by the government and other organizations that take the temperature of the economy. When higher inflation and interest rates threaten, do not panic. But think about diversifying your assets so your portfolio continues to perform well. In sustained economic good times, stocks and bonds do well. Once you are well invested in those, you may consider expanding into such things as real estate investment trusts (REITs), which have traditionally been good hedges against inflation.

Keep your balance
Rebalance your retirement portfolio every once in a while, and remember that your goal is to make money. Sometimes that means you should take profits on an investment that has done well. Periodically readjust your allocation among stocks or funds to keep your portfolio in line with your ideal asset allocation. Changes in the market can cause one fund or stock to become too large a percentage of your holdings, which increases your risk. If the value of your large-cap stock fund is now 35 percent, while your bond fund has declined to 15 percent, re-balance by selling some stocks and buying more bonds. You’ll be selling high and buying low, the classic investment strategy.

Cut your tax bill
Keep more of your savings for yourself by reducing your taxable income through retirement savings. In addition to allowing you to accumulate wealth, your retirement plan allows you to shrink your tax bill. Invest as much as you can in your 401(k) or other employer plan, as well as in Roth IRAs and Keogh plans.

Greed is not good
Volatile stock markets are risky enough. Do not take further risks by getting greedy. Forget about pursuing hot stock tips or chasing the latest IPO. Your retirement accounts are not the place to take chances. They are the place for sustained, steady asset growth.

Stay liquid
If you are already retired and living on your retirement assets, it is a good idea to move money out of stocks during volatile times. Keep enough money in savings accounts, certificates of deposit and short-term bond funds to meet your income needs for a year or longer. That way you will not be forced to sell stocks when the market is down. It is better to plan ahead so you can sit tight and ride out any market storms.

2 thoughts on “Riding Out Market Storms”

  1. If your husband wants to be trusted, he has to be trustworthy. I suggest you insist on both attending counseling for money and trust. You are exchanging the power of money for his ego, or for your being ensured of his affection. If it leaves you hanging financially, that’s another form of abuse and you are buying into it. Sorry to be harsh, but sometimes its hard to see from the inside of a relationship. I suggest you find your own attorney to sort out the legal issues and questions. I smell BS on the beneficiary thing – it might be that he has surrendered resources into a trust in order to avoid taxes. If it’s irrevocable, then he might be giving you the straight story (sort of). Also, if you have resources and are worried about your financial future, you should be able to get guidance and establish a plan and trustee, etc. Finally, if you were with your first husband for ten years, you have access to a portion of his social security when you decide to take it. Furthermore, there are many, many, many attorneys who represent disabled people to get disability from the federal government. I did that. It took a few years, but it came through in about two or three years. If you start now and end up being evaluated at 60, you will be in the ‘grid’ where the SSA is inclined to approve your disability. So that’s another source of support that you could work with an estate attorney to protect for your future well-fare. Good luck.

  2. I am the spending police and I hate it. I am remarried. I knew that my husband now married for ten years huad debt and money problems. He saved me from an abusive husband and I felt so much Gratitude. Hiis previous wife took over the finances and he wanted someone who trusted him. I gave him carte blancce/complete control of our finances. In addition, I developed psoriatic arthritis and Parkinson’s disease and feelt extremely fatigued. Our home is going into foreclosure and myy husband hired an attorney who only declared my husband bankrupt and I am afriad this will come back to bite me even though he reassures me that everything is okay and not to worry, he only uses my name for our car loan and vetinary bills. We lived together at the time of his retirement and I found out that he did not declare me as a benefiary because he wanted more income and he thought I would work during the marriage.I did bring income to the marriage and we bought a house. Again, to bolster his ego , I gae him the green light to pay billls for mortgage,taxes, etc He suad we have no equity in our home after living here for 10 years. Is this possible. My husband is a generous, helpful man but becomes irritable when I want to discuss finances. he agreed to work with me paying bills but he seems reluctant. I forgot to add that whenn I confronted him about him not leaving me as a beneificiary, he told me that once he made that choic, he could not change it. As a way of making amends ,He took out a life insurance policy and pays i think $1800/not sure oover 1000 per month for Kansass life insurance policy. I am scared due to having Parkinsonn’s disease that he may use the life insurance to pay down any future debt after the bankruptcy period ends and he has credit again. I love him and know that hiis intetions are good but he is impulsive and sometimes lies about our finances. my father left approximately 3/4 million dollars and he claims that nothing is left due to attorney fees,etc What can you suggiest that I do to help him become moore respnsible. He is 70 yrs old and I am 57 yrs old. I am afraid that I will be left alone with no help. There does not seem to be any agency that helps women with nsurodegenerative disorders devlop a plan. The insurance $500,000 will not cover the costs of a nursing home that is decent.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top