Most retired investors need more income. Some retired investors continue to require portfolio growth. Others are in a pretty good place, but worry more about survivor and legacy issues.
That said, there are four pillars that must form the foundation of every retiree’s wealth protection plan. They address the most common concerns that almost every senior and retiree shares; concerns that must be addressed when crafting a successful plan.
Pillar One: Lifetime Income
Above all, income is job one. There is no other single issue that is more important to a retiree than having adequate and dependable income. Because of that, investment dollars must first be allocated to generating an income stream that will last a lifetime. In other words, income you can’t outlive. The common first questions about income are:
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Is my current income adequate?
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If not, how can I have more?
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And finally, will it last a lifetime?
Pillar Two: Principal Protection
When market risk is simply unacceptable, guaranteed principal-protected growth opportunities are the solution that most seniors will be well to adopt. Unprotected investments, like the kind that did so well for you as you were climbing the ladder and building your nest egg, have simply become too risky.
The break even math required to repair your portfolio from real or paper market losses is simply a risk you cannot afford to take, given the shorter time horizons that all retirees operate in.
Pillar Three: Portfolio Growth
Only after your income requirements are met, and you enjoy adequate principal protection of the majority of your portfolio should you go on to the final goal: continued growing of assets.
Unprotected investments…have simply become too risky.
Growth requires risk, yet ever present inflation means both rising prices and the reduced purchasing power of your money. But not growing assets has its own risks. Combine that with increased life expectancy, due to advances in nutrition, healthcare and medicine, and you have a better than average chance of still requiring portfolio growth.
Living longer means not only the need for dependable income you cannot outlive, but also a rising income based on inflation, constantly rising prices. Inflation also means that some portion of your portfolio should still be positioned for growth.
If there are assets that are available after the income needs have been met, it is advisable that retirees look for growth opportunities.
Pillar Four: A Meaningful Legacy
The bottom line: As you live longer, and as inflation erodes your dollar, you are quite likely to require growth from your investments, so protection, growth and income become a critical balancing act.
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