Retirement reality changes investments

Scott Logan
Special to the Sun

Mon, May 12 2008

— As retirees live longer, their portfolios need to be stronger. Decades ago, the “typical” retiree left work for good between age 60-65 and typically passed away at about 70-75. Retirement lasted 10-12 years for many Americans. Now the picture has changed: Some of you will spend 30, 40, perhaps even 50 years in retirement. Imagine retiring at 55 and living to be 105 … it is possible. You may live much longer than your parents, and if so, you will need a lot more money.
A slight shift in outlook. Years ago, retirees were urged to invest conservatively — often, very conservatively. The idea was to build up your savings and net worth aggressively across two or three decades, and then adopt a risk-averse investment strategy for the “golden years.” But the reality of a 20- or 30-year retirement has changed that mentality.
The new presumption is that today’s retirees should never retire from accumulating wealth. Most Americans will not walk away from their careers with assets equivalent to 20- or 30-years worth of income. If you have $1 million in assets today, you may think you’ll have $50,000 a year to live on for 30 years. Sounds great, right? But that may not be enough. Questions of liquidity and taxes aside, what about the runaway costs of health care and eldercare? What about the effect of inflation across 30 years — do you remember what a gallon of gas or milk cost 30 years ago?
A new reality. We’re now seeing people in their sixties with the type of portfolios that people used to have in their forties — portfolios with stocks, mutual funds and other investments with appreciable risk.
Sometimes they have to invest this way because they haven’t accumulated sufficient wealth for retirement. Or, they are simply being pragmatic about their long-term need to sustain wealth and keep their retirement assets growing.
What types of investments should you retire with? The answer to that question only can be determined after you carefully consider some variables, such as the age at which you retire, the assets you have saved up, the lifestyle you want to enjoy, family and health considerations, and how comfortable you are with certain types of investments.
Be sure to speak with a certified financial planner professional who specializes in retirement income planning before you make a decision to revise your investment portfolio or make withdrawal elections that could result in adverse tax consequences.
Even if you are 10 or more years from retirement or plan to keep working into your seventies, the exercise should either raise some red flags, bring something to your attention that could further enhance your financial security or even encourage you to continue on your current path.
The forward progress you make would not only enhance your bottom line, but also provide greater peace of mind.

SCOTT LOGAN is a fee-only certified financial planner professional and registered investment adviser.