Stock volatility during retirement

[Anonymous]

We’re in our early 60’s and meet our spending needs through a combination of SS, federal pension, and a private annuity. Our house is paid. Our kids are through college.

The issue is that we have about $3 million in retirement funds that we don’t need on a day-to-day basis but that we do remain aware of the balance, which is completely invested in stocks and can be volatile. The funds are in stocks because they are most likely for our kids. Nonetheless, the volatility/drawdowns bother me.

Anyone else in this situation? What’s your solution?

[Anonymous]

We are almost exactly in your situation. We are fully invested in stocks but plan to do ROTH conversion until we hit RMD age.

[Anonymous]

I am 100% invested in stocks and the volatility does not bother me at all. I am creating generational wealth for my kids to nurture and hopefully pass down to their kids. Maybe don't look at it so often?

[Anonymous]

If those funds are for your kids, do not look at your account. It only matters if you have to take RMDs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% invested in stocks and the volatility does not bother me at all. I am creating generational wealth for my kids to nurture and hopefully pass down to their kids. Maybe don't look at it so often?

Or move 25-30% into BOnds/Cash Alternatives/etc, so you don't stress as much, while growing the rest

[Anonymous]

You might consider a stock buffer fund. Depending on the fund, it will protect your downside 10-20% but cap your upside. Over the past five years, an S&P 500 fund has returned about 12% and a NASDAQ 100 fund has returned about 14%. Though those returns are well below the indexes themselves, they are much better than a 60/40 retirement fund with similar volatility.

[Anonymous]

We are in same boat. We moved some money to “safe” investments and some bonds to ensure we have a few years liquidity if needed and to hedge against big drop in the market. Otherwise we continue to invest in equities. Not a fun time to be retiring due to incredible uncertainties but we are lucky to have saved over these many years. Good luck to all.

[Anonymous]

Your house value goes up and down. Does that bother you the way the stocks do?
Concentrate on lowering taxes and setting your children up for financial success. You should continue investing from your three incomes but perhaps through your kids to lower estate.
The market upside is so much bigger than the downside and you know it. Think that the money is for your kids and they have 30+ years til they need it. Imagine going cash now with all the money printing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in same boat. We moved some money to “safe” investments and some bonds to ensure we have a few years liquidity if needed and to hedge against big drop in the market. Otherwise we continue to invest in equities. Not a fun time to be retiring due to incredible uncertainties but we are lucky to have saved over these many years. Good luck to all.

Well imagine if the last 10-15 years you had been only in bonds....you enjoyed the massive growth years along with the downturns, and should be way ahead overall

[Anonymous]

The solutions are to either ignore the news/noise or invest in one fund that includes bonds commensurate with your risk tolerance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% invested in stocks and the volatility does not bother me at all. I am creating generational wealth for my kids to nurture and hopefully pass down to their kids. Maybe don't look at it so often?

You are not bright are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am 100% invested in stocks and the volatility does not bother me at all. I am creating generational wealth for my kids to nurture and hopefully pass down to their kids. Maybe don't look at it so often?

You are not bright are you?

Ha ha! Sorry, I made 20M in the stock market. I think I can manage my stocks better than you.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I’d be a little more conservative and move whatever portion of the 3 mil that you might possibly need to access yourself into something more stable.

[Anonymous]

What are you worried about, since you don't anticipate needing the investments anytime soon? That the value will be permanently impaired over the long term? If you're well diversified in equities, there's little reason to expect that. An intelligent asset allocation can be expected to do well over time, don't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

OP, we’re not in your situation. It sounds like all your future expenses are met and your retirement fully funded. (Congrats!). If I had extra funds that I intended to leave for my kids, I would invest it with THEIR timeline in mind. Meaning, I’d have an allocation with much more equity than fixed income as I’d want that money to be long term growth.