The Informed Investor

How to Manage Your Investments When Close to Retirement

Investment Counsel Company

August 24, 2022

If you are nearing retirement, many emotions may be bubbling to the surface. Will the investments you’ve made over your life sustain you? Do you need to be investing more aggressively? Has your risk tolerance changed? And how should you be investing at this stage in life? Here’s an overview of what to know about managing your investments as you prepare to retire.

  1. Markets Matter

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, surging inflation, and the war in Ukraine, the stock market was continually rising. As of this writing, Americans have lost half a trillion dollars in wealth in the first six months of 2022.  Although some speculate that the losses will be pared by the end of the year, there is no denying that many investment portfolios have taken significant losses. As such, if you’re approaching retirement, further investments should be discussed with a trusted, experienced financial advisor who can provide you with objective, unbiased guidance.

  1. Review Your 401(k) ASAP

If you have not reviewed your 401k this year, it’s time to schedule a consultation with your wealth manager or financial advisor. It is generally not advisable to change your investment strategy based on several months of subpar returns, but it may be time to evaluate your risk tolerance as you near retirement and reallocate some of your investments. This is where it is very important to consult with an investment expert who can provide perspective and an overview of the pros and cons of any changes to your investment strategy.

  1. Consider Opportunities

Some believe that more money may be made over the long term by investing in a bear market. This does not mean that it’s right for you. It does mean that it is worth discussing with your financial advisor, particularly if you are retiring relatively young, or if you plan to have new streams of revenue in the future.

  1. Look to History

Bear markets, such as we are experiencing now, are not an anomaly. Historically they come along once or twice a decade. They aren’t historically very long-lasting, averaging two years or less. Knowing that the market goes through peaks and valleys should reassure you that your investments should recover, and your patience will pay off.  If you’re close to retirement, talk with a financial advisor who has demonstrated long-term success for clients in a variety of markets who can provide you with perspective and judgment to help you decide on your best course of action.

  1. Avoid Abandoning Your Investment Strategy

If you are nearing retirement in today’s bear market, you should not abandon the strategies that have fueled your success thus far. If for example, you’re investing a set amount every month, three months, or six months, this can be a smart move in the long term, as it allows you to continue investing in your strategy.  Consult an experienced, well-respected fiduciary investment advisor to help you prudently preserve and grow your wealth.

Talk to a Financial Advisor About Whether Your Investment Strategy Should Change as You Near Retirement

Retirement is undeniably one of the biggest life changes you will experience. Whether or not you need to make adjustments to your investment strategy or retirement plan is a decision worthy of careful consideration. While today’s economy presents significant challenges, it may also present significant opportunities.

If you have $1,000,000 or more in investable assets and would like to put our investment management expertise to work, to protect all that you’ve worked for, and are soon to enjoy in retirement, contact us today at (702) 871-8510.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

The Investment Counsel Company of Nevada (“Company”) is an SEC registered investment adviser located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Company may only transact business in those states in which it is registered, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Company’s web site is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to its advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, and links. Accordingly, the publication of Company’s web site on the Internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Company’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Any subsequent, direct communication by Company with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of Company’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing Company’s business operations, services, and fees is available from Company upon written request. Company does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Company web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefore. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s).

Certain portions of Company’s web site (i.e. newsletters, articles, commentaries, etc.) may contain a discussion of, and/or provide access to, Company (and those of other investment and non-investment professionals) positions and/or recommendations as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current position(s) and/or recommendation(s). Moreover, no client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from Company, or from any other investment professional. Company is neither an attorney nor an accountant, and no portion of the web site content should be interpreted as legal, accounting or tax advice.

Please Note: Limitations: Neither rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Investment Counsel Company is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers (see below as to participation data/criteria, to the extent applicable). Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, Investment Counsel Company did not pay a fee to be included on any such ranking. No ranking or recognition should be construed as a current or past endorsement of Investment Counsel Company by any of its clients.

ANY QUESTIONS: ICC’s Chief Compliance Officer remains available to address any questions regarding rankings and/or recognitions, including the criteria used for any reflected ranking. Please review Important Disclosure Information set forth in the last section of this website.