The Markets & Your Retirement

It was approximately 16 months ago that we first discussed the coronavirus in these missives. At that time history was telling us that while viruses have a habit of forming frequently, rarely do they have effects on a global scale.   

Covid-19 is an outlier.  

No matter how you feel about Covid-19, it has had a major effect.  Life hasn’t been normal.

But maybe the markets have been acting normally all along.

First a massive sell-off in March 2020 as the markets recalibrated the potential economic risks of the Coronavirus. 

Then, the government pushes massive amounts of money into the system, eliminating much of the short term risk.

Finally, a massive rally higher in the markets, Tesla, NFT’s, SPAC’s, Bitcoin/Crypto, Bonds and Real Estate.

Yes, (almost) everything is going up.

A record 96% of the components in the all-encompassing Wilshire 5000 have seen positive returns in the past 12 months.

-CNBC, April 26, 2021

Stimulus, bailout and economic reopening.  All at the same time.  Driving markets higher.

Too much money chasing too few assets you say?  Chasing assets you’ve never even heard of before…A non-fungible token?  A SPAC’s? 

But still, the question becomes…

Will a market crash and hurt my retirement?

(Crash = 30% decline of the broad market indexes)

US Stock Markets – If the US Economy doesn’t show up as the markets expect it will, will the markets crash?

If Tesla (and other amazing companies like it) – can’t shore up it’s long-term profit picture, will the markets crash?

If Bitcoin were to crash it would take more than a trillion dollars with it.  Yes, 1 trillion dollars.  More likely, the entire cryptocurrency market. Will the markets crash?

And finally, the housing market.  Everyone is saying it’s different this time but with 2.7 million homeowners still not paying their mortgage (as of February), what will the effect be as these homes come to market after the government protections relent. Will the markets crash?

But before you attempt to answer these questions (which, in all reality, you cannot!), maybe focus on questions you can answer!

Questions like:

• How do I reach my retirement goals?
• How much do I need to save for retirement? 
• Can I afford to retire/what can I afford to spend in retirement?
• What is my necessary rate of return needed based on my retirement goals?
• How do I need to invest for my retirement?
• How do I turn my 401k/IRA into retirement income?
• Should I pay off my house before retirement?
• When should I take social security? How much will healthcare cost? 
• How will I address long term care needs/not burden my children?

And when you know the answers to these questions, you’ll have the answer to this question:  Will a market crash hurt my retirement?

The only way to answer these questions? Create a real retirement plan.   

Want answers now?  Contact me here to learn about Creating a Financial Plan for Your Retirement.

PS: If you know someone who isn’t quite up to speed on financial or retirement planning terms, you might send them to this post to get them started.  Or have them contact me here.