Retirement Investing

September 20, 2021

Retiring means you have withdrawn from your active working life, according to https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retirement; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you no longer have a source of income. There are various ways to receive income without a job – one of those ways is through investments. If you’re searching for continuous growth, you may want to consider investing in strategies that will contribute to your long-term goals. At RITA, we want you to be as prepared as possible for the future and any bumps along the way. Take a look at these five different investment strategies and see which ones fit into your current plans.

Pay Off Your Mortgage

When deciding whether or not you want to pay off your mortgage, you want to avoid looking at your historical rate of return. Comparing this to the interest rate on your mortgage is misleading and harmful. Instead, you can compare the current yield on fixed-income investments in your portfolio vs. your mortgage interest rate. This way, you can see if it best suits you to pay off your mortgage using your fixed-income investments.

High-Yield Savings Accounts

Even though they are not direct investments, savings accounts often yield a return on your money. Depending on the rates, you can get a higher yield option which you can locate without much hassle through an online search. A savings account is a relatively secure way to ensure you’ll never lose any money. All the money that goes into the account will remain until you choose to withdraw; on the off chance the bank fails, the government will insure up to $250,000 per account type.

Downsizing

The idea of downsizing may be hard to grasp for people who have large families and large houses. However, although it takes a good deal of adjustment, downsizing is worth it in the long run when you start to consider how much your living expenses are. If you have limited retirement income, consider relocating to a home that’s more modest and will cost less to maintain. Also, keep in mind that you’ll be paying less in property taxes. The initial move may be costly, but it will drastically reduce your living expenses for many years to come.

Money Market Funds

Money market funds consist of short-term bonds and low-risk investments usually sold by brokerage firms and mutual fund companies. Unlike most investments, money market funds allow you to take out your funds at any time without being penalized, which is helpful in case of any emergency or last-minute plans.

Corporate Bonds

Some companies issue bonds: however, make sure to pay attention to the risks involved. Large profitable companies usually issue relatively low-risk bonds. However, watch out for high-yield corporate bonds. Just because they have low rates does not mean that they are the best choice. Most of them have a default risk and an interest rate that constantly fluctuates, making it difficult to manage your money. With a default risk, you’re at the mercy of the company that may or may not fail to meet its promises. You can reduce risk by investing in longer-term bonds as they are more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Annuities

There are different viewpoints when it comes to annuities. In this case, immediate annuities are the main focus of your investment options. They provide a direct route of lifetime retirement income, whereas deferred annuities are often sold as investments. The prime time to invest in annuities is when the interest rate is low, allowing you to spend your principal safely before interest rates rise. In addition, annuities are usually backed up by long-term bonds with reliable returns.

Saving for retirement doesn’t have to be difficult, and it doesn’t have to be limited. Your wise choices of investing can lead to more significant savings and preparation for the future. There are numerous paths you can take in addition to the ones we listed. Don’t see investment options as “more money to worry about” or put aside, but rather more money than you’ll be receiving in return. Investing is one of the most uncomplicated, most passive actions you can take. The hardest part is doing the research beforehand and choosing the best plan for yourself. For any additional questions or advice, you may need for your retirement, schedule an appointment with us. When you work with us, you can trust that you’re in experienced hands.