5 Key Risks to Retirement Income
If you are nearing retirement or already there, you face a critical challenge: you have to rely on your pensions and savings to provide income. But you can’t know for sure how long you will need those assets to last. If they are not wisely invested or you spend too freely, you may outlive your savings. There are five key risks to your retirement income. Knowing how to manage them will help you achieve financial security for the rest of your life.
1. Longevity
In Canada, both men and women are living longer than ever before. Yet many people underestimate how long retirement could last. A 65 year old male has 50% chance of living to age 83, and a 25% chance of reaching 89. A female now aged 65 has 50% chance of living to age 86 and a 25% chance of living to 92. Will your money outlast your lifetime?
What can you do? When setting up your retirement income plan, allow for the fact that your savings must last for 20, 30 or even 40 years.
2. Inflation
Don’t let recent low rates fool you – planning for inflation is still a necessity. Let’s say you start with retirement income of about $46,000. Even an inflation rate of 2% will steadily nibble away at it. After 25 years it would be worth approximately $28,000, a decline in purchasing power of 39%.
What can you do? Include investments with the potential to outpace inflation in your portfolio and investment plan.
3. Choosing the wrong asset mix
Many retirees rely on a “safe” portfolio that’s heavy with fixed-income investments such as bonds and GICs. But these may not grow enough to keep up with inflation and maintain your income level over the long term.
What can you do? Build a moderate portfolio that balances equities for growth potential with bonds, GICs and money market investments for steady income.
4. Excess withdrawal
During your retirement, there are several variables that can affect how much you can withdraw from your portfolio each year, while ensuring it will last as long as you need it. These include your risk tolerance, retirement horizon, pension income, economic climate, health, and employment if you choose to work in retirement. In addition, these variables can change over time. To better adapt to these possible changes, your withdrawal rates should be reviewed annually with your financial advisor to ensure you’re minimizing the risk of using too much of your savings too early.
What can you do? Annually review your portfolio performance and the market trends with your financial advisor to adjust your withdrawal rates accordingly. Manage your withdrawal rates carefully in your early retirement years. If your portfolio does well, you can withdraw more later on, when there is less risk that you will run out of money.
5. Health care expenses
While Canada’s health system provides good basic care, it does not include many items or services you may need or want in your older years. The government covers many key items only partially or not at all, including long-term care, nursing care at home, private or semi-private hospital rooms, or home renovations to deal with a disability
What can you do? Include the possibility of future health care expenses in your retirement plan. Put away extra savings and/or buy insurance to give yourself more choice in the future, as well as peace of mind. Keep these five things in mind as you plan for your retirement income; any one of these can shatter your financial picture. I can help you invest wisely and plan for income that will last throughout your retirement.
