How To Invest for Retirement

It is critical to invest for retirement. Retirement savings aim to give you enough money to live on retirement income once your primary income is gone. By setting retirement goals and having a savings plan, you'll have a big enough nest egg to retire comfortably. Rather than making risky investments, it is best to make safe investment decisions to yield a return that exceeds inflation.

There are several options for retirement investing. Learn more about Types of Retirement Plans, and Personal Retirement Accounts and Your Family.

Before Investing, Pay Off Debt

It is unwise to invest for retirement before paying off high-interest debt. Pay off the debt with the highest interest first. Each month you keep a balance on your credit card, you add to that balance. Getting your finances in order is essential before considering saving for retirement. See Managing Personal Finances for more tips.

Save Money for Retirement

Saving cash is a safe way to accumulate money for retirement. Options for cash accounts include:

• Savings accounts. Financial institutions pay interest on money in the savings account.
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs). CDs earn interest for a fixed term in an account insured by the FDIC.
• Money market funds. Money funds invest in short-term and low-risk securities. This includes treasury bills, CDs, and commercial paper.

How To Invest for Retirement: Your Options

When considering investment options for retirement, make sure to understand each investment's risk tolerance and returns. While financial advisers may offer investing tips, investing in products you know is best. Before investing in a product, consider:

1. Is the product safe?
2. Will the investment grow faster than inflation?
3. Will taxes and fees apply to the investment?

Every investment has advantages and disadvantages. Here are some investment choices:

• Stocks. A stock represents a proportional ownership share in a corporation. The profitability of a stock relies on the increase of the stock's price in the stock market. Profit typically coincides with the growth and performance of the company. So, a stock investment risks loss if the company fails. Corporate profits, though, tend to rise faster than inflation.
• Mutual funds. Professional managers of mutual funds pool money from shareholders to invest in various assets. These assets include stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. Shares owned by investors represent their ownership or equity position in the fund. Shareholders are free to sell their shares at any time, but the price of a share changes daily. Mutual funds offer the benefit of diversification and the ease of converting the shares into cash, also known as liquidity. Mutual funds are subject to management fees.
• Bonds. A bond is a type of debt security. The issuer of the bond, typically the federal government, state and city governments, or a corporation, raises money through borrowing. A bond promises to pay the principal (the amount borrowed) plus interest by a specific date. Unlike stocks and mutual funds, the bondholder receives no equity interest. Bonds are generally safer than stocks because debt holders get priority over stockholders in bankruptcy. Bonds from the U.S. government are "risk-free" because they produce predictable returns. Bond interest rates are typically higher than what banks pay on savings accounts. Consider a bond fund if you're interested in investing in bonds but want more diversity. A bond fund pools money from many investors to invest in various bonds.
• Annuities. Annuities are like financial plans that provide a regular income for a set period or throughout one's life. You pay money upfront, and in return, you get regular payments. People often like annuities because they offer a stable income, which can be reassuring, especially in retirement. You can customize them based on how long you want the payments and other preferences. Some annuities also have tax benefits. But, it's crucial to understand the terms and fees before investing in one to ensure it fits your financial goals.
• Index Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Index funds are a type of investment that tries to copy the performance of a specific market index, like the S&P 500. Instead of trying to choose individual stocks, index funds give investors a diverse portfolio that reflects the market. In contrast, ETFs trade on the stock exchange like individual stocks. Like index funds, ETFs offer investors a diversified portfolio that reflects the market, helping to lower risk by including various stocks. The advantage of ETFs is that you can buy and sell them throughout trading, providing investors with flexibility and liquidity.

Diversify Your Investments

Diversifying investments will help reduce risk. Various investments within an investment portfolio are used to manage risk. When investing, consider the following:

• Take into account the risk and the return.
• Consider the costs of the investment product.
• Diversify by investing in stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and money market funds.

Should You Use a Financial Adviser?

Before deciding whether to hire a financial advisor to manage your retirement investments, consider how financial advisors earn compensation:

• Commissions. Commissioned financial advisers get compensation every time an investor buys or sells an investment. Sometimes, the adviser will get extra compensation when an investor buys a particular product.
• Management fees. Some financial advisors charge a fee based on the size of the investor's portfolio.

Knowing how an adviser's compensation structure aligns with your investment strategy is essential. This can impact their recommendations. Also, consider how the adviser handles asset allocation and inquire about the types of investment accounts they recommend to ensure they align with your financial goals. Conflicts of interest often exist because financial advisors get compensation through commissions and management fees. Because they may have bias, be cautious when acting on the advice of a financial advisor.

Choosing a Financial Adviser

If you decide to use a financial advisor to invest for retirement, determine whether the advisor has a proven record of success, can provide references, and has the appropriate credentials. Verify credentials by checking for membership in a professional trade organization, determine whether the adviser is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or a Certified Public Accountant-Personal Finance Specialist (CPA-PFS), and request a copy of Part I and Part II of the Federal Securities Disclosure Form ADV (this document provides information about any legal and financial problems of the adviser). Find the right financial advisor for you.

Retirement Plans

Retirement plans offer an excellent way to create another source of income for retirement. Like other investments, diversify to balance some of the advantages and disadvantages of each retirement plan. Two types of plans are beneficial:

• Tax-deferred plans. Invest for retirement in a tax-deferred plan like a 401(k), 403(b), SEP-IRA, or a traditional IRA. The income earned in the retirement plan is tax-free until withdrawn. Once you withdraw, the government taxes it as ordinary income. You can deduct your contributions to these plans from your taxable income, giving you a tax advantage. Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA are after-tax options, with contributions not eligible for a tax deduction. But, withdrawals during retirement are tax-free, offering a unique advantage. Participating in an employer-sponsored plan can provide more benefits, such as employer-matching contributions, enhancing the advantages of tax-deferred plans.
• Non-tax-deferred plans. In a non-tax deferred plan like a Roth IRA, contributions are ineligible for a tax deduction, but withdrawals during retirement are tax-free. Roth IRAs are individual retirement accounts (IRAs) that provide a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement.

Consider speaking with a brokerage firm or financial advisor if you have more questions or concerns about how to invest for retirement. If you have a legal issue related to retirement savings, contact a consumer protection attorney.