Article

Inflation: The Nemesis of Every Retiree

Inflation: The Nemesis of Every Retiree

Even though the rising costs of goods and services can erode the purchasing power of your retirement savings, with proactive planning and smart strategies, its impact can be mitigated. There are several areas of your finances that can possibly be adjusted. It’s important to remember that what may work for someone else may not work for you. Personalized advice from a financial advisor can help you see options in your unique circumstances.

June 3, 2024
Inflation: The Nemesis of Every Retiree
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

As a retiree, one of the significant financial challenges you may encounter is inflation. The rising costs of goods and services can erode the purchasing power of your retirement savings, making it difficult to maintain your desired lifestyle. However, it's not all doom and gloom. There are ways to safeguard your finances and make your retirement more inflation-resistant.

Adjusting Your Spending Habits

The first step to beat inflation is adjusting your spending habits. This strategy doesn't necessarily mean cutting back on your lifestyle but finding smart ways to get more value for your money.

Here are some tips:

  • Prioritize Needs Over Wants: Focus on spending money on necessities rather than luxuries. This doesn't mean you can't indulge occasionally, but try to distinguish between what you need and what you want.
  • Seek Discounts and Bargains: Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bargains, especially for big-ticket items. Make use of senior discounts whenever possible.
  • Minimize Waste: Be mindful of waste, particularly in areas such as food, energy, and water. Small savings can add up over time.

Inflation-Protected Securities

Inflation-protected securities, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) in the U.S., can provide a hedge against inflation. These securities increase in value with inflation, helping to protect the purchasing power of your investment. However, like all investments, they carry risks and should be considered as part of a diversified portfolio. It's best to consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Diversifying Your Investment Portfolio

A well-diversified investment portfolio can help buffer the impacts of inflation. Consider investing in assets that historically have shown resilience during inflationary periods. This can include equities, real estate, and commodities. Dividend-paying stocks can also be particularly valuable as many companies increase dividends over time, potentially offsetting the impact of inflation.

Again, seeking advice from a financial advisor is always recommended before making any investment decisions.

Increasing Your Income

If possible, consider ways to increase your income. This can be through part-time work, consulting, freelancing, or even turning a hobby into a business. For those who are able, working a few extra years before retiring can provide additional savings and delay drawing down retirement assets, providing more time for those assets to grow.

Plan in Advance

While inflation can be a significant concern for retirees, with proactive planning and smart strategies, its impact can be mitigated. But it's important to remember that everyone's situation is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, personalized advice from a financial advisor is crucial in making the best decisions for your unique circumstances.

Other content you may like

  • Podcast Highlight - Client Questions: With higher rates should I cash out?

    March 21, 2024
    The Strong Valley Team talks about the temptation to cash out and play it safe with money markets or CDs with rates at 5%.  It sounds like free or easy money but is that the whole story? They look at several scenarios and explain what needs to be considered in order to keep your investments working for you.
    Read this Article
  • Podcast Highlight 1 - Market Recap

    Podcast Highlight 1 - Market Recap

    June 3, 2024
    The Strong Valley advisor team gets a quick recap of 2024’s 1st Quarter - Mid-February to Mid-May.
    Read this Article
  • How will the 2020 elections shape the financial market?

    August 13, 2020
    This special report looks at the historical market returns in the context of presidential elections, which parties are in control of Congress, and various government election outcomes. While nobody can predict the future, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes, this report gives some insights as to what the financial landscape might look like after the 2020 elections.
    Read this Article
  • Are You Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?

    October 20, 2020
    If you’re a senior you only have a short time, October 15 to December 7, to make sure you have the right Medicare plan. It’s called open enrollment. This article gives you 9 questions to ask yourself that will help you make the best choice for your healthcare, including information on choosing an advisor, in necessary. Be sure to make the most of your short opportunity to find a better plan.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset