Article

Help Restore Your Confidence in Retirement

Restore Your Confidence in Retirement

Some use the term "nest egg" when talking about a retirement plan but the obvious metaphor of an egg reminds us of the fragility of planning for an uncertain future. An annuity might help with retirement confidence. It’s an actuarial-designed product with distribution amounts, in large part, calculated based on your age and life expectancy. The older you are, the more you get paid. Here are some examples of how annuities work.

June 28, 2022
Restore Your Confidence in Retirement
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.

Sometimes we forget just how fragile a nest egg can be.

When the economy tanked in 2008, retirees watched in horror as U.S. markets suffered historic losses. The Dow declined by more than 50%, its biggest drop since the Great Depression of 1929.

The oldest Baby Boomers, who were closing in on retirement age just as things were at their worst, watched as their nest eggs cracked wide open and lost thousands of dollars – in some cases hundreds of thousands.

Most were left with two choices: Either keep working past the age they'd planned to retire (Boomers started turning 65 in 2011) or retire with a lifestyle that was substantially downsized from what they once had envisioned.

Under both scenarios, they could struggle to piece back together the plans they once had. But we all know how that goes. Time was not on their side.

Post-Retirement Strategy

Pre-retirement is one of the worst times to experience significant market loss, because there is often little time left for recovery. You need that nest egg you accumulated to generate income when the paychecks stop. If it shrinks, so will the amount of income you'll get.

That's why financial professionals talk so much about volatility and why you should start pulling back from risk as you get older. The markets will always move up and down. And given today's uncertainty -- both domestic and worldwide -- some loss seems almost unavoidable.

But there are distribution strategies that can help give you an edge in overcoming a loss.

For the average retiree, one way to help distribute retirement income is not by putting hope in the market, but by using an actuarial-designed product, such as an annuity. With an annuity, distribution amounts are, in large part, calculated based on your age and life expectancy; the older you are, the more you get paid.

Here’s an Example

Let's say you know a 70-year-old man who had a portfolio worth $500,000. He expected to generate about 3% in retirement income – about $15,000 per year.

But then he suffered through a serious market downturn, and his $500,000 portfolio was reduced to $300,000. At that 3% withdrawal rate, his annual income would decline drastically. In order to replicate the $15,000 per year he planned to pull from his portfolio, he would need to invest aggressively – meaning more risk and a greater chance of losing even more money.

Now, instead, let's say your friend purchased an immediate annuity with an A+ rated carrier. With a deposit of $209,375, he could generate the $15,000 per year in lifetime income he'd originally planned on. His purchase would be converted into regular payments that would last as long he lives. His annuity would guarantee him a 7.2% return, which could help reduce his fear of running out of money in retirement.*

Using an annuity to distribute income is a way to overcome market losses -- or to avoid them altogether. And it can offer you the confidence that you will be able to enjoy your well-earned retirement through protection of the principal and regular income streams.

It is important to remember annuities do have surrender charges, making them a non-liquid asset. Additionally, annuities do have fees and can limit your ability to participate in market gains, even with products such as fixed index annuities. However, some retirees enjoy the comfort of the steady income and the protection benefits offered by annuities.

Most traditional immediate annuities are pretty straightforward once you've made the purchase. But you'll definitely want to work with a financial professional to lock down what's an appropriate product for you, and to review any changes to your goals or financial situation as you age.

Important Disclaimers

*Annuity guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

These are hypothetical examples provided for illustrative purposes only; it does not represent a real-life scenario, and should not be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation.

It's important for you to talk to your financial advisor to discuss your specific circumstances and goals.

Other content you may like

  • Career Advancement vs Job Security

    April 6, 2024
    Changing jobs can be a difficult decision, but it can also be a great opportunity for growth and advancement in your career. However, when companies do layoffs, it can be a stressful and uncertain time for employees. Here are some ideas to think about when balancing the Pros and Cons of changing jobs.
    Read this Article
  • Inflation: The Nemesis of Every Retiree

    Inflation: The Nemesis of Every Retiree

    June 3, 2024
    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. Included are ideas for several areas of your finances that can possibly be adjusted.
    Read this Article
  • Five Questions to Ask as You Consider Retiring

    Five Questions to Ask as You Consider Retiring

    June 9, 2023
    Normal retirement age used to be 65, but things are different today. So how do you know when you’re mentally and financially ready for it? There are many things to consider before making this great change in your life. Here are five questions to help you examine your own unique circumstances to find out how, when and if you should retire.
    Read this Article
  • Senior woman alone on a bench

    12 Reasons You Could Go Broke in Retirement

    August 26, 2020
    Retirement is a major milestone that brings many life changes. One thing that doesn't change for most people: the fear of running out of money. According to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, the most frequently reported retirement worry is outliving savings and investments. Across all ages, 51% of respondents cited this concern, and 41% of retirees claim the same fear. Additionally, only 46% of retirees think they've built a nest egg large enough to last through retirement.
    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