Blog Layout

When you don't know how risky your investments are

Darryl Rosen • Aug 30, 2022

Bob and Mary's Investments Were Almost Speculative - And They Didn't Know It


I met Bob and Mary the other day. They are 65 and have been retired for 5 years.

They told me that they don’t want to lose money if the market goes down. So I took a look.

Turns out that 8 of their 15 mutual funds had lost over 40% in a single year in the past. You know we can look that sort of thing up!

The analysis also uncovered that if the market dropped by 40% their account would have lost over 45%. 

They thought they had a “moderate risk” portfolio when in reality they had an aggressive portfolio bordering on speculation. 

You know Wall street is like a casino!  

In this case, I was able to move their money to less volatile holdings. They have less risk now but I don’t believe that they will sacrifice returns.  

Ask your advisor to do a risk assessment. Everything you own has a specific risk characteristic and it’s very easy to calculate a number to determine how the portfolio will behave in good times and bad.

Have they made a good move? I think so but you know I can’t see the future.

I can tell you they are probably sleeping a bit better!

You might also like

By Darryl Rosen 19 Mar, 2024
When your spouse dies. 63% of the time when a spouse dies, it’s the man. According to the NIH, when this happens, on average the widow (or the wife) lives another 12 years. 3 things happen in short order when someone dies. Income decreases by as much as 50% with the possible loss of social security and pension. Taxes increase the following year because single tax rates are more punishing than married rates. If the deceased had an IRA or 401K, the widow still has to take Required min distributions but now at higher tax rates. Expenses go down but not by as much as you think. Only 20% on average per the Government Accountability Office. Think about it this way. Variable costs like medical and food, etc. will decrease but what about fixed expenses. My FIL passed in December. Jill’s Mom still has the house to contend with. All of this is to say please build these types of scenarios into your plans. If you have questions, feel free schedule some time to speak with me.
By Darryl Rosen 07 Mar, 2024
Are you looking for a reliable source of income in retirement? Annuities may be the answer! Watch this video to learn how annuities can provide guaranteed income and simplify your retirement plan. Say goodbye to financial worry and hello to a comfortable retirement!
By Darryl Rosen 02 Mar, 2024
Are past financial slip-ups haunting your investment decisions? You're not alone. In this insightful video, @erinkennedytv and Darryl delve into expert advice on navigating investment and financial choices after making mistakes. From acknowledging past blunders to crafting a brighter financial future, discover actionable strategies to thrive in your retirement journey.
More Posts

Contact us

Share by: