Two-thirds of financial advisors are changing their retirement investment advice for clients due to a volatile market and economic uncertainty. https://t.co/bwQbE2Uctj ...

alvaro gonzalez / Getty Images One advisor said clients are looking for tax efficiencies, such as income-producing, tax-deferred accounts. Key Takeaways Two-thirds of financial advisors are changing their retirement investment advice for clients due to a volatile market and economic uncertainty, according to a new report from Alliance for Lifetime Income. Financial advisors are changing their recommendations based on inflation, Social Security and Medicare uncertainty, and cost-of-living concerns. Ad ...

Investment Trends - Almost 10% of Americans consider buying and reselling luxury handbags as a viable retirement investment [1] - The report compares this investment strategy to investing in a broad S&P 500 index fund [1]

Many retirees still see crypto as a young person’s game, but they’re increasingly wondering whether carefully chosen platforms could safely open the door. Gallup surveys show that about one in four American adults owns some form of cryptocurrency, yet adoption among people over 50 significantly lags younger investors. That gap suggests older Americans are less afraid of crypto itself and more wary of confusing exchanges, opaque fees and headline-grabbing hacks.​ Explore More: This ‘Boring’ Investment Coul ...

Core Insights - State Street is pivoting towards mutual funds while maintaining its strong presence in the ETF market, indicating a dual strategy to address diverse investor needs [1][2][6] - The retirement industry, which holds approximately $4 trillion in assets, is currently fragmented, limiting access to efficient investment strategies [5][12] - The SEC's potential approval of different share classes for mutual funds could enable State Street to create mutual fund share classes of its ETFs, providing a cost-effective solution for pension plans [6][10] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The retirement industry is not fully benefiting from ETF innovations due to structural issues, such as regulations that prevent certain retirement plans from investing in ETFs [3][4] - There is a significant demand for mutual fund products that can mimic the innovative strategies of ETFs, particularly among retirement investors [7][16] - The fragmentation in investment options leads to inefficiencies, as different legal structures complicate access to index strategies for pension plans [5][12] Group 2: Strategic Development - State Street aims to leverage its $1.7 trillion in ETF assets to offer cost-effective mutual fund products that combine the benefits of both mutual funds and ETFs [10][12] - The company has conducted extensive market research to understand investor demand and is focused on solving specific problems related to fees, content, and access [9][10] - The potential for mutual fund-type share structures to be adopted by other ETF managers indicates a broader trend in the industry towards meeting retirement investor demand [14][15]

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Core Insights - Older adults are increasingly considering index funds and ETFs as they approach retirement, moving away from traditional mutual funds [1][2] Group 1: Benefits of Index Funds and ETFs - Index funds and ETFs facilitate cash flow extraction for retirees, allowing more income distributions to reach them due to lower fees [1] - For total-return-oriented retirees, index funds and ETFs simplify the process of rebalancing portfolios to meet living expenses while maintaining target asset allocation [2] - Index funds and ETFs require minimal oversight, making them suitable for retirees who prefer not to monitor their investments closely [2] - Controlling portfolio risk is easier with index funds and ETFs, as adjusting the stock/bond mix is more effective than changing underlying holdings [3] - Index funds and ETFs are highly tax-efficient, which is crucial for retirees with larger portfolios and higher taxable account shares [4] Group 2: Cost Considerations - A portfolio with lower returns benefits from low-cost investment products like index funds and ETFs, which help maximize net returns for retirees [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial anxieties faced by retirees, particularly focusing on the case of Robin, who, despite having a $700,000 nest egg, frequently checks her retirement account due to market fluctuations and concerns about running out of money [5][21][26]. Group 1: Financial Advisory Services - Vanguard offers a hybrid advisory system that combines professional advice with automated portfolio management to help clients achieve their financial goals [1][6]. - Working with a financial advisor can assist retirees in establishing a safe withdrawal plan and understanding diversification strategies based on their age and lifestyle [2][12]. - Advisors can help calculate sustainable withdrawal rates tailored to individual savings, investment mixes, and lifestyle needs [3][21]. Group 2: Retirement Savings and Concerns - A significant portion of Americans aged 50 and over lack retirement savings, with a recent AARP survey indicating that 20% have no savings [4]. - Many retirees, including Robin, experience anxiety about their financial security, with 64% of respondents in an Allianz survey expressing concern about running out of money during retirement [4][21]. - The lack of a regular paycheck in retirement can create feelings of vulnerability, even for those with substantial savings [26][27]. Group 3: Investment Strategies - Diversifying investments outside the stock market is recommended to hedge against market dips, with options like real estate crowdfunding and gold IRAs being suggested [7][10][9]. - A balanced investment strategy that aligns with an individual's comfort level can reduce anxiety about market fluctuations [15][21]. - Utilizing tools like Acorns for automated investing and Monarch Money for budgeting can help retirees manage their finances more effectively [13][16]. Group 4: Income Streams and Withdrawal Plans - Relying on guaranteed income sources, such as Social Security, can alleviate financial pressure for retirees [18][23]. - Understanding the trade-offs of claiming Social Security benefits at different ages can significantly impact financial security [19][24]. - Building a foundation of predictable income through annuities or other products can help retirees feel more secure about their financial future [20][25].

Core Investment Insights - ETFs are highlighted as powerful investments for retirement accounts, offering broad-market, thematic, or asset-specific exposure at low costs, which helps maximize long-term returns and minimize risk [1] - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) and the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) are identified as core components of a retirement strategy, with plans to increase holdings in both [2] Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) - The ETF aims to track the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on 100 top dividend-paying stocks selected for their sustainable and steadily rising dividends [3] - Current holdings yield approximately 3.8%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.2%, with an average annual dividend growth rate exceeding 8% over the past five years [4] - Since its inception in 2011, SCHD has delivered an average annual total return of 11.6% with a low expense ratio of 0.06% [7] JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) - JEPQ aims to provide a monthly income stream and upside exposure to the Nasdaq-100 index while maintaining lower volatility through a dual strategy [8] - The ETF has generated an income yield of over 11% in the past 12 months, significantly higher than other asset classes, with monthly payments that help mitigate volatility [9] - Since its inception in 2022, JEPQ has achieved an average annual total return of 16.2% with a reasonable expense ratio of 0.35% [10] Complementary Investment Strategy - Both SCHD and JEPQ are considered strong choices for retirement accounts, with SCHD focusing on dividend yield and growth, while JEPQ emphasizes high monthly income and exposure to growth-oriented tech stocks [12] - The combination of income and growth with lower risk profiles aligns with a strategy aimed at generating attractive returns with reduced volatility [12]

Core Insights - Investments in the stock market are essential for retirement portfolio growth, with a focus on proper diversification [1] - The S&P 500 index is highlighted as a viable investment option for individuals lacking advanced market knowledge [2] Investment Strategy - The S&P 500 tracks around 500 of the largest companies across various sectors, providing automatic diversification [3] - Historically, the S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of 10%, making it a recommended choice by notable investors like Warren Buffett [3] Financial Projections - If Charlie invests 10% of his salary for 32 years, with a 10% return and full employer match, he could accumulate approximately $2,601,339.23 for retirement [4] - This projected amount exceeds the retirement savings estimates for Millennials and current retirees, who anticipate needing $1 million and $1.46 million, respectively [4] Retirement Income - By withdrawing 4% annually from his retirement savings, Charlie could generate an income of $104,054 in his first year of retirement, adjusted for inflation [5]