How should my strategy change as I get older?
- When should I start saving for retirement?
- Where should I save my retirement money?
- How should I invest the money?
- How should my strategy change as I get older?
- How much money will I need in retirement?
- Will pensions and Social Security be enough?
- How much should I save?
- What if I can't save enough?
- How can I reduce the amount I'll need?
- What if I'm running out of time?
- I'm saving a lot but will still fall short - what now?
- When can I retire?
As you approach retirement age, most experts agree you should gradually shift more into bonds to protect the money you've accumulated. But retirement can last a few decades, so it generally pays to maintain a healthy dose of stocks well into retirement: possibly between 40% and 50% while you're in your 70s, and up to 30% when you're in your 80s.
If you want to put your asset allocation on autopilot, consider "target-date retirement funds," which are available in many retirement plans. You simply choose a fund that's labeled with the year you intend to retire, and it will automatically adjust what it invests in (usually a mix of stocks, bonds and cash) to maximize your return and minimize your risk as you get older.
For an idea of what the right mix of stocks and bonds is for you, go to our asset allocation calculator.
