Retirement savers can position for a ‘comeback’ after 2022 losses, says advisor. Here’s how (2024)

FAQs

Should I worry about my 401k losing money right now? ›

Don't Panic

Investing for retirement is a long-term venture, and while the financial markets can experience significant volatility in the short term, they tend to rise in value over the long term. Even if you're nearing retirement age, rash decisions can make it more difficult for your portfolio to recover.

Description: The 4% rule suggests that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their retirement portfolio balance each year without depleting their savings over a 30-year period. Rationale: This rule is based on historical market performance and assumes a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds.

This money will need to last around 40 years to comfortably ensure that you won't outlive your savings. This means you can probably boost your total withdrawals (principal and yield) to around $20,000 per year. This will give you a pre-tax income of almost $36,000 per year.

Around the U.S., a $1 million nest egg can cover an average of 18.9 years worth of living expenses, GoBankingRates found. But where you retire can have a profound impact on how far your money goes, ranging from as a little as 10 years in Hawaii to more than than 20 years in more than a dozen states.

The worst thing you can do to your 401(k) is to cash out if the market crashes. Market downturns are generally short and minimal compared to the rebounds that follow. As long as you hold on to your investments during a bear market, you haven't lost anything.

At least a portion of your 401(k) is likely exposed to the stock market, which is what helps it to grow over time. However, like with all investments, if the stock market dips—you could instead see declines in value from time to time, which may lower your 401(k) balance at certain points along your savings journey.

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.

Specifically, those with over $1 million in retirement accounts are in the top 3% of retirees. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 3.2% of retirees have over $1 million, and a mere 0.1% have $5 million or more, based on data from the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.

Many retirees fall far short of that amount, but their savings may be supplemented with other forms of income. According to data from the BLS, average 2022 incomes after taxes were as follows for older households: 65-74 years: $63,187 per year or $5,266 per month. 75 and older: $47,928 per year or $3,994 per month.

One example is the $1,000/month rule. Created by Wes Moss, a Certified Financial Planner, this strategy helps individuals visualize how much savings they should have in retirement. According to Moss, you should plan to have $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of disposable income in retirement.

Can I retire at 62 with $400,000 in my 401k? ›

Retiring at 62 on $400,000

This plan can work … sort of. At age 62, with $400,000 in a 401(k) account, you can generate a livable income depending on how you structure your portfolio and where you choose to live. Livable does not mean comfortable, however.

Yes, $800k provides a healthy nest egg that allows for annual withdrawals of around $60,000 or below, spanning 20 years.

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

The average retirement savings for all families is $333,940, according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. The median retirement savings for all families is $87,000. Taken on their own, those numbers aren't incredibly helpful. After all, not everyone who is the same age will retire at the same time.

Living off interest involves relying on what's known as passive income. This implies that your assets generate enough returns to cover your monthly income needs without the need for additional work or income sources. The ideal scenario is to use the interest and returns while preserving the core principal.

If your 401(k) is losing money, it's important to understand why, as well as consider how long you have until you plan to retire. If you're years and years away from retirement, you likely have time to regain that money in your 401(k)—remember, it's a long-term investing strategy.

“Don't let a recession deter you from adding money into your 401(k). Don't let yourself make an emotional decision due to a recession or bear market.” Taking money out of the market during times of volatility can have the opposite effect of what you might be trying to accomplish in the long run.

Portfolio diversification should be a priority for every retirement saver. This concept basically relates to spreading your 401(k) contributions across several different categories of investments. This is done to limit risk and 401(k) losses.

Contributing enough to get your full employer 401(k) match should always be your first priority. That's free money! Beyond the match, deciding how much to contribute can be tricky. If you're in a high tax bracket, maxing out the $23,000 annual IRS limit ($30,500 if over 50) is often smart to get tax savings.