Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Burned more than once by the market
Old 04-28-2017, 11:44 PM   #1
Dryer sheet wannabe
TJFogelberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Burnsville MN
Posts: 19
Burned more than once by the market

I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks. This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?) We're planning to spend down. At 85 we can age in place and live comfortably on SS if we're still kickin. We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
TJFogelberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-29-2017, 12:22 AM   #2
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Fedup's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 4,032
Not true. Some of us are in a lot of cash.
Fedup is offline   Reply With Quote
you counting on social security?
Old 04-29-2017, 12:45 AM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: New York City
Posts: 2,838
you counting on social security?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks. This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?) We're planning to spend down. At 85 we can age in place and live comfortably on SS if we're still kickin. We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
i hope ur 65 now, any further out and ur taking a gamble.
Blue Collar Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 12:52 AM   #4
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Midpack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,148
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks. This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?) We're planning to spend down. At 85 we can age in place and live comfortably on SS if we're still kickin. We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
I don't think many here are "fully invested in stocks" and there is no "group think" WRT to asset allocation. http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ies-78584.html

There have been many threads about 'once you've won the (investing) game, why keep playing?' Many here have taken that idea into account for their investment plan.
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57

Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Midpack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 01:07 AM   #5
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Cottage Grove
Posts: 212
I've been 100% in equities for over 25 years and I do remember 2008. I never got burned because I didn't sell. My 401K is now worth 6 times more than what it was worth at the end of 2008. And, I don't have enough for a "safe return" rate. In 5 or 6 years, I hope I do have enough. But even then, I can't see me going below 80% equities.
Johanson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 01:14 AM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,787
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Collar Guy View Post
i hope ur 65 now, any further out and ur taking a gamble.
I realize that is the popular opinion about SS. However, having been in the "retirement planning business" in a prior career, I have been hearing the same thing since the early 1980's. It is a good thing not to base your whole retirement plan on SS, but it will most likely continue for the next generation, perhaps changing somewhat for those under 50.

Why? Because of the voting power of senior Boomers, congress will have a hard time getting the votes to change it.
brucethebroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 01:15 AM   #7
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,787
OP, there are a number of real estate investors out here. Just not always as vocal as the securities crowd.
brucethebroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 05:22 AM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Utrecht
Posts: 2,650
I am surprised at the surprise with the apparent groupthink

There is no such thing here .. have you not seen the landlord, SS timing, pension, CD, preferred, cash etc .. threads around here?

Also, don't confuse chatter about equities with a high allocation in equities. Mulligan as a prime example.
Totoro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 05:27 AM   #9
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,000
^ What he said.

Investments are all over the board on this board. My perception after reading posts here for quite a while is that "fully invested in stocks" is a minority investment choice.
__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 05:39 AM   #10
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,332
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks. This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?)
Well, for most here, the 'safe return rate' is predicated on investment in stocks. If you put all your money in CD's, there's this nasty little thing called inflation which will eat it all away well before you're 'dust in the wind'.

Yes, I remember '08...for me it was the biggest buying opportunity of my life and, by '11 it was "like it never even happened".
__________________
Living well is the best revenge!
Retired @ 52 in 2005
marko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 05:50 AM   #11
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
NW-Bound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
The market giveth, and the market taketh away. Then, it giveth again.

Greed, then fear, and greed again. One must resist the temptation to buy high and sell low.

__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)

"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
NW-Bound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 05:50 AM   #12
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Dash man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Limerick
Posts: 5,633
I realize there are many here diversified into real estate and other opportunities, but regarding equities there is a groupthink among many members. The asset allocation crowd unwilling to budge from their particular asset allocation had always puzzled me. Things do change in the financial world that I believe requires readjusting financial assets periodically, but I'm labeled a market timer by the AA folks. Personally, after a 35 plus years bond bull market with rates near zero, why would anyone have a large allocation in bonds? Bond funds are particularly risky if there is a sharp rise in rates. But the AA crowd sticks to their allocation when bonds have no where to go but down.
Stock equities I maintain in selected individual stocks rather than funds that will follow the wild swings in a turbulent market should significant events happen. I do keep a large sum in cash to live on for several years if there is a severe market downturn. I also have real estate, insured CDs and some physical gold and silver.
Worldwide sovereign, corporate and personal debt is skyrocketing and printing more and more dollars will eventually take its toll. All it will take is loss of faith in these fiat currencies to cause a worldwide financial crisis worse than 2008. None of the causes of the 2008 crisis has really been fixed. But I guess we'll see in time.
Dash man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 06:01 AM   #13
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,508
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks.
Are you saying that you think most people here are 100% in stock?
If so, you are wrong.

Quote:
This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?)
There's a saying that goes "If you have won the game, stop playing." If you have enough resources, you can choose to withdraw completely from the market and avoid market risk. There are other risks that you may not be able to avoid (such as inflation), depending on the size of your resources.

If you need to include the phrase "safe return rate", then perhaps you haven't actually "won" yet?

For you, what is that rate? What assumptions are behind that rate?

Quote:
We're planning to spend down. At 85 we can age in place and live comfortably on SS if we're still kickin. We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
Choosing to spend down is a plan. Hope isn't much of a plan.

What is your assumption regarding inflation?
joeea is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 06:36 AM   #14
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
donheff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 11,313
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
I am surprised at the group think on this board that seems to have most fully invested in stocks.
As others have pointed out AAs here are all over the place.
Quote:
This is my question...if one has enough resources to fund retirement using a 'safe return' rate, why gamble with the bulk of one's assets in the stock market? (Doesn't anyone else remember '08?)
If you have really won the game I say go for it if that makes you comfortable, but make sure you are really there.
Quote:
But, for me, We're planning to spend down. At 85 we can age in place and live comfortably on SS if we're still kickin.
OK, as long as a modestly reduced SS will allow this you are probably good.
Quote:
We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
Man plans, God laughs (or in this case man chooses not to plan, God still laughs). But, you do face a very real risk that you will be unable to care for yourselves (age in place) and thus must enter Medicaid nursing facilities. Isn't this at least as risky as the risk you assume for people who maintain a modest equity allocation hoping to preserve a buffer for just the risk you ignore?
__________________
Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre -- Albert Camus
donheff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 06:43 AM   #15
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Dawg52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Central MS/Orange Beach, AL
Posts: 9,067
Sometimes it does seem that way with some of the AA's I see, but there are a lot of people on the conservative side. Me being one. A higher than normal % of my portfolio is in CD's. I do own stocks, bonds, real estate and other to reach for a little more return. But all those items are below 50% of entire portfolio. So not everyone is in the 60% stocks or more camp.
__________________
Retired 3/31/2007@52
Investing style: Full time wuss.
Dawg52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 07:03 AM   #16
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
I'm on the conservative side, but I often think if I had been less conservative over the years, I'd now have a safe in my basement surrounded by a moat.
eytonxav is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 07:23 AM   #17
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
RockyMtn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: North Scottsdale
Posts: 1,545
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJFogelberg View Post
We're not planning on catastrophic LTC costs etc, hoping to be dust in the wind before that happens.
I have never subscribed to the theory that "hope" is a very well thought out strategy!
__________________
FIRE'D in July 2009 at 51...Never look back!
RockyMtn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 07:31 AM   #18
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 395
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johanson View Post
I've been 100% in equities for over 25 years and I do remember 2008. I never got burned because I didn't sell. My 401K is now worth 6 times more than what it was worth at the end of 2008. And, I don't have enough for a "safe return" rate. In 5 or 6 years, I hope I do have enough. But even then, I can't see me going below 80% equities.
This.

You only REALLY remember 2008 if you sold. Otherwise it was a blip.
clobber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 07:34 AM   #19
Dryer sheet wannabe
TJFogelberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Burnsville MN
Posts: 19
The recovery from DOW 5000 in 2008 happened because of QE, zero interest rates, and other artificial interventions. Savers have been crushed and often persuaded to invest in "higher yielding" securities and annuities that often pay 6-8% commission to the agent who talks them into it. I'm not against stocks, just disagree with conventional wisdom that one should be heavily invested. I'm using a fixed rate of return of 2% with inflation the same. We pay no income taxes upon full retirement. Everything is paid for. Our big purchases are behind us. Health is generally above average despite problems causing desire to retire early. We definitely won't be investing aggressively to try to fully fund LTC costs. (Few spend any length of time in a LTC facility). Currently 70% CD, zeroes, ST Vang bond. 30% index stock funds, a few ind securities, and high yield and longer duration bond funds. 2 low cost annuities. We have very low fixed costs now and in retirement. A significant portion of our budget is discretionary, which is a wonderful thing. If you have 3X the money you need to fund actual cash needs, I see no harm in ramping up risk and playing the market. (You're playing with money you will never touch anyway. )
TJFogelberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 07:42 AM   #20
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
audreyh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Posts: 37,931
Not 100% stock here either, but already retired I managed to survive both 2000-2002 and 2008-2009 with >50% in equities. Our net worth is much higher now. Ready for that next crash? Maybe. So far there have been recoveries from crashes, even if slow. We have lots of non-equity assets to see us through a long period.

I think you are incorrect to think retired folks here are "heavily" invested in equities. Moderately invested would be more apropos, and many are quite conservatively invested.
__________________
Retired since summer 1999.
audreyh1 is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Movies... watch more than once? imoldernu Other topics 30 11-08-2012 08:21 AM
Please Tell Me About Efficient Markets Once More haha FIRE and Money 9 07-01-2010 11:36 AM
Once More, With Feeling brewer12345 Active Investing, Market Strategies & Alternative Assets 20 10-03-2007 06:05 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:24 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.