Investing in your 40s and 50s
Investing often takes on a greater importance for people in their 40s and 50s. Not only are they getting closer to retirement, but it's a time of life when people start to think more about planning for their family's future, as well as their own.
Most people in their 40s and 50s are earning more money than they did when they were younger, which means they can contribute larger sums to their RRSP, TFSA or other investment accounts. While this money won't have as much time to grow as funds invested in their 20s and 30s, investors can still build a solid nest egg based on the benefits of consistent contributions and compound growth.
A good strategy for people in their 40s and 50s is to start to envision what the rest of their life might look like. For many, it will be retiring in 10, 20 or more years. For others it may be working part time or even starting a new business. Regardless of what they plan to do down the road, investors need to figure out their desired lifestyle and ensure they're setting aside enough money to fund those future goals.
Here are some investing considerations for people in their 40s and 50s:
Cut back on risk (maybe): Many investors are encouraged to reduce their exposure to stocks as they get older, to avoid risking money they could need sooner, rather than later. While this is still the case, the advice is often tweaked for some investors in today's low interest rate environment. Rising life expectancies are also inspiring some investors to keep or even increase their exposure to equities, even as they get closer to the traditional retirement age. The right investment mix always depends on an investor's individual risk tolerance, so do a gut check: How will you sleep at night if the markets experience a major correction in the near term? Will it impact your quality of life in the short-to-medium term?
Rebalance your portfolio: Regardless of your level of risk, it's a good idea to rebalance your portfolio at least once a year to ensure that you're sticking with your target. This applies whether that target is 60 per cent equities and 40 per cent bonds and other less risky investments, or 85 per cent equities and 15 per cent bonds. Portfolio rebalancing helps investors maintain their target asset allocation and reduces their exposure to risk outside of their comfort zone.
Play catch up: You may be able to make up for lost time in your 40s and 50s if your income is higher. There's a rule of thumb that for every decade you age before you start saving, the percentage of your income you should put toward retirement increases by another 10 per cent. If you start in your 40s, for example, you should save at least 30 per cent, versus 10 per cent in your 20s and 20 per cent in your 30s. Now's the time to catch up to ensure you meet your retirement goals.