Retirement planning can begin at any time, but most people begin seriously considering retirement in their 30’s. For many of us, life gets in the way of the best laid plans and retirement planning doesn’t always go as intended. No matter when you start retirement planning, the success of your plan depends on many factors that are out of your control.

Retirement is a phase of life that many look forward to, envisioning it as a time of relaxation, exploration, and financial security. However, the unpredictability of economic cycles, such as recessions, can pose a threat to these well-laid plans. A recession can impact retirement savings, investments, and overall financial stability. To ensure your retirement plan remains on track even during challenging times, it’s essential to adopt strategies that protect your financial future:

1. Diversify Your Investment Portfolio: One of the fundamental principles of financial security during a recession is diversification. Diversifying your investment portfolio means spreading your investments across different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. When one sector is affected by a recession, other sectors may perform better, helping to mitigate losses. By diversifying during retirement planning, you reduce the risk of having all your retirement savings tied to a single type of investment. Retirement planning can include many financial products, including a reverse mortgage.
2. Review and Adjust Your Risk Tolerance: Your risk tolerance should align with your stage of life and financial goals. As you approach retirement, it’s prudent to reassess your risk tolerance. Shifting your investments to a more conservative mix can protect your retirement savings from the drastic fluctuations that often accompany a recession. This adjustment can help you weather market volatility without compromising your retirement planning. Your financial advisor should be able to guide you through this. Reach out to us for a referral to an experienced financial advisor in your area.
3. Maintain an Emergency Fund: Having an emergency fund in place can be a lifeline during a recession. An emergency fund typically covers three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Having this financial cushion allows you to avoid tapping into your retirement savings prematurely or taking on high-interest debt in case of unexpected job loss or medical expenses. Of course, it’s next to impossible for many seniors to save enough for an emergency fund but those with a reverse mortgage line of credit can rest assured that they can borrow from it with no monthly mortgage payments required as long as they live in the home and have funds available.
4. Continuously Contribute to Retirement Accounts: During a recession, it might be tempting to halt or reduce contributions to your retirement accounts. However, consistent contributions, especially during downturns when asset prices are lower, can lead to buying assets at a discount. Over the long term, these assets can appreciate, contributing to your retirement nest egg. It’s not advised to use funds from a reverse mortgage to put towards other investments, but a reverse mortgage can free up cash that once went to your traditional mortgage payment, allowing you to put that money into your retirement accounts instead of the abyss of principal and interest.
5. Delay Retirement Plans, if Possible: If you’re still in the workforce and a recession hits, consider postponing your retirement plans. This extra time allows your investments to recover and accumulate more wealth. Moreover, delaying retirement means you’ll have more years to contribute to your retirement accounts, ensuring a more robust financial cushion. If delaying retirement sounds unpleasant, consider how a reverse mortgage could allow you to take control of your retirement plans without having the economy dictate your timeline. A reverse mortgage could allow you an additional stream of retirement income that you never considered.
6. Focus on Essential Spending: During a recession, it’s prudent to reevaluate your budget and focus on essential spending. By cutting back on non-essential expenses, you can conserve your resources and maintain the stability of your retirement savings. This approach can also help you adjust to economic uncertainties while avoiding unnecessary financial strain. Do an audit of your most recent bank statement, and cancel any subscriptions, apps, and services that you can do without. It is also a good time to review your insurance policies to see if you can cut costs anywhere. If your monthly mortgage payment is the biggest drain on your monthly income, consider how your budget would look if you were in control of where and when that money went. A reverse mortgage can give you that ability while still maintaining ownership of your home.
7. Stay Informed but Avoid Emotional Decisions: Recessions often come with sensationalized news and market volatility. While staying informed is crucial, making decisions based on emotions and short-term market movements can be detrimental. Stick to your long-term retirement strategy and consult financial professionals before making major adjustments. Emotions shouldn’t dictate your retirement planning; make sure to review all the numbers before making any decisions.

Protecting your retirement during a recession requires a combination of strategic retirement planning, informed decision-making, and maintaining a long-term perspective. By diversifying your investments, adjusting your risk tolerance, maintaining an emergency fund, and practicing prudent financial habits, you can safeguard your retirement dreams from the impact of economic downturns. Remember that with careful planning and resilience, your retirement goals remain within reach, even in the face of challenging economic times.