By David S Edge

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How to invest or save has more to do with
where you are in life than you may think.

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Let’s begin with definitions.

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Invest. (verb) According to Investopia: to put (money)
to use, by purchase or expenditure, in something offering potential profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.

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Save. (verb) According to Google: 1. Keep safe or rescue (something or someone) from harm or danger. 2. Keep and store up (something, especially money) for future use.

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By definition, investors accept risk in exchange for a potential return.
Savers conversely protect their long-term savings from harm.

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In our working years, we are supposed to accumulate money for our future needs in retirement. Typically, it is acceptable to take on risk while working which is supposed to be mitigated or reduced by time. This process has served us well up until 2000. 15-year average returns on the markets averaged less than a compounded 3% for that period. You may have fared better in long-term CDs.

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The next phase of our investment life is a transitional period we call preservation. This phase should begin 5 years prior to retirement and continue about a year after. This period allows plenty of time to tax efficiently, migrate your long-term holdings, into vehicles designed for income in the next phase.

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The final phase we call distribution. This is where the new purpose of your life-long savings is now income. Depending on your needs, wants, and desires, your money now needs to replace income from work, adjust for inflation, and take care of surprises.

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Most folks have their investments do things they were not designed to do. For example, how are you supposed to plan for a steady stream of income from a mutual fund that changes in value every minute, and its returns fluctuate with the wind? Even worse, when the market adjusts, what do you tell the mortgage company or the utility company when the value is 20%, 30% or 40% less than it was last week? How is that conversation supposed to sound? “Hi, sorry my investments adjusted a little bit so I’m going to pay you a little bit less this month.” Good luck!

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May I suggest a different approach? One that doesn’t lose money, one that may add certainties and guarantees that you can count on? Call the office to learn how a comprehensive retirement income plan may solve the concerns you have about running out of money!