Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, I often hear in the financial news that this market is becoming very expensive. I’m about four years from retirement. Does it make sense for people like me to build up a cash position, or do I continue to invest in stocks?

Article Excerpt

A: There are good reasons to stay out of the stock market, but approaching retirement isn’t one of them. If you simply can’t accept any instability in the value of your holdings, due to temperamental reasons or cash needs, that alone is a good reason to sell your stocks, regardless of age. For example, you may need every dollar you have for fixed financial commitments such as coming up with a down payment on a home in three years or less. Some retirees worry about having to sell some of their holdings at low prices if they happen to need funds during a market downturn. To counter that specific fear, you may want to move some funds into GICs or bonds for current income for day-to-day or annual expenses. As a rule, however, we think most investors should also continue to invest some of their money in stocks in retirement. After all, high-quality stocks with sustainable dividends—like those we recommend in our newsletters—can provide…