Where to invest for retirement

[warrior12]

So retirement is here and the need to keep up with inflation for my savings is at hand.   In  the past I resisted the stock market . A few years ago when the banks had almost none secured growth investment options, I switched to conservative mutual funds , which never really kept up with inflation.  To be fair, I had finiancial planners met with me to address investing oppertunities.  I thought though the stock market, even with mutual funds was a bit like gambling.  

Now , with either the option to keep on working or invest in the market is before me, as I see that the way finance is structured, you are kind of forced to go to the market if one is to keep up with inflation .   

How are folks invested in their retirement here as believers. Is the stock market in your opinion honest to gain wealth or  ??.   The way I see it, one almost has no other choice in todays complex world of finance and survival ?.

Any inputs apprecieated  

[walla299]

I'd recommend finding a good financial advisor for that kind of advice. You should be able to find one who is a believer as well. I was surprised how easy they are to find. Perhaps someone at church knows one?

[In the Clouds]

I invested my small inheritance with a financial advisor.  And then came Bush the younger and Obama in 2008 that some companies were too big to fail.  Well, that led to my investments being absconded and then moving to China.  That was GM.  I never recovered my retirement savings from that loss.  My life lesson was a harsh disaster on my comfort level in retirement today.  But, some still have hope that the gamble of investing in the stock market will pay enough to make life comfy cozy in later years.

What has worked for me and what I suggest is investing in real estate.  The world is getting smaller if you know what I mean about the population increasing and the need and use of natural resources.  What is the most important natural resource that you want to see thrive, sustain, and protect?  And, what is your sense of duty for helping others in shelter and helps?  That was my measure of investment and responsibility.  You can forward both with your decisions.  Blessings to others and blessings for yourself.  It's been good for me and mine.

Ultimately you seek a responsible way to live your golden years.  The choice is yours.

[In the Clouds]

You are most welcome, Bro.

[timf]

Is the stock market in your opinion honest to gain wealth

Financial planning is a sort of fortune telling. If one could predict the future, it would be easy. Most people recommend diversification because no matter what happens, you will probably be left with something.

About stocks

If a stock that pays $1 a year in dividends was available to purchase for $10, you would be making 10% interest per year. However, stocks that pay $1 per year sometimes sell for $100 per share. The majority of the price is speculation. However, with inflation the price of the stock should rise over time.

Some people invest in rental property however, even this can have problems. For example the rental property that was used by illegal aliens now may not be generating as much income.

My wife may be getting an inheritance and we are thinking about something that would be covered by FDIC such as a bank fund of US treasuries. This might sound strange given the US is 36 trillion in debt, but given our ages, inflation is not as much of a worry are getting taken to the cleaners by some investing scheme.

[other one]

On 4/10/2025 at 7:24 PM, warrior12 said:

So retirement is here and the need to keep up with inflation for my savings is at hand. 

I think you should have been planning this for the past 30 years at least if you are close to 65.   I would suggest you find a good honest adviser and ask them. Be careful though for a lot of them will advise you things that will make them money.  The company I worked for had a decent retirement plan and my wife was a teacher for 20+ years and we both had extra 401k's.  We had enough saved up to purchase some fixed lifetime annuities that pays us more than we really need to get by on.  We also have no debt at all except for a discover card that gets paid off each month and that's the real secret to a good retirement.  We have never lived beyond our means so it's pretty easy for us.

[warrior12]

1 hour ago, other one said:

I think you should have been planning this for the past 30 years at least if you are close to 65.   I would suggest you find a good honest adviser and ask them. Be careful though for a lot of them will advise you things that will make them money.  The company I worked for had a decent retirement plan and my wife was a teacher for 20+ years and we both had extra 401k's.  We had enough saved up to purchase some fixed lifetime annuities that pays us more than we really need to get by on.  We also have no debt at all except for a discover card that gets paid off each month and that's the real secret to a good retirement.  We have never lived beyond our means so it's pretty easy for us.

Thank you for the input.  I am debt free and my savings is decent. As we know though, if not invested for growth, inflation will eat into it each year and by the amount that each country is at.  I did have investment advisors, but as you said, they do things to make them money. If one is financially illiterate, then you are at the mercy of their advice.  I think I have a better understanding now of how basic investment work and can be more involved with a broker or bank.   

The way I see it, conservative investment rarely beats inflation and only stocks or mutual funds can have impact for growth.  Sometime planning can change or situation can arise that changes things, so I guess I was seeking to see any other options than stocks and the market.   

I will also say too, that parents must teach their kids the importance of managing their finance and the way the different options of investment work.   In today's world , that is vital from an early age .     Thanks again.

[warrior12]

4 hours ago, timf said:

Financial planning is a sort of fortune telling. If one could predict the future, it would be easy. Most people recommend diversification because no matter what happens, you will probably be left with something.

This is what I am skeptical about.  Things can go well for a couple years and then turn of events can affect what one thought might be a safe option.   Well we saw that this week.   It is true to a point that the market always rebounds, but the uncertainty is what most don't want, but cannot avoid, plus it is an experience that one has to actually witness .    

Inflation is what I am concerned the most as, one does not know the longetivity and unforseen things that could arise that may have impact on savings ect.    

I guess everyone has their own situation and I will have to find my rest with of course prayer, wise counsel and doing the homework.  

Thanks for your input .

[Debp]

On 4/10/2025 at 5:24 PM, warrior12 said:

So retirement is here and the need to keep up with inflation for my savings is at hand.   In  the past I resisted the stock market . A few years ago when the banks had almost none secured growth investment options, I switched to conservative mutual funds , which never really kept up with inflation.  To be fair, I had finiancial planners met with me to address investing oppertunities.  I thought though the stock market, even with mutual funds was a bit like gambling.  

Now , with either the option to keep on working or invest in the market is before me, as I see that the way finance is structured, you are kind of forced to go to the market if one is to keep up with inflation .   

How are folks invested in their retirement here as believers. Is the stock market in your opinion honest to gain wealth or  ??.   The way I see it, one almost has no other choice in todays complex world of finance and survival ?.

Any inputs apprecieated  

In younger years perhaps investing in some stocks is ok as you are still working.    But as a senior citizen I think having funds protected by the FDIC is very important.   That would mean seeking the highest interest rate on CDs or Time Accounts.   Banks will usually pay a higher interest rate when you deposit new money with them.   Some people keep changing banks in order to get the higher rate.

[other one]

12 hours ago, warrior12 said:

Thank you for the input.  I am debt free and my savings is decent. As we know though, if not invested for growth, inflation will eat into it each year and by the amount that each country is at.  I did have investment advisors, but as you said, they do things to make them money. If one is financially illiterate, then you are at the mercy of their advice.  I think I have a better understanding now of how basic investment work and can be more involved with a broker or bank.   

The way I see it, conservative investment rarely beats inflation and only stocks or mutual funds can have impact for growth.  Sometime planning can change or situation can arise that changes things, so I guess I was seeking to see any other options than stocks and the market.   

I will also say too, that parents must teach their kids the importance of managing their finance and the way the different options of investment work.   In today's world , that is vital from an early age .     Thanks again.

My sister retired and moved to Hot Springs Village in Arkansas.  During one of the bubble busts she had several friends go back to work that had retired and a few lost their retirement homes, so I did not want to take the chance.   Annuities seemed to be the safest way to go for us.  While it is fixed for life, you need at least three times the income you need to exist happily, because of inflation. The shape the world was getting in 15 years ago, we decided to go as safe as we can.