Retirees must look past bonds

Article Excerpt

Some investors headed to retirement decide they’re just too old to assume any investment risk. As a result, they put most, if not all, of their money in fixed-return investments and government bonds. They then work out a budget dictated by today’s low bond yields. It’s true that government bonds don’t expose you to any default risk. But they do leave you at the mercy of inflation and rising interest rates. Right now, the risk of an immediate rise in inflation and interest rates may seem small, but both remain at the low end of their historical ranges. So, the next big move is likely to be upward. Meanwhile, taxes weigh particularly heavily on any interest income. A reduced investment return and the loss of any tax deferrals can take an enormous bite out of your capital over a decade or two. two…