My retirement fund that I just started was worth $15k in December of 2021. Then, May of 2022, our area was hit really hard. My retirement plan went down to $7k. Today, it’s worth $11k. I lost $4k on my retirement plan. It’s invested in total market funds, some tech, some big cap companies, and healthcare. But every sector has been ravaged by the stock market changes.
I like to go a step further and do a target-date retirement fund. I think Vanguard funds are based on index funds, but they will reduce how aggressively they invest as you approach your retirement date. And the fees are very low.
The close to retirement ones suffered that year. The 2030 target lost 25% in less than a year recently and hasn’t recovered. Ironically, the high risk ones have been less risky during COVID than the low risk ones.
Interesting. I’m targeting 2065 retirement, so I’ve got a long time. But I guess that fund could suffer from the same issue? Or maybe I should assume the same fate based on past events.
Not sure. I’m guessing interest rate stuff will mess with anything with bond holdings, so that probably had stuff to do with it. Other than that… I don’t know if I can convey a big enough shrug in text form.
If you’re really hands off these are a good choice. But if you are willing to rebalance a couple of times a year, it’s unnecessary to pay the extra fees associated with these funds.
I do like the automatic set it and forget it. Especially with scheduling transfers into investment accounts. I could probably get into rebalancing short-term, but I think long-term I would get bored and forget.
Yeah it’s not for everyone, but I just have an event on my calendar for every six months, and I just rebalance when it goes off. Only takes a short while, especially if you are using some tool that will tell you what your weights are.
Any tools you recommend? Also, how sure are you that the cost savings actually make it worth the effort? My gross expense ratio is 0.08% (I think I’m looking at the right number?)