Making Your Money Last In Retirement

Quick Questions: How much can you safely withdraw each year from your retirement portfolio without the risk of running out of money before you run out of life? How much should you withdraw if you don't want to leave too much money behind when you die?

If you're as perplexed about answering these questions as many financial planners are, then this article will help update you on the latest research in this area of retirement planning. Saving for retirement is not easy, but using your retirement savings wisely can be just as challenging. Withdraw too much and you run the risk of running out of money. Withdraw too little and you may miss out on a more comfortable retirement lifestyle.

For more than 25 years, the most common guideline has been the "4% rule," which suggests that a yearly withdrawal equal to 4% of the initial portfolio value, with annual increases for inflation, is sustainable over a 30-year retirement. This guideline can be helpful in projecting a savings goal and providing a realistic picture of the annual income your savings might provide. For example, a $1 million portfolio could provide $40,000 of income in the first year, with inflation-adjusted withdrawals in succeeding years.

The 4% rule has stimulated a great deal of discussion over the years, with some experts saying that 4% is too low, and others saying it's too high. The most recent analysis comes from the man who studied it, financial professional William Bengen (widely considered in the financial planning profession as the "father of the safe withdrawal rate"), who believes the rule has been misunderstood and offers new insights based on new research.

Original Research

Bengen first published his findings in 1994, based on analyzing data for retirements beginning in 51 different years, from 1926 to 1976. He considered a hypothetical, conservative portfolio comprised of 50% large-cap stocks and 50% intermediate-term Treasury bonds held in a tax-advantaged account and rebalanced annually. A 4% inflation-adjusted withdrawal was the highest sustainable rate in the worst-case scenario — retirement in October 1968, the beginning of a bear market, and a long period of high inflation. All other retirement years had higher sustainable rates, some as high as 10% or more (1).

Of course, no one can predict the future, which is why Bengen suggested that the worst-case scenario as a sustainable rate. He later adjusted it slightly upward to 4.5%, based on a more diverse portfolio comprised of 30% large-cap stocks, 20% small-cap stocks, and 50% intermediate-term Treasuries (2).

New Research

In October 2020, Bengen published new research that attempts to project a sustainable withdrawal rate based on two key factors at the time of retirement: stock market valuation and inflation (the annual change in the Consumer Price Index). In theory, when the market is expensive, it has less potential to grow, and sustaining increased withdrawals over time may be more difficult. On the other hand, lower inflation means lower inflation-adjusted withdrawals, allowing for a higher initial rate. For example, a $40,000 first-year withdrawal becomes an $84,000 withdrawal after 20 years with a 4% annual inflation increase, but just $58,000 with a 2% annual increase.

To measure market valuation, Bengen used the Shiller CAPE, a cyclically adjusted price-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 index developed by Nobel laureate Robert Shiller. The price-earnings (P/E) ratio of a stock is the share price divided by its earnings per share for the previous 12 months. For example, if a stock is priced at $100 and the earnings per share is $4, the P/E ratio would be 25. The Shiller CAPE divides the total share price of stocks in the S&P 500 index by average inflation-adjusted earnings over 10 years.

5% rule?

Again using historical data — for retirement dates from 1926 to 1990 — Bengen found a clear correlation between market valuation and inflation at the time of retirement and the maximum sustainable withdrawal rate. Historically, rates ranged from as low as 4.5% to as high as 13%, but the scenarios that supported high rates were unusual, with very low market valuations and/or deflation rather than inflation (3).

For most of the last 25 years, the United States has experienced high market valuations, and inflation has been low since the Great Recession (4)(5). In a high-valuation, low-inflation scenario at the time of retirement, Bengen found that a 5% initial withdrawal rate was sustainable over 30 years (6). While not a big difference from the 4% rule, this suggests retirees could make larger initial withdrawals, particularly in a low-inflation environment.

One caveat is that current market valuation is extremely high: The S&P 500 index had a CAPE of 34.19 at the end of 2020, a level only reached (and exceeded) during the late-1990s dot-com boom and higher than any of the scenarios in Bengen's research (7).  His range for a 5% withdrawal rate is a CAPE of 23 or higher, with inflation between 0% and 2.5% (8) (Inflation was 1.2% in November 2020 (9)). Bengen's research suggests that if market valuation drops near the historical mean of 16.77, a withdrawal rate of 6% might be sustainable as long as inflation is 5% or lower. On the other hand, if valuation remains high and inflation surpasses 2.5%, the maximum sustainable rate might be 4.5% (10).

It's important to keep in mind that these projections are based on historical scenarios and a hypothetical portfolio, and there is no guarantee that your portfolio will perform in a similar manner. Also remember that these calculations are based on annual inflation-adjusted withdrawals, and you might choose not to increase withdrawals in some years or use other criteria to make adjustments, such as market performance. For example, some retirees, in an effort to reduce withdrawals after a "down" year in the market, forego taking an inflation-based increase for the following year.

Although there is no assurance that working with a financial professional will improve your investment results, a professional can evaluate your objectives and available resources and help you consider appropriate long-term financial strategies, including your withdrawal strategy.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss your current or upcoming withdrawal rate, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

(1)(2) Forbes Advisor, October 12, 2020

(3)(4)(6)(8,)(10) Financial Advisor, October 2020
(5)(9) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
(7) multpl.com, December 31, 2020

Disclaimer: All investments are subject to market fluctuation, risk, and loss of principal. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities fluctuates with market conditions. If not held to maturity, they could be worth more or less than the original amount paid. Asset allocation and diversification are methods used to help manage investment risk; they do not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss. Rebalancing involves selling some investments in order to buy others; selling investments in a taxable account could result in a tax liability.

The S&P 500 index is an unmanaged group of securities considered representative of the U.S. stock market in general. The performance of an unmanaged index is not indicative of the performance of any specific investment. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Actual results will vary.

Life After COVID-19: Same As it Ever Was?

And you may find yourself
Living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house
With a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, well
How did I get here?

...

Same as it ever was?

 

Once in a Lifetime Song Lyrics by the Talking Heads

 

After weeks of quarantine and “stay at home” orders, we are starting to see encouraging signs of progress in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are not out of the woods yet, our collective focus seems to be shifting to what life looks like after COVID-19.

We're all eager to go back to some sense of “normal”, but some experts believe the COVID-19 global pandemic will cause permanent changes in our lives, our psyches, and in the normal way business is conducted in America and around the world. Will we ever go back to the way we were before the virus struck?

Same as it ever was?

Our world could change in many ways beyond our current social distancing and wearing masks in public. Companies large and small are overcoming their reluctance to allow employees to work remotely. Business travel and conferences could become more virtual and less in-person events. Schools from elementary to college have been forced to accelerate online learning capabilities that could change the future of education.

Everyone is becoming more comfortable with virtual meetings, using services like Zoom, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Slack, and Microsoft Teams for everything from business meetings to exercise classes. Online shopping had already seen rapid growth in recent years, and with physical stores closed, that growth has exploded.

A catastrophe on the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic can also change the psyche in interesting ways. We can see this impact in the people who survived the Great Depression and the rationing during World War II. The most telling residue of those times was people living frugally for the rest of their days, right through a long period of abundance. At the very least, people will have an enhanced appreciation of things we once took for granted.

As we return to some form of “normal,” we need to ask ourselves some important questions. We should think about what our world looks like during this “Great Pause” and use that to make smart decisions about what we want it to look like in the future. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day brought plenty of commentary about the benefits of less traffic, smog-free cities around the world, and the return of native wildlife to city streets.

Same as it ever was?

On a more personal level, can YOU take advantage of this incredible opportunity we have been “given” to think more deeply about what you want YOUR life to look like after the pandemic? Maybe jumping right back into the life you had before is not the answer. Perhaps you could make some changes that would improve your life and enable you to live more aligned with your true purpose?

Thinking about questions like these might help as you consider what your life looks like after the pandemic:
1. What brings you joy? What percentage of your time, money, and energy are you putting into people, experiences, work, etc that bring you true joy?
2. What have you truly missed during these past few months? How can you make changes that might enable you to spend more time in these activities?
3. Are there any things you've found you really do not need in your life? We often fill our lives up with so many activities and so much “stuff” that we constantly feel overwhelmed. Maybe some of that “stuff” is not important in the long run.
4. How can you make a real difference in the lives of others that you are close to? Maybe your perspective on this has changed during the pandemic.

While my role as a CPA & Certified Financial Planner is typically focused on the financial side of my clients’ lives, the real reason for addressing these financial issues is to help you live the life you desire. That is the true purpose of financial planning. We help you think through the financial issues, concerns, and questions that you face and assist you in making smart decisions in your financial lives. We all must make choices and trade-offs in our lives, and our role is to help you think through the financial implications of doing that. But the ultimate goal is to help you live the life you desire.

I am here to help you as we all transition to life after the pandemic. All our lives will be different going forward, maybe you can make yours a little better. There is so much that is out of our control in times like these, by focusing on the things that we CAN control we can lead a better life.

Same as it ever was?

Probably not.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

Who CARES about the latest Act? You should!

Last Friday, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It is a MASSIVE bill, ($2 Trillion+) causing president Trump to remark that he had never signed anything with a “T” on it before.

What the heck? A trillion here, a trillion there--soon we're talking about real money. I remember the days when we were tossing around billions as if it was real money. Those were the days!

The bill contains many stimulus measures and tax benefits for families, workers, small businesses and governmental agencies. In this post, I will highlight and briefly explain some of the benefits, with the understanding that I too am learning as I write, and much more guidance on certain provisions is sorely needed and likely will be forthcoming.

Direct Payments to Individuals

The most notable provision in the bill is the direct payments to taxpayers. Specifically, individuals who had up to $75,000 in adjusted gross income or AGI (essentially any gross taxable income for most people) in 2019 will receive a one-time payment of $1,200, while married couples with AGI up to $150,000 will get $2,400. Additionally, taxpayers will receive an additional $500 for each qualified child, while individuals and families with income above their respective thresholds will see their relief payments reduced by $50 for every $1,000 in AGI.

Notably, while individuals must have a work-eligible Social Security number (and not be claimed as a dependent), they don't need to have had reportable income in 2019 and can be eligible for other income-benefit programs as well.

If you have not yet filed your 2019 return (which is now due on July 15, 2020), the IRS will estimate your payment based on your 2018 return. If the IRS has your banking information from your tax return, your payment will be directly deposited into the same account used for your tax refunds or payments. Otherwise, they'll mail you a check. If you're not required to file a return due to your income, the IRS may still find you to send you your payment, but forthcoming guidance on how to get your payment will help those not required to file a tax return.

Keep in mind that this payment is an advance on this year's (2020) tax credit, so you'll have to "true-up" this payment with your overall 2020 taxable income (and potentially receive a higher or lower credit amount). Tax planning, to reduce your overall AGI, becomes essential. For example, increasing deductible IRA or 401(k) contributions can help if you're anywhere near the phaseout limits.

Retirement Distribution Provisions

From a retirement planning perspective, notable provisions of the CARES Act include the elimination of the 10% early withdrawal penalty on distributions from retirement accounts for so-called “Coronavirus-Related Distributions” (with the option to spread income taxation over three years, and the ability to re-contribute back to those same accounts to make up in the future). The Act also suspends the required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020 for a wide variety of retirement accounts (for both account owners as well as beneficiaries), as well as the ability to return current year already-made distributions to your retirement plan.

401(k) loan maximums are expanded from $50K to $100K. Obviously, I highly recommend against taking 401(k) loans or pre-retirement distributions unless you have no reasonable alternative. Remember, while the 10% penalty for early distribution is waived, you still have to pay taxes on the taxable portion of the distribution.

Unemployment Benefits Expansion

In addition to the above cash payment, unemployment benefits became much more generous. While what you get in unemployment benefits vary by state, for at least the next four months, the benefit will go up by $600 a week, and more people will qualify for unemployment benefits for a longer period of time (13 weeks longer).

There is also an expansion of benefits for those who would otherwise not normally qualify (like self-employed individuals and independent contractors). Here the rules can get a bit complicated, and more guidance for self-employed individuals is definitely needed.

Normally, the self-employed don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. However, the legislation starts a new program called the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. You’ll get the $600 per week, plus half the average unemployment benefit in your state. So if you’re an independent contractor out of work, you may be in luck! Remember though that all unemployment benefits are taxable income. 

College Student Provisions

The Act provides for the deferral of Federal student loan payments (principal and interest waived) through September 30, 2020. This deferral is not necessarily automatic--you should contact your loan servicer to make arrangements for deferral. If you were thinking about converting/refinancing from federal student loans to private loans, you will probably want to hold off a few months or discuss this with your financial advisor. Those of you on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (mostly physicians) basically get six free payments toward your 120 qualifying payments.

Other student benefits including work-study payments are now just grants (possibly non-taxable). Undergraduates who dropped out of school due to the pandemic won’t lose eligibility time for Pell Grants or subsidized loans. Arts programs, universities, and other institutions of higher learning are also getting their share of stimulus payments.

Small Business Provisions

With respect to small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, certain small businesses with up to 500 employees will be able to take out loans (up to $10M depending on payroll costs and other factors-see next paragraph), which will be eligible for forgiveness if used to cover payroll and other expenses (like rent and utilities), along with other ‘employee retention’ tax credit opportunities. Other benefits for businesses include a delay in the employer’s portion of Social Security payroll tax until January 1, 2021 (with half of the deferred amounts due at the end of 2021, and the other half due at the end of 2022), and more flexible Net Operating Loss rules to obtain immediate refunds, among other provisions.

As part of the benefits to small businesses, there is $10 billion set aside for “emergency grants” to cover immediate operating costs, up to $10,000 per business. However, to get it, you have to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Each small business can borrow 2.5X average monthly payroll expenses over the last year up to $10 million, at an interest rate no higher than 4%, without any personal collateral or guarantee. Fees, principal, and interest is expected to be deferred for 6-12 months.  The amount of that loan that is used for payroll, rent, utilities, and loan interest (including mortgage) for the first 8 weeks could be forgiven tax-free, provided workers stay employed through the end of June. This is more generous than anything I've ever seen, at least in my lifetime.

There is another $17 billion set aside to cover payments on previously existing SBA loans. Also, there is currently a limitation on how much interest a business can deduct. The CARES Act raises it to 50% from 30%. Net operating losses from 2018-2020 can also be carried back five years, allowing you to refile your taxes for those years immediately to get a refund.

Other Miscellaneous Provisions

The legislation does a few other things, such as delaying your tax return and tax payment due date for 2019 income tax returns to July 15, 2020. First-quarter 2020 estimated income tax payments are also due July 15th, but oddly,  second-quarter 2020 estimated tax payments are still due on June 15 2020. I suspect that will be corrected in a technical corrections bill. Many states are also going to be pushing their tax due dates to coordinate with the new federal deadlines. This is changing rapidly, so check with your own state taxing authorities.

To help you support your favorite charity, you now have a new tax benefit too. If you don’t itemize your deductions, you can take up to $300 in charitable donations as an above-the-line deduction. The limitation on how much of your income that you can deduct (normally 50%) is eliminated as well, but just for 2020 (I personally don't know anyone who gives away 50% of their income to charity, let alone more, but for this year, you can!)

If you're one of the brave (or one who has no choice), the Act waives airplane ticket excise taxes for any trips taken during the rest of 2020.

The bill spans 247 pages, so I can't possibly detail all of the provisions. Therefore, I've only provided the highlights that I thought were most relevant for my readers (I admit that I have not read all 247 pages). Some of the provisions will require a bit of planning by individuals and small businesses, and on that, I will detail in future posts. And it's very possible or likely that more stimulus is coming, depending on how long the effect of COVID-19 lasts, so I don't believe that this is the last we've heard on this topic.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

Source: Kitces.com

What's Going on in the Markets March 28, 2020

The unprecedented market volatility continued as Friday's downside action capped off an otherwise strong week. A robust three-day bounce of about 20% from Monday's lows saw us give back roughly 1/4 of the weekly gains on Friday.

Still, in all, it was a great week for the bulls. The stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 index, gained about 10.25%, reclaiming about 1/3rd of the bear market losses incurred over the prior four weeks. This doesn't mean, however, that the bulls are out of the woods and ready to run free in the fields. Bear markets rarely end after only five weeks, especially when volatility remains as high as it currently is.

So far what we've witnessed this week seems to be classic bear market action. Whenever the markets get so far stretched to the downside, just like a rubber band, some sort of snap-back action is to be expected. Indeed, as I've described in previous postings, a "wicked rip your face off rally of 20-50%" was to be expected. So yes, we could get more upside in the short term.

What we have experienced in the markets over the past five weeks is a "waterfall" decline followed by a robust bounce that gets many investors to think that the worst may be over. Most of the time, after convincing many that it's safe to jump back in, we get a reversal of the bounce. If, in turn, the reversal plays out in traditional fashion, then the lows that were hit this past Monday will eventually be revisited and tested to see if they'll hold.

If the lows don't hold, then anyone buying into the bounce will be holding "losers" and will likely join the selling with anything they bought into the bounce and then some. If the lows do hold, then we will likely see a more durable (lasting) rally which may confirm that the worst of the decline is over for the intermediate-term. That may be the "safer" time to make more meaningful additions to your portfolio (but check with your investment advisor or talk to us).

The optimists are hoping that the massive fiscal and monetary stimulus will backstop stocks and prevent that retest from occurring, or that Monday's lows will hold. The pessimists are concerned that the uncertainty of the coronavirus and its economic consequences will keep buyers on the sidelines, and that more sellers will emerge.

The response of both the Federal Reserve and the federal government has been unprecedented. The Federal Reserve outright stated this week that it’s willing to provide unlimited monetary stimulus, announcing program after program, as its balance sheet exceeds $5 trillion for the first time. That's $5 trillion with a "T".  Yes, $5,000,000,000,000. Pause for a moment and let that number sink in. I'll wait.

Similarly, the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the President on Friday is more than double the $800 billion package passed in 2009 to ease the Great Recession. These efforts will dampen the economic fallout that has already begun to take place, but the full impact that will be realized is still largely unknown. I believe that more stimulus is going to be necessary.

The somewhat expected explosion in jobless claims on Thursday to a record 3.3 million (it had been averaging about 220,000-230,000 for many weeks) coupled with Friday's sharp drop in reported Consumer Sentiment (no surprise given what's going on in the world) indicates that the ongoing economic damage will likely be significant.

While Monday may possibly have marked an intermediate-term bottom in the market, it remains to be seen if the risks which were identified in prior posts (e.g., stock market and real estate overvaluation, low-quality corporate debt levels at a record high, yield curve inversion) will be unwound or not. The excesses that have been built up over the course of this economic cycle in terms of stock market overvaluations, inflated housing prices, and low-quality corporate debt remain in place for the most part and are clearly risks going forward. The depth and duration of this recession will be determined primarily by what happens in these key areas of vulnerability.

As we navigate through this extreme volatility, we will depend on key technical indicators to confirm whether or not Monday’s low was the bottom. Because I have serious doubts that this is the case, we used the bounce this week to reduce our overall investment allocations to stocks and exposure to riskier corporate bonds for clients. The next several weeks should provide valuable insight into whether breadth (the number of stocks going up versus the number of stocks going down) and leadership are truly stabilizing, and just how much of the economic risk is actually behind us.

While we are seeing unprecedented government support, we are also experiencing an unprecedented event that will have ramifications for every single person in the world. It would be quite foolish to believe that this monumental event can be priced into the market very quickly or easily.

At some point, there will be exceptional opportunities and they will be even better if we remain patient and wait for sustained positive price action to develop. While this extreme volatility may be good market action for very short-term stock market traders, if you're looking to build longer-term positions, it is still too early to put any substantial capital at risk.

Nibbling a little on stocks "here and there" is OK, but I recommend that you never buy a full position at once. Always ask yourself if you're comfortable holding the position and adding to it if it went down by another 25-40%. If you're not comfortable doing that, then it's too soon for you to buy because you'll likely sell at the worst possible time.

Enjoy the weekend and please stay safe. I am here to answer any questions you might have.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.

What's Going on in the Markets for March 1, 2020

As you well know, investors just experienced one of the worst weeks in recorded history in the stock market as fears over COVID-19 (Coronavirus) ramped up, and the number of confirmed cases increased. Over the last week, we saw 3 out of 4 days in which declining stocks outnumbered advancing stocks by more than an 8:1 margin. That has not occurred since 1939!

Is it time to batten down the hatches and prepare for a bear market (a bear market is one that declines at least 20% from the last peak)? I don't think so, at least not until we get more evidence pointing in that direction.

While I'm no medical student, Coronavirus could prove to be a temporary setback. But if it indeed accelerates the economy into a recession due to supply chain disruptions or causes demand for goods and services to fall off for more than 1-2 calendar quarters, then I think that we could fall into a bear market. Therefore, we cannot underestimate the potential effect of a disruption of the economic cycle.

At this point, we can only identify this as a probable market correction (something less than a 20% decline from peak to trough). In other words, we do not have definitive confirmation of a recession ahead, and we cannot yet say whether the final bull market top is in place.

From an economic standpoint, the risk of recession was low prior to the Coronavirus outbreak fears, and while there will undoubtedly be an economic impact from the virus, the signs of an economic contraction (negative gross domestic product or GDP) are still notably absent. In fact, Friday’s Consumer Sentiment report from the University of Michigan shows that optimism reached the second-highest level of this cycle in February. There will need to be a breakdown in confidence before a recession becomes probable.

On the market structure (technical) side, the data obviously deteriorated greatly last week in line with the correction in the market. The selling has been widespread and brutal. That being the case, the market has reached a deeply oversold reading, indicating that a robust rebound rally of some type should develop in the next few days, if not on Monday. The strength and breadth of that rally will be vital in assessing: 1) How much damage has been done to investor confidence, and 2) the probability that this bull market may be over.

If you are finding that your risk tolerance for this kind of market action is lower than you thought, then you should consider reducing your exposure to the stock market on any bounce. Of course, you should first consult with your financial advisor and not consider this investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Obviously, anything can change the landscape, especially a bazooka of money fired at the markets or a reduction in short-term interest rates by the federal reserve and other central bankers around the world. The markets were down much more on Friday before rallying hard in the last 30 minutes, a positive sign that we may be seeing the pace of selling slowing or abating.

Regardless, it is certainly possible that we may have seen the highs for the year (my crystal ball is still in the shop), but I'm open to what the market tells me. I'm not married to a single way of thinking (bullish or bearish) and neither should you. If the market can retrace over 60% of this decline on any sustained rally, then we might have a shot at targeting old highs. But that's a tall order, and it's going to take a while to happen if it does. Much of the technical damage has to be repaired, and a lot of disappointed regretful buyers are going to want their money back on any rally,  greatly increasing the supply of shares for sale in the short term.

Any first step in the right direction starts with arresting the current decline and successfully bounce this market for more than just a few hours or just a day. Based on the Sunday night futures markets, the current outlook looks to be for a positive open on Monday morning, despite the increase in the number of reported Coronavirus cases over the weekend. I suspect that market followers are expecting an announcement of an interest rate cut sometime on Monday.

For our client accounts, we have been reducing equity exposure for several weeks and adding hedges to our portfolios. We will continue to be defensive until we see signs that the market is stabilizing, and that a durable market low has been formed. For your part, don't be a hero: it may be too late to sell and it may be too soon to buy (but it may be OK to nibble a little). Again, I cannot advise you personally unless you become an investment-management client :-).

Over the long term, the market has always moved up, but volatility has always been the cost of enjoying higher returns in the stock market. With risk highly elevated, it may be time to do very little. Just know that this too shall pass, and better times may only be a few days, if not a few weeks away.

For now, just keep washing those hands frequently and stay home if you're sick. I can safely say that without needing a medical degree.

If you would like to review your current investment portfolio or discuss any other financial planning matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website at http://www.ydfs.com. We are a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm that always puts your interests first.  If you are not a client yet, an initial consultation is complimentary and there is never any pressure or hidden sales pitch. We start with a specific assessment of your personal situation. There is no rush and no cookie-cutter approach. Each client is different, and so is your financial plan and investment objectives.