Retirement income
Learn why planning for retirement income is not the same as retirement planning, and how to prepare for five retirement realities that may affect you.
It’s important to understand that taking income in retirement (distribution) requires a different investment strategy than saving for retirement (accumulation). The table below outlines the key differences:
Accumulation |
Distribution |
|---|---|
Emphasis on return |
Emphasis on income and capital preservation |
A focus on creating a personalized investment portfolio |
A focus on creating a personalized total retirement income plan |
Time horizon is defined, yet adjustable |
Time horizon unknowable and not adjustable |
Impact of market declines is more manageable |
Impact of market declines is less manageable |
Inflation managed by wage growth |
Inflation managed through investment choices |
Learn about the five retirement realities and ways that you can work with your financial professional to reduce their impacts:
Longevity: “Will my money last?”
Perhaps more than any other factor, longevity has changed the very concept of retirement. People are living longer than ever thanks to advances in science, medicine and healthier lifestyles. This is great news, but longer lifespans mean we must also plan — and save — for extended time horizons.
Calculations based on the 2022 Alternative 2 mortality probabilities from the Social Security Administration website, ssa.gov.
How you can plan for this retirement reality:
- While lifespan is unknowable, there are some available data to help you plan ahead. Use the life expectancy calculator at ssa.gov to get an estimate of your potential lifespan.
- Depending on your needs and risk tolerance, your financial professional can develop an investment plan designed to extend the life of your money and will make adjustments as needed to help sustain assets over the long term.
Market shocks: “What if the market drops?”
During your working years, there may be enough time to recover from market downturns, but the story changes when you enter retirement, particularly if a series of poor results occurs early on in the distribution phase.
Market volatility over the past 20 years
S&P 500 Index is a measure of 500 commonly held large U.S. stocks. Results for the S&P 500 Index assume reinvestment of all distributions. Results do not reflect sales charges. Past results are not predictive of results in future periods.
Source: S&P 500
Each S&P Index ("Index") shown is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2022 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
How you can plan for this retirement reality:
- Work with your financial professional to develop a diversified retirement income strategy that can help you weather the ups and downs of the marketplace.
- Remember that volatility — the ups and downs of the market — is an inherent part of investing. In challenging times, it’s helpful to maintain a long-term perspective. Your retirement could last 15, 20 or even 30 years.
Inflation: “What will my money buy?”
You can see the effects of inflation in your everyday life. For example, the average cost of a gallon of gas was $1.21 in 1991. In 2022, it was $5.15. Imagine how much it will cost 30 years from now.
The effects of inflation over 30 years
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index — Average Price Data, June 1991 and June 2022
How you can plan for this retirement reality:
- Be aware of the role of inflation on your future purchasing power. You may not have noticed inflation during your working years because you may have received a cost-of-living increase in your salary.
- Social Security benefits generally increase with inflation. Talk to your financial professional about the potential benefits of delaying Social Security payments.
- Work with a financial professional to develop a strategy for you with investments designed to keep you ahead of inflation.
Consumption: “Can I continue to enjoy this lifestyle?”
Worrying about money is not how you want to spend your retirement; therefore, it’s important to consider how much you’ll have to spend on a monthly or annual basis to understand what it will be like to live within your means.
Average annual expenditures by age group
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, September 2021
Although total consumption generally decreases in retirement, keep in mind:
- Amounts represent averages only.
- Inflation is not taken into account.
- Medical costs can be much higher depending on the client’s health.
How you can plan for this retirement reality:
- Discuss your needs, goals and desires in retirement with your financial professional, who can help you estimate what you may need.
- Work with your financial professional to develop a strategy designed to help you live the lifestyle you’d like, while reducing the chances of outliving your savings and maintaining an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.
Health care: “Will medical costs deplete my savings?”
The rising cost of health care is “the most significant threat to the long-term economic security of workers and retirees,” according to the Social Security Advisory Board.
Rising health care costs in a typical retirement
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, September 2022
How you can plan for this retirement reality:
- Work with your financial professional to develop a retirement income strategy that factors in your insurance coverage options and the rising cost of health care.
- The simplest defense against rising health care costs is to stay healthy! Be sure to take good care of your health and get regular exercise.
Other resources
Teamwork built on individuality
Multiple perspectives come together to inspire better results.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
There may have been periods when the results lagged the index(es). The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Each S&P Index ("Index") shown is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2023 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.