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Why Keeping Growth in Your Portfolio After 70 Is Crucial for Your Financial Health

Fact checked by Suzanne KvilhaugEliot Wyatt / Investopedia A too-conservative portfolio may fall short of funding your desired retirement lifestyle, especially during early market downturns or high inflation.Many retirees adopt a conservative investment strategy to help ensure they have enough income to support themselves. The “100 minus age” rule, a popular guideline, suggests subtracting your age from 100 to determine what percentage of your portfolio should be invested in stocks.But with life expectancies rising, many experts recommend more growth-oriented formulas, like 110 or even 125 minus age. In other words, exposure to growth assets is becoming increasingly important for outpacing inflation and maintaining your lifestyle. Let’s explore how proper asset allocation can help you strike the right balance between income and growth after 70.Key TakeawaysAsset allocation is the division of your portfolio among asset classes—like stocks, bonds, and cash—to manage risk and meet your goals.For retirees, asset allocation is typically about balancing short-term income needs with long-term growth to stay ahead of inflation and maintain your lifestyle. The bucket system divides your portfolio into shorter- and longer-term buckets, providing more customization than preset allocation funds, but less convenience.Rebalancing helps you stay aligned with your target allocation by periodically selling overperforming assets and buying underperforming ones.Other valuable risk management tools in retirement include diversification, strategic tax planning, and automating withdrawals to avoid emotional decisions.Understanding Asset Allocation for RetireesAsset allocation refers to how you divide your investments among asset classes, primarily including stocks, bonds, and cash or cash equivalents. The ratio between these categories is one of the most significant determinants of your portfolio’s risk and return profile, as each asset class has distinct advantages and drawbacks:Stocks offer the best long-term growth potential but are volatile in the short term.Bonds produce more stable income but tend to grow more slowly than stocks.Cash equivalents provide the most stability but may not keep up with inflation.As you move through different life stages, your ideal asset allocation usually shifts. When you’re younger, you can often afford to focus on growth and maximizing returns since you have plenty of time to recover from market downturns.Once you approach retirement, you have less time to ride out volatility. By your 70s, achieving optimal asset allocation is less about maximizing returns and more about preserving your savings so they can support your day-to-day life.ExampleSomeone in their 20s might pursue an aggressive portfolio, with 80%–100% stocks, 0%–10% bonds, and 0%–10% cash and equivalents. Someone in their 70s might adopt a conservative portfolio, with 60%–65% in bonds, 25%–30% in stocks, and 5%–15% in cash and equivalents.The Role of Growth in a Retiree’s PortfolioRetirees often prioritize low-risk, income-producing assets, but avoiding growth investments entirely can be a big mistake. A portfolio focused solely on stability may not generate high enough returns to sustain your lifestyle, especially if you encounter a poor sequence of returns early in retirement or high inflation.Without some exposure to growth, the risk of outliving your savings becomes very real. “Overly conservative portfolios early in retirement can struggle to keep up with inflation and reduce long-term financial flexibility,” said Melody Townsend, CFP, founder of Townsend Financial Planning. “The key is to balance appropriate risk with realistic income planning—not to eliminate growth altogether.”With people living longer than ever, this balancing act has become increasingly delicate. While life expectancy dipped briefly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the broader trend has been upward for decades.Fast FactAccording to the latest Social Security Administration (SSA) data, about 30% of U.S. men will live to age 85, and around 10% of women will reach age 95. Even at 70, many retirees need their savings to last 15 to 25 years.How To Balance Growth and IncomeOne of the most popular and effective strategies for balancing growth and income in retirement is the bucket strategy. Recommended by Townsend and Charles Petitjean, CFP, it involves dividing your portfolio into “buckets” based on when you need the funds.For example, according to Petitjean, you might separate your portfolio into the following three buckets:Short-term funds for the next two to three yearsIntermediate-term funds for the next four to eight yearsLong-term funds you don't need for eight or more years“The short-term bucket would be invested very conservatively, such as in a combination of cash, money market funds, and short-term bond funds,” Petitjean said. “The intermediate-term bucket might hold core bond funds with longer maturities and yield a higher annual return. Finally, the long-term bucket should be invested more aggressively, with investments such as U.S. and international stock funds.”“This allows retirees to draw income without being forced to sell growth investments during down markets,” Townsend said. As a result, you can weather market volatility with greater confidence, knowing your near-term needs are protected even if long-term investments temporarily lose value.Asset Allocation FundsIn addition to managing your asset allocation manually, you can use certain mutual funds and ETFs designed to help you achieve your desired mix more automatically. Some of the most popular examples include:Target-date funds: Designed around a specific retirement, these funds automatically adjust your investment mix over time. They typically start with a more aggressive allocation focused on growth stocks, then gradually become more conservative using bonds as the target date approaches.Balanced funds: These maintain a fixed ratio of stocks to bonds, aiming to offer a more permanent blend of growth potential and stable income. For example, a 60/40 split is common.Growth funds: Focused primarily on capital appreciation, these funds invest heavily in stocks with strong long-term growth potential. They also tend to reinvest earnings rather than paying out dividends. Income funds: These funds are designed to generate steady cash flow through interest and dividend payments. They often include bonds, stable dividend-paying stocks, and other income-generating assets.TipTarget-date and balanced funds aim to balance growth potential and income stability within a single fund, but growth and income funds must be paired together to strike that balance.While these asset allocation funds offer convenience, they may lack the precision necessary to adapt to your evolving needs. “They tend to be a good starting point for younger investors who are focused on accumulating for simplicity’s sake,” Petitjean said, “but they’re not personalized and can be somewhat of a black box.”For retirees, that lack of customization can be a significant drawback. “Balanced/income funds might work for some, but I usually recommend customizing allocation based on the retiree’s full financial picture,” Townsend said. “Off-the-shelf funds have the potential to oversimplify what is usually a very personal decision.”Rebalancing Your PortfolioBecause each asset class will grow at different and unpredictable rates, your portfolio will naturally drift from your target allocation. The process of realigning your investments with your ideal mix is called rebalancing. It involves selling off excess assets in one area and using the proceeds to bolster lagging positions in others.For example, say your target allocation is 60% stocks and 40% bonds. After a strong year in the stock market, equities might grow to represent 70% of your portfolio. Rebalancing would involve selling stocks and buying bonds to bring your ratio back in line and achieve your desired mix of growth and income.“Rebalancing is important for everyone, but it becomes even more important in retirement,” Petitjean said. “Not only does it help to keep the portfolio in line with its predefined target, but it also provides an opportunity to buy low and sell high.”Risk Management StrategiesBeyond asset allocation, here are some other effective ways to protect your portfolio in retirement.DiversificationDividing your investments among stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents reduces your risk of suffering catastrophic losses, but true diversification takes this idea further. It involves building variety within each category, such as holding stocks across different sectors, industries, or regions.When you hold individual investments that react differently to stimuli, you minimize your portfolio’s exposure to any one risk, helping to smooth out its performance. For example, if the tech sector takes a hit, having exposure to the health care sector may cushion the blow to the stock portion of your portfolio.Proactive Tax PlanningYou may not think of tax planning as a risk management strategy, but taxes represent one of the more significant threats to your retirement savings. “Some of the most overlooked forms of risk in retirement aren’t market-related; they’re tax-related,” Petitjean said.Instead of waiting to meet with your accountant until it’s time to file a return, consult with them proactively throughout each year. Petitjean and Townsend emphasized the importance of a long-term strategy to minimize your lifetime tax liability.“I am shocked by how many consumers only talk to their tax professional after the tax year has already closed,” Townsend said. “It is impossible to properly strategize by being reactive with taxes.”Proactive tax planning allows you to execute more sophisticated and potentially lucrative strategies. “For example, I often encourage retirees in their 60s and early 70s to consider partial Roth conversions,” Petitjean said.Roth conversions involve transferring funds from a pre-tax retirement account into a Roth IRA. You must pay taxes on the amount transferred in the year you execute the conversion, but you can then withdraw it tax-free from your Roth IRA in retirement.Roth conversions can help you save by paying taxes on withdrawals while you’re in lower tax brackets. “These can be especially powerful in the years before forced income begins in the form of Social Security, pension income, and required minimum distributions (RMDs),” said Petitjean.Automating WithdrawalsEmotional decision-making—especially panic selling during a downturn—can devastate your retirement savings. An investor who put $10,000 in the S&P 500 in 1995 would have $224,278 in 2024 if they stayed fully invested the whole time, but just $102,750—roughly 54% less—if they took their money out of the market during that period’s 10 best days.One of the best ways to avoid this mistake is to set up a system that removes emotion from the equation by automating your portfolio withdrawals. “Most consumers love building the income stream to come in each month, like they are still getting a paycheck from their employer,” said Townsend.Tip: Many major brokerages offer automated solutions that can help. Schwab’s Intelligent Income feature allows you to create recurring monthly distributions from a Schwab Intelligent Portfolio. Similarly, the Fidelity Retirement Income Planner is an interactive tool for developing and automating a withdrawal strategy.Working With a ProfessionalWith so many moving parts in retirement, partnering with a qualified professional who understands the full financial picture can be one of the best ways to maximize your resources. Not only can they help you navigate complex situations, but they can also help make managing your money a more passive experience. That way, you can spend your golden years relaxing rather than working in a spreadsheet.How Much Does the Average Retiree Have in Investments?The average retiree’s investment balance varies by age. Americans aged 55 to 64 have an average of $537,560 in retirement accounts. Those between 65 and 75 average around $609,230. Individuals 75 or older average $462,410.However, average doesn't necessarily mean typical. The median retirement investment account balances for these age groups are $185,000 (ages 55 to 64), $200,000 (ages 65 to 75), and $130,000 (age 75 and higher). How Can Retirees Protect Their Portfolios From Inflation?To protect your portfolio from inflation, you should maintain some exposure to growth-oriented investments, like stocks. Keeping your cash in high-yield savings accounts or low-risk money market funds can also help preserve purchasing power.How Often Should Retirees Rebalance Their Portfolios?There’s no universal rule, but experts often recommend rebalancing at least once a year, if not semi-annually or quarterly. The right frequency depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.The Bottom LineBecause your investment time horizon shrinks as you age, asset allocation becomes even more important in retirement. After 70, your focus often shifts from maximizing returns to generating reliable income, but growth investments remain vital. Some exposure is still necessary to stay ahead of inflation and maintain your lifestyle, especially with life expectancy increasing.One of the best ways to balance growth and income is through the bucket strategy and regular rebalancing. Financial advisors can help you implement these and other risk management strategies, like advanced diversification, proactive tax planning, and automating withdrawals.
Common Crypto Scams and How To Protect Yourself in the Digital Age

Fact checked by Suzanne Kvilhaugmihailomilovanovic / Getty Images The rise of cryptocurrency has made it an attractive target for fraudsters.Cryptocurrency is hugely popular. The promise of being part of a cutting-edge technology and potentially reaping significant benefits has drawn even tech-averse customers. Unfortunately, along with the rapid rise in interest in crypto has come an increase in related scams and fraud. According to the FBI, losses related to crypto fraud surged by 45% year-over-year to $5.6 billion in 2023, based on 69,000 complaints from the public that year.Potential crypto enthusiasts eager to explore the space but hesitant because of the risks of scams should take heart: there are many ways to protect oneself in the digital age. This guide will share some of the most common cryptocurrency scams to raise awareness. Readers should leave with a better understanding of how to participate in the crypto space safely.Key TakeawaysThe rise of cryptocurrency has made it an attractive target for fraudsters.Scams range from phishing attacks to fake ICOs to rug pulls, and each type requires a different approach to avoid.Protecting your crypto assets involves vigilance, education, and using security best practices.Even experienced crypto enthusiasts can fall victim to scams without proper precautions.Understanding the Crypto Scam LandscapeThere is no single type of cryptocurrency-related scam. Rather, this umbrella term may refer to everything from small-scale personal thefts of tokens or wallet access, all the way up to massive hacks that could take down entire exchanges. As digital currencies have grown more mainstream—and more valuable—the incentive for bad actors to take advantage of unsuspecting investors has also risen. Add to this the fact that a hallmark of the cryptocurrency industry is its anonymity and decentralized nature, and these scams become all the more appealing to criminals.Common Crypto Scams You Need To Know AboutPhishing AttacksWhat Is It?: A phishing attack is one in which scammers impersonate a trusted entity—a popular crypto exchange or platform, say, or even an individual—in an effort to steal sensitive information like private keys or account login information.How It Works: Commonly, phishing attacks begin with a fraudster sending a message to potential victims (perhaps via a fake email address or on social media). The recipients, unaware of the risk of a phishing attack, open the message to find a link to a website that looks like a familiar one—say, of a cryptocurrency exchange they commonly use.They may then click on that link and input account login details or other sensitive information, only to find that it doesn’t work correctly. In actuality, they have provided the attacker with their sensitive information by voluntarily sharing it via the fake website.How to Protect Yourself: Crypto investors should always be on the lookout for suspicious-looking links and URLs—if a link purports to be from a company you trust, double-check that the link matches those used by the official company. Phishing attacks often also include spelling, grammar, or other proofreading mistakes. TipEnabling two-factor authentication for real and trusted websites with login details will help to protect users.Ponzi Schemes and High-Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs)What Is It?: Ponzi schemes have plagued investors before the advent of cryptocurrencies. These fraudulent ploys promise high returns but pay investors with the investments of others involved in the scheme. A high-yield investment program (HYIP) is a specific type of Ponzi scheme in the crypto space. These scams promise massive returns and passive income over a short time. They often make use of paid social media promoters and may initially appear to be legitimate, although they eventually collapse as unsustainable structures.Famous Examples: BitPetite and PlusToken are two examples of HYIPs that drew large numbers of investors. In the case of BitPetite, the project lacked fundamental structure and, eventually, the developers shut down the website and disappeared along with investor funds. PlusToken drew in investors before those investors discovered they could not withdraw funds.How to Protect Yourself: Despite the massive returns of many legitimate cryptocurrencies, potential investors should always be wary of opportunities that seem too good to be true. It’s essential to do due diligence and thoroughly research any new product before investing.Fake ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings)What Is It?: Initial coin offerings (ICOs) are a common feature of the cryptocurrency world, like initial public offerings for publicly traded equities, ICOs help to raise essential funds for a crypto project through the sale of tokens. Unfortunately, ICO scammers may create a fake project to steal funds from investors, under the guise of a legitimate ICO. In these cases, the promised tokens typically never materialize.Warning Signs: Many of the same red flags for HYIPs apply to ICOs as well. Suppose a token project lacks a rigorous, thorough whitepaper. In that case, if it appears too good to be true, or if the materials surrounding the project or its team seem suspicious, it’s best to leave it alone and avoid investing.How to Protect Yourself: ICOs can be a great investment opportunity, but it’s essential to research them thoroughly before participating. Consider only identifying potential ICOs for investment through a trusted platform or a third-party reviewer.Rug Pulls/Crypto Exit ScamWhat Is It?: When someone “pulls the rug out” from someone else, they suddenly remove support, leaving the victim in a compromised position. In crypto, a “rug pull” is very similar—it occurs when the developers of a project suddenly pull out liquidity or assets after a launch, leaving hapless investors with suddenly worthless tokens. These scams are also known as crypto exit scams.How It Happens: Developers often effectuate a rug pull by heavily promoting a new coin or token project, often on social media and even through hired crypto influencers. They often use liquidity pools, reserves of cryptocurrencies that can be traded without a centralized market or exchange.How to Protect Yourself: Before investing in a crypto project, it’s essential to verify the legitimacy of that token. Take time to research the team involved, get to know the liquidity of the token, and, ideally, examine the code to see if it holds up.Pump and Dump SchemesWhat Is It?: Crypto investors often experience a sense of fear of missing out, or FOMO, in which they worry that they’ve missed an opportunity to invest in a highly profitable token. Scammers capitalize on this psychological element of the space by working to artificially inflate the price of a token through hype. When the price has been boosted, these scammers then sell large quantities of tokens to investors who suspect the price will continue to rise, leaving those investors with losses.How It Works: Scammers engaging in pump and dump schemes often work together to heavily promote a token, often on social media. The goal is to build up investor interest and a sense that the price of the token will continue to rise. They often also use coordinated trading efforts to sell off large quantities of tokens simultaneously.How to Protect Yourself: Investors should follow the indicators of a token’s price, not their emotions, and always do thorough research.How To Protect Yourself From Crypto ScamsUse Trusted PlatformsOne of the best ways to protect yourself from crypto scams is to use a reputable exchange like Coinbase or Binance. These and similar platforms offer strong security protocols and other benefits. Within your account, it’s helpful to use two-factor authentication and other security features, where available.Be Skeptical of Unsolicited OffersEasy money is often too good to be true, in the crypto space, just as in other investments. Beware of unsolicited messages or emails that promise significant returns for little or no work. Always double-check the legitimacy of an offer before engaging, even before clicking on a link from an email.Keep Your Private Keys SecurePrivate keys and recovery phrases are essential tools for cryptocurrency investors to access their holdings and are frequent targets of scammers. Be sure to keep your secure information safe—consider storing data offline if possible, and never share it. Hardware wallets and similar products can help to keep this information safe from theft.Stay InformedNew types of cryptocurrency scams are emerging all the time. To be best prepared to avoid them and maintain security over your holdings, stay up-to-date on these threats by following trusted forums, news sites, and educational resources. The California government’s Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, for example, maintains a list of crypto scams that is regularly updated to include new threats. By subscribing to alerts from a reputable crypto security platform, you can stay informed without having to actively check for updates.Verify ICOs and TokensThoroughly research any token, ICO, or DeFi project before making an investment. Resources like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap are helpful ways to track crypto prices and verify many token details.How Can I Tell if a Cryptocurrency Exchange Is Legitimate?Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, and always do thorough research. Legitimate exchanges will always have robust information available on websites and social media and will typically have reviews and other information posted by third parties.What Should I Do if I Fall Victim to a Crypto Scam?If you fall victim to a scam, report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). If the scam is related to an exchange or other platform, notify the appropriate team with that exchange. You may also wish to inform a tax professional, as there may be tax implications for victims of crypto scams.Are There Any Specific Red Flags When Looking at New Cryptocurrency Projects?Legitimate cryptocurrency projects should have thorough and compelling whitepapers, documentation of development teams, and other information supporting their success before launch. Be cautious around any project that seems to be short on this information. You should also keep an eye out for signs that developers may be trying to artificially hype a token before launch in order to try to build up its price.The Bottom LineThe best defense against cryptocurrency scams is vigilance. Investors who stay informed and maintain best practices for securing their tokens stand the greatest chance of avoiding scams. Remember that these attacks are always changing, and you’ll need to stay up-to-date on the latest methods fraudsters use to protect your investments.Still, while scams do exist and are a legitimate threat, many resources and strategies—often for free—are available to protect investors in the crypto space and minimize risk.One way crypto investors can work together to protect the industry is by sharing resources like this one, which aims to educate those new to the cryptocurrency world about the risks to be as safe and secure in their investment practices as possible.
Breaking Down the Top 5 Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap: How They Differ and Why

A guide to the leading cryptocurrencies for beginner crypto investors