Group items tagged

"People have homeowners insurance to protect against fires and floods," notes independent financial planner Stephen Ng, founder and president of Stephen Ng Financial Group, (www.stephenngfg.com). "They buy insurance to replace their car if it gets wrecked and they buy health insurance to protect themselves from medical costs. "But for many people, their biggest material asset is their retirement portfolio. When I look at a new client's portfolio and ask, 'Where's your insurance?' they look at me like I'm crazy!" Insure your retirement fund by taking steps to safeguard at least a portion of it, Ng says. As you get closer to retiring, the amount you safeguard will be what you need to rely on for your retirement income. "Your retirement income should be derived from guaranteed sources, such as Social Security benefits and your pension plan," says Ng, a licensed 3(21) fiduciary advisor, certified to advise companies about their 401(k) and other retirement plans. "It's the amount you need to pay the bills and do the other things you hope to do in retirement, so your retirement income needs to be a guaranteed source of income. "Then you look for your 'play checks.' That's the money you don't absolutely have to have, so you can still try to grow it, and take risks with it, in the market."