The 8 Best Investments for Retirees

During retirement, you still need cash at hand to cover everyday or unexpected expenses. You may even want cash for leisure trips. But how much cash should you have on the ready? Many financial advisors may suggest having enough cash to cover three to six month of living expenses, though one expert suggests having enough to cover 12 to 24 months. Anything less and you might have to sell other assets in a down market or unfavorable conditions. To make your cash work harder, put the dollars in a high yielding savings account rather than a checking account. Or put it in the next option.

Money market accounts are fixed income securities that earn a modest interest rate. Yet the investments are stable – a key concern for retirees. The interest rate is generally higher than with a bank savings account. Although the rate of return is relatively low, money market accounts are good places to stash emergency funds. Beware of inflation when investing in a money market account, however. If inflation rises above the rate offered in the account, your money could lose some of its value.

As you built up your retirement savings during your working years, bonds would not have been your first choice. The low return rate is not very attractive to younger investors. When you switch to managing a portfolio in retirement, bonds are an ideal choice. Although your money will grow steadily and likely match inflation, you will not see the high returns possible in stock investing. Bonds offer lower risk investing at a time when you do not want to see the volatility of the stock market crater your savings.

A series of bond investments with staggered maturities, a bond ladder provides diversification within a bond portfolio. You are not locked in with one bond for a prolonged period, which can expose you to the ups and downs of the bond market, and you still enjoy the different monthly incomes from the coupon payment. With a bond ladder, you also have access to relatively liquid money by having bonds that are steadily maturing over time.

Investing in stocks when you are retired is slightly more risky, but has several advantages to careful investors. Conservative, dividend-paying stocks can offer higher returns than certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury notes. Steer clear of the latest hot stocks and invest in large cap stocks that have a long track record of paying dividends and increasing the payouts. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than a third of your investments in stocks if you are 65 or older.

Want to invest in stocks and bonds and have a professional pick the investments? Mutual funds could be the answer. Mutual funds invest in stocks and bonds to mitigate risk through diversification. Another option is to invest in a retirement income fund, which is a type of mutual fund offering both a steady income and growth potential.

A low risk investment, certificates of deposit, or CDs, offer an interest rate premium. In exchange, the bank or credit union keeps your money for a specified period of time, which can range anywhere from a month to 10 years. When the term is up, you will get your money back plus interest earned. Shop around for the best rates. Set aside money in a CD for when you may need it later in retirement, because you will be penalized if you withdraw early.

Buying a rental property and pocketing the rental income is one way to get a steady money source in retirement. If you purchase the right property at the right price, you can easily cover the mortgage and taxes and net yourself some extra dollars. The downside? As a landlord, you are responsible for maintenance, or you can hire a management company to do the work for you.