Retirement Living

Retired people often live on a fixed income, so it doesn’t take many years of high inflation to erode savings faster than expected. For example, the income stream of retirees with a workplace defined contribution (DC) pension plan is linked to how their investments perform. If markets are declining – which typically happens during periods of high inflation – the investments in their DC plan might not generate returns that keep pace with inflation. 

Conversely, retirees in a defined benefit (DB) plan could be better off because these pension plans guarantee a specified income stream and are indexed to inflation (partially or fully). As a result, DB plans help retirees withstand higher inflation and maintain their purchasing power. Note that both Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments are indexed to inflation, so that also helps retirees contend with rising costs.

Benefits Of Financial Advice

As you plan for retirement, it’s valuable to work with an Investment Advisor. They’re trained to help create and maintain customized wealth plans flexible enough to endure different economic and market conditions. Experienced advisors can also recognize shifting circumstances and make financial adjustments accordingly.

When it comes to retirement planning, consider these four strategies to help you manage the potentially wealth-eroding effects of high inflation:

  1. Diversify your portfolio. As mentioned, many investments decline in value when inflation is high, since rising costs often lead to rising debt. This may prompt people to reduce spending, which negatively affects business growth. However, not all investments follow the same pattern, as high inflation actually benefits some industries, such as commodities like oil and gold. Diversified exposure to industries, sectors and geographical regions may help manage volatility and risk, as some (or all) of your losses will be offset by the winners.
  2. Be selective with fixed income. Similar to the point above, diversifying fixed-income exposures may also help when inflation and interest rates rise. In addition to traditional bonds that many investors hold, your advisor may suggest investing in securities like floating rate or real-return bonds (or funds holding such securities). As market rates rise, these bonds tend to maintain value better and generate more income than traditional bonds. Also, an allocation to GICs can lock in today’s higher rates before they decline, helping you put away more cash for retirement.
  3. Use registered products. RRSPs and TFSAs are proven options to save tax efficiently for retirement. At any time, but especially when inflation is high, you should preserve as much wealth as possible. While your advisor helps you save tax by using vehicles like RRSPs and TFSAs, they also instil a disciplined approach so you can save money regularly, either for investing or as part of your retirement cash reserves.
  4. Be opportunistic. Since retirement can be costly as people are living longer, an important planning goal is building long-term wealth. Over the short term, stock markets tend to decline when inflation is high, but everything moves in a cycle. Eventually the markets will rebound, so if the strategy matches your time horizon and risk tolerance, your advisor may recommend investing now to take advantage of lower prices. As the markets recover, your “buy low” investments could benefit significantly and enhance your retirement nest egg.

Running out of money is a legitimate concern. Many retirees live on a fixed income, such as government benefits, a company pension plan and maybe RRIFs or annuities. While some income sources are indexed to inflation to help keep pace with rising costs, ultimately you’re drawing down on your money in retirement, rather than growing wealth as you did when working. Nobody wants to experience a shortfall that may require amending retirement plans or result in financial insecurity.

Should you sell your home?

One possible solution as you enter retirement is to sell your home and rent instead. Although renting isn’t typically a goal for people who already own their home, let’s consider the potential benefits of this strategy.

Real estate values in Canada have declined somewhat as higher mortgage rates dampen the enthusiasm of prospective buyers. However, if you’ve owned your home for several years or even decades, chances are you’ve built considerable equity in that property as housing prices have risen steadily over time.

If you sell your home and rent when you retire, you’ll have a tidy sum of cash available. Some of it can be put toward regular living costs and discretionary expenses like a vacation, a new vehicle or pursuing hobbies. You may also wish to invest for the future. With guidance from your Investment Advisor, you can decide how to allocate your money across various investment products. Having the potential to grow your assets through investing is a proven way to extend how far your money can stretch in retirement.

Over longer periods, the stock market has generated higher returns than real estate (here’s one study as an example), so relying on the value of your home might not be the best option to achieve long-term growth. Also, investing in a range of securities provides diversification as you tap into different sources of growth potential. This approach may help reduce overall risk if one (or more) of your investments declines in value at a given time. On the other hand, when the bulk of your assets is invested only in your home, you may face a sharp decline in wealth if the real estate market weakens.

Three Other Benefits Of Renting

  1. Home ownership involves maintenance and repair costs, property taxes, insurance, utility bills and other expenses that add up in a hurry. The older your home, the higher the expenses could be. Also, the older you are, the less likely you’ll want to deal with the maintenance and repairs. Renting will shift the burden to your landlord.
  2. Property taxes usually increase each year, taking a bite out of your retirement savings and cash flow. If you sell your home, you avoid property taxes, plus capital gains from the sale of a principal residence are tax exempt, leaving more money in your pocket.
  3. Selling your home gives you flexibility to decide where to live. Maybe you want to move to a warmer climate or be closer to children and grandchildren. Perhaps relocating near parks, golf courses or other preferred amenities is appealing. Selling also provides an opportunity to downsize from a large house to a condo or apartment, for a more carefree lifestyle with less hassle and fewer responsibilities.

By iA Private Wealth

Speak with your Investment Advisor for guidance on which approach is best suited to your unique needs and goals.

This article is a general discussion of certain issues intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice. Please obtain independent professional advice, in the context of your particular circumstances. iA Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. iA Private Wealth is a trademark and business name under which iA Private Wealth Inc. operates.