Q: My friend, age 59 and recently widowed, is interested in investing “a few dollars” to get some growth. Her modest portfolio would be just under $100K. Although she and her husband worked hard all their lives, her husband’s serious terminal illness took away much of the equity they had built.
On the plus side, she has no debts, owns her home outright, has a small pension of $750.00 per month, and works part-time, which covers all her needs. She plans on working as long as she can and plans to be able to contribute $300 per month on a continuing basis, to her TFSA, so she doesn’t foresee touching any of her capital for the next 10 years.
My very real concern is: should she be in the stock market at all? Granted, if needs arise, she could sell her home which would conservatively net her $500K. But, in the meantime, there is a very thin financial cushion between her and any serious financial needs. If she gets ill and is unable to work, that $100K could disappear very quickly. She has no disability insurance.
She says that at some point she will sell her home. As such, I thought it might be better for her to wait to get those funds in hand before jumping into the market. She prefers to start now. Her bank has advised her with a handful of mutual funds, but she would rather not.
Given the above scenario, what would Peter advise to someone who came into his office? Would it be wise, in any way, to get into the market, with some conservative companies and/or ETFs? If so, would you please suggest what percentage of her funds might be prudent for her to invest, and which companies/funds she could start with?
Thank you, sincerely, for addressing this “real life scenario”. My friend’s situation makes me think there are so many more people, just like her, who struggle with this same problem, as they near their retirement years.
If you feel this would be useful to the general membership, feel free to publish.
On the plus side, she has no debts, owns her home outright, has a small pension of $750.00 per month, and works part-time, which covers all her needs. She plans on working as long as she can and plans to be able to contribute $300 per month on a continuing basis, to her TFSA, so she doesn’t foresee touching any of her capital for the next 10 years.
My very real concern is: should she be in the stock market at all? Granted, if needs arise, she could sell her home which would conservatively net her $500K. But, in the meantime, there is a very thin financial cushion between her and any serious financial needs. If she gets ill and is unable to work, that $100K could disappear very quickly. She has no disability insurance.
She says that at some point she will sell her home. As such, I thought it might be better for her to wait to get those funds in hand before jumping into the market. She prefers to start now. Her bank has advised her with a handful of mutual funds, but she would rather not.
Given the above scenario, what would Peter advise to someone who came into his office? Would it be wise, in any way, to get into the market, with some conservative companies and/or ETFs? If so, would you please suggest what percentage of her funds might be prudent for her to invest, and which companies/funds she could start with?
Thank you, sincerely, for addressing this “real life scenario”. My friend’s situation makes me think there are so many more people, just like her, who struggle with this same problem, as they near their retirement years.
If you feel this would be useful to the general membership, feel free to publish.
