You could move a large percentage of your 401K into the money market portion of the fund or stable value fund area. If you are losing sleep, place 90% or more in a stable value fund. Your expense ratio may increase, but the chances of a recession taking a ``significant'' percentage of your 401K will be reduced.
Keep Some Cash on Hand
That's the potential danger of withdrawing money early in retirement during market downturns and, thus, permanently diminishing the longevity of a retirement portfolio. By selling low, the longevity of the investor's portfolio is jeopardized.
Invest in bonds: Invest in more bonds to protect your nest egg from a stock market crash. This asset type has a lower return rate but less associated risk. Because stocks are influenced by the market, they have a better chance of multiplying your money but are more vulnerable to price shifts.
However, when an economic downturn or recession occurs, 401(k)s are not immune to the risks. Because holdings in these accounts are often largely tied to stocks, 401(k) losses can be steep if portfolios aren't structured in the best way. That is not to say avoid saving through a 401(k).
Don't “panic sell” your investments
The stock market historically has bounced back from short-term declines, so pulling your investments could mean missing out on some of the market's best days. Staying invested is usually safer than trying to time the market. Selling is how you realize losses in your account.
Moving your retirement savings to ultra-conservative funds in fear of bear markets is rarely a good idea. Fund types like a money market fund or a stable value fund pro- vide minimal returns, and in most cases, inflation is greater than any return a fund of that caliber will be able to produce.
Bond funds, money market funds, index funds, stable value funds, and target-date funds are lower-risk options for your 401(k).
The reality is that stocks do have market risk, but even those of you close to retirement or retired should stay invested in stocks to some degree in order to benefit from the upside over time. If you're 65, you could have two decades or more of living ahead of you and you'll want that potential boost.
During a freeze, the investments in your 401(k) account will continue to gain or lose value with the market. You may have the option of rolling over the money in your frozen 401(k) into an eligible IRA.
The value of a 401(k) account, or any retirement account, always depends on how the account is invested. For many people who are still decades away from retirement, their portfolios will largely consist of stock-based funds, which may suffer declines during a recession or economic slowdown.
“While it can be tempting to withdraw all your funds from a bank and keep them at home, banks are typically more secure and offer protection against theft or loss. Plus, keeping money in a bank allows for easier access to funds if needed for emergency expenses or unexpected bills.”
“Don't let a recession deter you from adding money into your 401(k). Don't let yourself make an emotional decision due to a recession or bear market.” Taking money out of the market during times of volatility can have the opposite effect of what you might be trying to accomplish in the long run.
Fixed annuities offer a guaranteed rate of return on your investment, making them a relatively low-risk option. A fixed-rate annuity can safeguard against a recession by providing a guaranteed income regardless of what the market does.
It's better to own broadly diversified mutual funds or index funds that track a broad basket of stocks, such as the S&P 500. The fixed-income portion of your portfolio, which consists of bonds, money markets, CDs, and other cash equivalents, will act as a downside buffer against a steep stock market decline.
By age 50, you should have six times your salary in an account. By age 60, you should have eight times your salary working for you. By age 67, your total savings total goal is 10 times the amount of your current annual salary. So, for example, if you're earning $75,000 per year, you should have $750,000 saved.
What Happens to My 401(k) If the Stock Market Crashes? If you are invested in stocks, those holdings will likely see their value fall. But if you have several years until you need your retirement account money, keep contributing, as you may be able to buy many stocks on sale.
As a general rule, if you withdraw funds before age 59 ½, you'll trigger an IRS tax penalty of 10%. The good news is that there's a way to take your distributions a few years early without incurring this penalty. This is known as the rule of 55.
For example, a 62-year-old with $800,000 in savings and a monthly Social Security benefit of $2,600 can reasonably expect an annual income of $63,200 in retirement. However, this figure can vary greatly depending on your individual circumstances.
While many investors are able to choose their 401(k) investments on their own, having an independent financial advisor may be beneficial. The advisor can be a sounding board for your investment choices. And they lend a steady hand encouraging you to stay the course when emotions take over during a market downturn.
The other thing that can happen in down markets is that investors may try to “time the bottom” of the market and wait to contribute money. Instead of trying to time the market, investors who have enough in their emergency savings should stay the course by continuing to contribute to their 401(k).
Any money you contribute to your 401(k), such as money contributed via payroll deduction, is money you can't lose. That employer can't take that money from you, even if you leave the company entirely. But there is another portion of your retirement plan you may not be able to claim: your vested balance.
The average 401(k) balance rose to $107,700 by the third quarter of 2023, up 11% from the year before, according to the latest update from Fidelity Investments, one of the largest retirement plan providers in the nation.