Diversify Your Portfolio
Bonds, on the other hand, are safer investments but usually produce lesser returns. Having a diversified 401(k) of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in stocks, bonds and even cash can help protect your retirement savings in the event of an economic downturn.
Generally speaking, a diversified portfolio including SP500 is best for long time horizons (ie. Retirement). Going these two might be okay for now, but you should consider adding a small portion of bonds, cash, and international stocks (about 5-10% total, rest in stocks). Does your plan offer a retirement date fund?
Seek Out Core Sector Stocks
If you want to insulate yourself during a recession partly with stocks, consider investing in the healthcare, utilities and consumer goods sectors. People are still going to spend money on medical care, household items, electricity and food, regardless of the state of the economy.
Shifting more of a portfolio's allocation to bonds and cash investments may offer a sense of security for investors who are heavily invested in stocks when a period of extended volatility sets in. That can be a key component of trying to protect your 401(k) from a stock market crash.
If you're closer to retirement, you may want to consider changing your portfolio's allocation so that it's invested less in risky assets (like stocks) and more in safer assets (like bonds). This could help prevent more losses to your 401(k).
For nonretirees, that means setting aside three to six months' worth of living expenses in a relatively safe, liquid account—such as an interest-bearing checking account, money market savings account, money market fund, or short-term CD—plus enough cash to cover any upcoming sizable expenses, such as tuition payments.
What Are the Biggest Risks to Avoid During a Recession? Many types of financial risks are heightened in a recession. This means that you're better off avoiding some risks that you might take in better economic times—such as co-signing a loan, taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), or taking on new debt.
“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.”
Should I Move my 401(k) to a Stable Value Fund? This depends on your risk tolerance, and how long you have until you retire. Stable value funds are ideal for investors nearing retirement. They are not designed for growth.
Financial experts generally recommend saving anywhere from $1 million to $2 million for retirement. If you consider an average retirement savings of $426,000 for those in the 65 to 74-year-old range, the numbers obviously don't match up.
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.
It's possible to roll 401(k) money into a CD without paying tax penalties but there are some guidelines for doing so. First, you'll need to make sure you're using the right type of CD. Specifically, that means an IRA CD. An IRA CD is a CD account that's funded through an IRA and enjoys its tax benefits.
Diversify Plan Investments
For example, you may choose to allocate more of your investments to mutual funds with stocks that rise with inflation. Short-term bonds can also be a safer bet when inflation is higher, since you're not locked in to lower rates for an extended period.
For workers and households, the picture was less rosy. Unemployment was at 5% at the end of 2007, reached a high of 10% in October 2009, and did not recover to 5% until 2015, nearly eight years after the beginning of the recession. Real median household income did not recover to pre-recession levels until 2016.
Stocks and bonds have relatively low transaction costs, allow you to diversify more easily and leave your cash more liquid than real estate (although the stock market is typically more volatile than the housing market). Meanwhile, real estate is a hedge against inflation and has tax advantages.
During a recession, it is wise not to invest in high-risk assets, such as small-cap stocks, cryptocurrencies, and overly leveraged companies. These assets are already volatile and risky during good times and will be more so during economic downturns.
Inflation Is Eating Away at Your Funds
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average rate of inflation from April 2023 to April 2024 was 3.4%. If you've been keeping your money in a savings account with a lower yield than the rate of inflation, you should switch over to a higher-yield account.
The Bottom Line
CDs are a comparatively safe investment. They can provide a stable income regardless of stock market conditions when they're managed properly. Always consider emergency money that you might need in the future when you're thinking of purchasing a CD or starting a CD ladder.
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.
If you're transitioning to a new job or heading into retirement, rolling over your 401(k) to a Roth IRA can help you continue to save for retirement while letting any earnings grow tax-free. You can roll Roth 401(k) contributions and earnings directly into a Roth IRA tax-free.
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.