Stocks may be the investment that will make you rich. But once you've saved up a decent nest egg, you'll need other investments to help you stay rich. With so many people scared of what the future of the financial markets will bring, picking the right fixed-income investments to counterbalance some of the risk of stocks is more important than ever.
The other side of the coin
In my column earlier this week, I talked about stocks that could help you build your life savings enough to have a great retirement. Although the lackluster stock market of recent years may have convinced you otherwise, the right stocks can grow at an extraordinary clip over long periods of time, turning even modest savings into small fortunes.
But as everyone learned during the bear market of 2008, stocks are risky. After watching the S&P 500 lose more than 50% in a year and a half, those who don't have the stomach for huge amounts of risk now value the security that fixed-income investments like bonds can bring. While stocks were falling 37% in 2008, Treasury bonds advanced sharply -- sharply enough that more conservative investors saw little or no damage to their portfolios during the market meltdown.
Bonds can be just as risky, though. With rates on Treasury bonds at extremely low levels, the odds of an interest rate rise that would decrease the prinicpal value of outstanding bonds are fairly high. In addition, default risk is present with most types of bonds. That makes it necessary to protect yourself by owning different types of fixed-income investments. Here's a brief overview of what a diversified bond investor should own.
1. Treasuries or bank CDs
Even though some believe Treasuries are in a bubble right now, it still makes sense to own some of them. The fact that Treasuries are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government means that default risk is effectively nil. Similarly, FDIC-insured bank CDs have the same government backstop. Even if a bank fails, the government will step in and make you whole for deposits you have there, as long as they're within FDIC limits.
When buying Treasuries, you have two main choices. Buying bonds directly from the Treasury is possible through the TreasuryDirect website, which allows you to place bids and pay for bonds via electronic funds transfer from your bank account. Alternatively, you can find ETFs and mutual funds that specialize in Treasuries. Among them, iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury
In many cases, though, you'll find better rates through banks right now than with Treasuries. Treasuries are free of state income tax, though, so be sure to take that into account.
2. Corporate bonds
To earn higher yields than what ultra-safe Treasuries can provide, corporate bonds are a smart place to look. With bonds issued by companies, there's a higher risk of default, but the higher yield compensates you for that risk.
With the help of certain discount brokers, you can buy individual company bonds. They run the gamut from top AAA-rated issuers like ADP
Alternatively, the ETFs iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond
3. Municipal bonds
Finally, municipal bonds protect you against tax risk. While most bonds have their interest payments taxed at your high ordinary income rate, munis are free of federal tax. They pay lower yields, but on an after-tax basis, they often pay you more than traditional bonds.
Individual muni bonds can be tough to buy due to illiquidity and high minimum purchase amounts. But muni ETFs such as iShares S&P National Muni Bond
Protect your portfolio
With promising stocks among your investments, you may be tempted to put all your money in them. But by incorporating a solid core of fixed-income investments, you won't have to worry so much about how to weather inevitable storms in the stock market when they come. That will make the path to retirement much smoother.
Tune in every Monday and Wednesday for Dan's columns on retirement, investing, and personal finance.
