Young Research & Publishing Inc.

Investment Research Since 1978

Disclosure

  • About Us
    • Contributors
    • Archives
    • The Final Richard C. Young’s Intelligence Report
    • You’ve Read The Last Issue of Intelligence Report, Now What?
    • Dick Young’s Research Key: Anecdotal Evidence Gathering
    • Crisis at Vanguard
  • Investment Analysis
    • Bonds
    • Currencies and Gold
    • Dividend Investing
    • ETFs & Funds
    • Investment Strategy
    • Retirement Investing
    • Stocks
    • The Efficient Frontier
  • Investment Counsel
  • Dynamic Maximizers®
  • Retirement Compounders®
  • Free Email Signup
  • Dick Young’s Safe America

Outliving Your Money

May 27, 2011 By E.J. Smith

Just over thirty years ago, the 3-Month Treasury-bill yielded 16.3% in the secondary market. At the beginning of this month, as you can see in the chart above, it yielded only 0.01%. That’s 1 basis point, or a difference of 16.29%. It can’t possibly go below zero. Though the yield is already negative when accounting for inflation, as investors line up to pay to lend the government money.

Investors are in a real predicament, especially those living on a fixed income. How many investors built their retirement savings plans using such low rates as inputs in their models? Not many to be sure. After all, when you use such low rates of expected return like those on the T-Bill, your computer model might spit out: “Keep on working” or “You better save a lot more.” Or you might be saying “Welcome to Wal-Mart,” during your “retirement.”

Retirees tend to spend way too much in the early years of retirement. This is anecdotal evidence, but I’ve seen it done over and over again. It’s party-time once the lock to the treasure chest is finally pried open. And, it’s a lot of money to have available at your fingertips. But it has to last you a long, long time.

With rates so low, and investors using expected returns that are far too optimistic, it’s crucial to be realistic. This is certainly not the time to be expecting anything great from the market. At the end of the day, the market doesn’t care if your retirement goals are met or not. And if you’re not prudent, you may outlive your money.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

You Might Also Like:

  • Merry Christmas from Young Research
  • Will You Run Out of Money in Retirement?
  • Can Money Buy Happiness?
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
E.J. Smith
E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zilldjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West and Paris.

Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@youngresearch.com
Latest posts by E.J. Smith (see all)
  • The Three Bubbles Threatening Your Portfolio Today - April 16, 2021
  • Crushing Words to Avoid: “We’re Disappointed in You” - April 15, 2021
  • Why Service Is King in 1(800)# Teenage Wasteland - April 14, 2021

Search Young Research

Most Popular

  • It’s as Simple as 4%? No, Not Anymore
  • Is Inflation Imminent? Prepare Now
  • Your Port Against a Storm.
  • Vanguard Wellesley (VWINX) vs. Wellington (VWELX): Which Fund is Best?
  • Long Live the Dividend King
  • Inflation? Yes.
  • Fidelity Investments #1: Hires 4,000 Focuses on YOU
  • Banks Prepare for Boom
  • The Highest Yielding Dow Stocks
  • Why Service Is King in 1(800)# Teenage Wasteland

Don’t Miss

Default Risk Among the Many Concerns with Annuities

Risk and Reward: An Efficient Frontier

How to be a Billionaire: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth

Could this Be the Vanguard GNMA Winning Edge?

Cryptocosm and Life After Google

Warning: Avoid Mutual Fund Year End Distributions

Is Gold a Good Long-term Investment?

How to Invest in Gold

Vanguard Wellington (VWELX): The Original Balanced Fund

What is the Best Gold ETF for Investing and Trading?

Procter & Gamble (PG) Stock: The Only True Dividend King

The Dividend King of the North

You’ll Love This if You’re Dreaming of an Active Retirement Life

RSS The Latest at Richardcyoung.com

  • The Vanguard Wellesley Way
  • Toilet Paper and SPAM: What More You Can Do?
  • Incentivizing People to Stay Home?
  • The Government Cannot Constitutionally Interfere With Gun Ownership
  • French Wine Weather Disaster Worse than 1991, 1997, 2003
  • Key West Breaking News from Dick Young
  • A Pitiful, Helpless Giant?
  • What Happens When Even Logic and Facts Can’t Persuade the Left?
  • Don’t Miss the Boat: Meet Your Money Stewards
  • Hit Piece on Gov. Ron DeSantis Is the End of 60 Minutes’ Credibility

About Us

  • About Young Research
  • Archives
  • Contributors

Our Partners

  • Richard C. Young & Co.
  • Richardcyoung.com

Copyright © 2021 | Terms & Conditions

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.