Skip to main content
Boston Employee homeNews home
Story

5 Smart Ways Retirees Can Prepare for a Recession

Talks of recession stoke fear in many retirees. They may be on a fixed income or nervous that an economic downturn could significantly impact their retirement plans.

Read More: The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing

Try This: 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines

Current headlines reveal a growing concern that a recession is near. J.P. Morgan recently noted the probability of a recession in 2025 is 60%. Similarly, a new Ipsos poll revealed 61% of Americans believe an economic slump will occur in 2025.

There’s still time to prepare, though. Here are five ways retirees can recession-proof their finances to weather a potential storm.

It’s vital to have cash on hand during a recession. This is especially so for seniors concerned about facing unexpected expenses or increased healthcare costs. Bolstering cash reserves can potentially keep retirees from having to sell stocks during a recession to access funds.

Many experts, like those at AARP, recommend having an emergency savings of at least six to nine months of living expenses. Concerned retirees may want to increase that to at least 12 months or more to provide enough protection. It’s best to put the funds in a high-yield savings account to maximize interest.

Find Out: How Long $2 Million in Retirement Will Last in Every State

It’s easy to read the headlines about the stock market and feel it’s necessary to sell your holdings. While a natural reaction, the knee-jerk action can betray years of planning. Selling on bad days commonly only locks in losses.

Instead of rushing to judgment, now is the time to consult with your financial advisor to identify if any tweaks are necessary to your portfolio. Some changes may be needed, but perform due diligence to not harm your overall portfolio. It’s scary to see down days, but it’s important to remember the stock market has a long history of recovery from a bear market.

Regularly reviewing a budget is typically a good thing. For retirees concerned about a potential recession, it’s important to review spending. There’s no telling how long a pullback will last, so freeing up additional funds can assist in growing cash reserves.

This doesn’t mean it’s necessary to cancel a planned vacation, but identify non-essential expenses you can curb to claw back some money. Perhaps it’s canceling a streaming service or reducing meals out by a small percentage. Cuts don’t always need to be permanent, but even temporary reductions can boost savings.

Part-time work may be the last thing many retirees want to consider. However, the right job provides an additional income stream and fortifies savings.