Ep # 113 - Guaranteed Income and Growth: Exploring Risk Wrap Retirement Strategies

Joe and Lindsay continue their exploration of the RISA. This week we examine the Risk Wrap quadrant, focusing on balancing growth potential with income protection in retirement. We explain how Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWB) work, allowing retirees to invest in the market with the security of a guaranteed income floor. Topics covered include variable annuities, investment strategies, and the pros and cons of GMWBs. Listeners can learn more about retirement income styles and access their personalized RISA assessment for better retirement planning.

What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode

 Risk Wrap Quadrant Overview: The Risk Wrap quadrant in the RISA framework balances growth potential from market investments with income protection, appealing to those who want market exposure but also value financial security.

 Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB): GMWBs allow retirees to invest in the market while ensuring a minimum guaranteed income, regardless of investment performance, offering both growth potential and income protection.

 GMWB Implementation: Retirees deposit money into a GMWB product through an insurance company, invest from a limited selection of options, and receive a guaranteed income for life based on their contributions and age when withdrawals start.

 Investment Flexibility and Bonuses: GMWBs can provide bonuses to the guaranteed income amount if no withdrawals are made, and market growth can increase future income, offering a way to boost retirement income over time.

 Pros and Cons of GMWBs: Pros include market exposure with a safety net, sequence of return risk mitigation, and the ability to leave excess funds to beneficiaries. Cons include high fees, product complexity, and restricted investment options.

 Ideas Worth Sharing

·       "You want to participate in market gains but have some safety nets in place to limit potential losses."

·       Guaranteed income with growth potential sounds great, but insurance companies are not in the business of losing money."

·       "You're still exposed to market gains, but if things go south, you have a guaranteed income floor to fall back on.”

·       "It's all about balancing risk and reward while ensuring peace of mind in retirement."

·       "If markets tank and your investments go to zero, you're still going to get that guaranteed payout for life."

Resources

Joe Curry

Take the RISA HERE – Take the Retirement Income Style Awareness - a 15-minute assessment designed to help you more clearly understand which retirement income strategies align most closely with your preferences. 

Ep # 106 – Understanding Your Retirement Income Personality for Success with Wade Pfau

Ep # 111 – Flexibility or Security: Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Total Return Retirement

Ep # 112 – Too Risk Averse for the Market? Explore Income Protection Instead

Ep # 15: Retirement Income Bucket Strategies

Ep # 6 – Retirement Risk # 1 – Sequence of Returns and Why the Game Changes in Retirement

Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) products – getsmartaboutmoney.ca

info@retirementplanningsimplified.ca

Understanding the Risk Wrap Quadrant: A Key Component of the RISA Framework

 The Risk Wrap Quadrant is an essential part of retirement income planning, especially for those who want to balance growth potential with some level of income protection. In this Q&A blog, we’ll explore the Risk Wrap Quadrant, how products like Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWBs) work, and the pros and cons of using such strategies. This blog will provide valuable insights for retirees or those nearing retirement who want to maximize their investment returns while ensuring a safety net for income.

What is the Risk Wrap Quadrant, and why is it important?

 The Risk Wrap Quadrant is one of the four quadrants in the RISA (Retirement Income Style Awareness) framework, which helps retirees define their preferences for managing retirement income. It specifically appeals to individuals who want to participate in market growth but also desire some form of income protection.

 This quadrant seeks to balance total return investing (stocks and bonds) and income protection, giving retirees the best of both worlds. The idea is that retirees want the potential for portfolio growth through market investments but are unwilling to take on full market risk. To mitigate losses, they seek insurance-based solutions like Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWBs) that offer safety nets.

 What is a Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB)?

 Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) is an insurance product designed to provide retirees with market participation while guaranteeing a minimum income level. If your investments underperform, a GMWB ensures you still receive a certain income level, making it a popular choice for those in the Risk Wrap Quadrant.

 Here’s how it works:

 1. Investment: You transfer your funds into the GMWB product, similar to investing in any other financial asset. You may add lump sums or regular contributions leading up to retirement.

 2. Market Growth & Protection: The product allows you to invest in the market (within certain limits), and your retirement income will grow if your investments perform well. However, your income will not fall below the guaranteed level if the market underperforms.

 3. Guaranteed Income: As long as you adhere to the terms (such as withdrawing only the guaranteed percentage), you receive a guaranteed lifetime income, no matter how your investments perform.

This hybrid product provides the growth potential of traditional market investments while offering downside protection, ensuring you will have income in retirement.

 How does the GMWB increase your guaranteed income over time?

 The GMWB offers two primary ways to increase your guaranteed income:

 1. Bonuses: If you don’t withdraw money from the GMWB within a specified time frame, the insurance company often rewards you with a bonus, which increases the base amount used to calculate your guaranteed income. For example, if you invest $100,000, and the insurer provides a 5% bonus each year you don't make a withdrawal, your future income would be calculated on $105,000 after the first year, and this amount can continue to grow with more bonuses.

 2. Market Performance: If your GMWB investments perform better than the bonus rate, your guaranteed income can increase based on this growth. For instance, if the market pushes your portfolio value from $100,000 to $125,000, the insurer will lock in this higher value after a review period, further boosting your guaranteed future income.

 Who typically benefits from using the Risk Wrap Quadrant?

 The Risk Wrap Quadrant is ideal for retirees or near-retirees who want to balance risk and protection. If you understand the potential upside of investing in stocks and bonds but are uncomfortable relying solely on market performance to secure your essential retirement income, the Risk Wrap approach may be for you.

 People who fit into this quadrant typically:

 - Value market growth but want to limit their exposure to significant losses.

- Desire guaranteed income to cover basic retirement expenses.

- Want flexibility, allowing them to tap into market gains or withdraw additional funds in an emergency, while still benefiting from a minimum income level.

- Appreciate legacy planning, as GMWBs often allow beneficiaries to receive any remaining market value upon the retiree’s death.

 What are the pros and cons of using a GMWB strategy?

 Pros:

- Growth Potential with a Safety Net: You benefit from market gains while having a guaranteed income floor to protect against downside risk.

- Mitigates Sequence of Return Risk: GMWBs help reduce the impact of poor market performance early in retirement, which can devastate a portfolio.

- Legacy Benefits: Unlike traditional annuities, your beneficiaries may receive the remaining balance if there’s still market value in your GMWB investment upon death.

- Peace of Mind: Having a guaranteed income allows retirees to feel more secure about covering essential expenses in retirement.

 Cons:

- Complexity: GMWBs can be complicated financial products. Understanding the different nuances of contracts, investment restrictions, and fees is essential.

- Higher Costs: The guarantee comes with a price—GMWBs typically have higher fees than traditional market portfolios. You may face **withdrawal penalties** if you exceed the guaranteed withdrawal amount.

- Investment Restrictions: Insurance companies often limit your investment choices, which may prevent you from using **low-cost, evidence-based portfolios**.

Q: Where can I learn more about retirement planning and GMWBs?

 If you want to learn more about GMWBs, the Risk Wrap Quadrant, or other retirement income strategies, we recommend exploring additional resources on the Retirement Planning Simplified website. You can also listen to the podcast episode that dives deep into the RISA framework and GMWBs, offering valuable insights to help you build a sustainable, flexible, and secure retirement plan.

Conclusion

 The Risk Wrap Quadrant uniquely balances market growth potential with guaranteed income protection, making it an attractive option for many retirees. If you’re looking for a strategy that provides both investment upside and downside protection, products like Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits (GMWBs) may be worth exploring. However, be mindful of the complexity and costs associated with these financial tools and consult a financial advisor to ensure they align with your long-term retirement goals.

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Ep # 19 - Gaining Clarity: Why Retirees Switch Financial Advisors

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Ep # 112 - Too Risk Averse for the Market? Explore Income Protection Instead