Team up for retirement savings

It’s not unusual for couples to have varying interests. You and your spouse may like different television shows or enjoy various types of music and still be a happy couple. But where it is important to be on the same page is with your retirement savings.

Saving separately?

It’s possible you and your spouse have different potential sources of retirement income. Each of you may have an account with a current employer’s retirement plan. And there may be savings in a former employer’s retirement plan. You might also have separate individual retirement accounts and personal investments. One spouse may not even be aware of the investments of the other.

Different styles

When contributing to different retirement accounts, it’s important for each partner to understand the other’s investment style. For example, one of you may be a more aggressive investor while the other is more risk averse. Your investments together may end up being too conservative or aggressive for pursuing your combined retirement goal. That’s why it’s important to share information about your retirement accounts with your spouse and to coordinate your investment strategies.

Bringing it together

combined retirement assets are invested. Then you can decide with your financial professional on a suitable combined asset allocation* for your investments considering your goals and investing time frames.

Adjustments may be needed

Over time, your joint asset allocation may need rebalancing if it has shifted or if your or your spouse’s risk tolerance changes.** Throughout the process, coordination between you and your spouse can help better prepare you for investing for your retirement.

* Asset allocation won’t guarantee a profit or ensure against a loss but may help reduce volatility in your portfolio.
** Rebalancing a portfolio may create a taxable event if done outside a retirement account.

FINRA Reference FR2017-0620-0125/E RETIR