Helpful Strategies for
Retirement Planning

As you save for retirement, it’s common to ask: Do I have the right mix of investments? How do I know if I am being too risky or too conservative? Am I maximizing my investments?

Finding the answers for your financial questions starts with framing them around a strategy known as diversification, or asset allocation. You can use this strategy to help reduce risk in your workplace retirement account.

What is diversification?
Fundamentally, diversification means spreading your investment dollars across various asset classes—so your exposure to a single area of the market is limited.^1,2 Think of the common saying: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” When you diversify those assets among different broad categories of investments or asset classes, such as stocks, bonds and cash, that is asset allocation.³

Why diversify?
The stock market historically has highs and lows. So, when the stock market experiences volatility, having a diversified mix of investments can help you weather these rapid fluctuations in stock prices.⁴

Identifying the right asset allocation
Not sure what the right mix of investments is for you? Take Mutual of America’s Investment Questionnaire to help you determine a potential mix of investments* that align with personal factors. Such factors can include how old you are, how many years you expect to work until retirement and your comfort level with risk.⁵

Reviewing and rebalancing your allocations
If you’ve already created a diversified portfolio, you’re off to a great start! It’s a good idea to review your plan once a year to make sure your asset allocation continues to accurately support your financial goals. It may be necessary to rebalance to help ensure your investments align with your long-term retirement savings strategy.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about your retirement savings options, please reach out to your Mutual of America representative.

Diversification does not guarantee returns or eliminate the risk of loss.

*These are only examples and are not specific recommendations.

¹https://financialresourcecenter.mutualofamerica.com/articles/investing-101-what-you-need-to-know/

²https://www.mutualofamerica.com/insights-and-tools/glossary/?newLetter=D

³https://www.mutualofamerica.com/insights-and-tools/glossary/?newLetter=A

⁴https://www.mutualofamerica.com/insights-and-tools/resource-center/market-volatility-and-your-retirement-account/

⁵https://www.mutualofamerica.com/insights-and-tools/resource-center/where-do-you-stand-on-saving-for-retirement/