Will the Election Results Affect Your Portfolio?

Pet Insurance Showdown It's undeniable we're in the midst of a consequential election. But there's one place where the outcome on (or after) Nov. 3 might not have much sway at all: your portfolio. Financial advisors have reported fielding concerned calls from clients, wondering how the markets might fare depending on who wins. The answer might surprise you. Stocks will perform pretty much the same no matter who occupies the Oval Office, if history is any guide. Analyses in today's featured story show the data. Now, that's not to say we won't see short-term volatility, especially if we don't have a clear winner on election night. Markets hate uncertainty. But long-term, you're best off staying the course and not making any rushed changes in anticipation of a certain result on election night. Best wishes, Elizabeth P.S. If you got this newsletter from a friend, sign up here for email delivery to make sure you don't miss the next issue. To listen on podcast platforms or smart speakers, click here. TIMELY RETIREMENT NEWS, INSIGHTS, AND ADVICE Trump vs. Biden: How the 2020 Election Results Will Affect the Stock Market The answer might surprise you. College Costs Are Notoriously Opaque These tools can help families get a personalized sense of how much they'll pay before they apply. Cats vs. Dogs? When It Comes to Pet Insurance Premiums, There's a Clear Winner This furry friend is cheaper to insure. RETIRE WITH MONEY COMMUNITY INSIGHTS This week in our Retire with Money Facebook group, one member said he was five years into retirement and still had trouble spending his nest egg (fortunately, he didn't need to touch it much due to Social Security and a secure pension). "Anyone else having trouble breaking loose with the money?" he asked. This is a common issue — it's hard to flip the switch from saving to spending. One member didn't see it as a problem: "I agree with you, except I don't see it as 'trouble,'" he wrote, adding that he'd like to die with plenty left over. Others mentioned the need to save conservatively for potentially large long-term care costs at the end of life. But if the member wants to enjoy retirement more, and is afraid to touch money that might help him do that, I'd encourage him to see a financial advisor. A financial professional can run projections and give you permission to spend, if it's warranted. Just make sure your advisor is a fiduciary, meaning s/he is required to put your interests first. TACKLE FINANCIAL GOALS, EARN REWARDS AARP Rewards is AARP's free loyalty program that rewards you for tackling your financial goals. Earn points on activities from 401K calculators to super saver quizzes. Then, reward yourself with points-only deals, discounts and up to 12% off everyday essentials to help keep your budget in check. AARP Rewards is open to anyone. Get started saving today! Get Started RETIREMENT NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB These Are Your 2021 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits The IRS just announced the inflation adjustments to retirement account contributions. CNBC Make It 11 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Should Avoid Making Spouses shouldn't coordinate coverage, and other tips for navigating this open enrollment season. KIPLINGER What It Takes to Make Yourself 'Forever Employable' A new book tells workers how to shift from seeking opportunities to having opportunities seek you. NEXT AVENUE Why the U.S. Retirement System Needs Fixing The typical older worker's household had only $144,000 in its 401(k)s and IRAs combined, according to a Center for Retirement Research analysis. SQUARED AWAY BLOG Elizabeth O'Brien is deputy editor at Money. She has covered retirement and health care for nearly a decade. A Brooklyn resident and mom of two boys, she navigates the alphabet soup of Medicare and the New York City subway system with equal ease. You can email her at elizabeth.obrien@money.com and follow her on Twitter at @elizobrien. This newsletter is free because Money earns a commission when you click or make purchases from the links in this email and on our site. We also receive compensation for some of the products and services featured in this message. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Learn more about how we make money. Privacy Policy • Advertise With Us • We're Hiring! You can update your email preferences or unsubscribe by clicking here. Copyright ©2020 Ad Practitioners, LLC. All rights reserved. Metro Office Park Calle 1, Building 7 Suite 204, Guaynabo, 00968 Puerto Rico, USA