It has been well over a year since the worst crisis in decades rocked Wall Street, sending nearly every class of financial asset -- from stocks to bonds to real estate -- into a tailspin. Markets have managed to claw back from some of those substantial losses, but nearly everyone is still feeling poorer than just a few years ago.
So where do average investors stand today when it comes to regaining all that lost investment, especially the millions of Americans nearing retirement age? In many cases, they're still digging out.
What we've lost
No doubt about it: Most older Americans are struggling to recover from their investment losses. The question is how long it will take for portfolios to rebound. Jack VanDerhei, the research director of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, took a look at battered 401k plans and estimated what it might take to return to pre-crisis account balances.First, some facts about the damage done: VanDerhei says the median decline for 401k plans that posted losses between Jan. 1, 2008, and early August 2009 for investors ages 45 to 64 was 19.6%, or a median loss of $12,386. Losses in retirement plans were less horrific than the broader equity market because most 401k accounts have some allocations to bonds. But the pain was generally worse for older workers, who have larger retirement savings. For them, the dollar loss was bigger, even with more conservative allocations.
So, how long do older workers need to wait to see a full recovery in their 401k's? That depends on two major factors: how much they can save and how quickly markets grow. The key will be savings.
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How contributions help
Let's look at an example of how bigger contributions can help. If, at the start of 2008, Susie Smith had $100,000 in retirement savings, as of Aug. 6, the value of her retirement account would have fallen to $80,400. If she contributes 5% of her account value annually, or $4,020 per year, it will take her one year and nine months to return to 2008 levels, assuming an 8% return, VanDerhei estimates. If she contributes 10% -- or $8,040 -- her account will recover in one year and four months, he says.Let's take a look at the role of returns. Eight percent a year is an above-average gain for many portfolios, so what happens if long-term economic damage caused by the recession conspires to keep markets rising at a slower-than-normal pace -- say, 4% a year? Then, an employee with 20 years at a company contributing 10% of his or her account balance each year would still be able to recover in just over a year and a half. An 8% return cuts the recovery time to a year and a month.
Video: Will older workers have the money to retire?
Still, just getting back to 2008 levels is cold comfort for many retirees also facing an uncertain economy, especially if an unforeseen event like a spouse's job loss threatens savings habits. But it's important to resist tempting options like reducing retirement contributions. In fact, that may be the worst possible decision.
A halt in new contributions to an existing 401k right now for workers with 20 years at their employer pushes the recovery time to two years and 10 months at an 8% return. If the market slows to a 4% return, getting back to 2008 levels could take a painful five years and nine months, VanDerhei says. That's a lot of time, especially for people who have only a handful of years left before retirement.
Luckily, few investors have stopped contributing altogether, though many are putting in less after employers pulled back on matching employee contributions.
Continued: Reconsidering a safe retirement plan
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