How Much Risk Can You Take

How Much Risk Can You Take

Whether your dream is to climb Mount Everest or sail the Caribbean in a pontoon boat, the amount of risk you feel comfortable with is different for everyone. That applies to investment risk, too. But how can you find your comfort level?

Your Risk Tolerance

Risk refers to market conditions that can negatively affect returns. Risk tolerance is your ability to accept the possibility of investment losses. Taking greater risk with your investments offers the potential for higher returns, but it also exposes your portfolio to substantial losses if the markets take a downturn. However, not taking enough risk can prevent you from earning returns that will help you reach your goals.

Types of Investors

Investors generally fall into three categories based on their tolerance for investment risk.

Aggressive investors are willing to accept more risk of investment losses in exchange for the potential for earning higher returns. Their portfolio typically holds equities and commodities, with little or no exposure to bonds or stable value investments.

Moderate investors are willing to accept periods of market volatility in exchange for the possibility of earning returns over time that significantly outpace inflation. Their portfolios typically consist of a mix of equities and income-producing investments, such as bonds.

Conservative investors accept little or no volatility with their investments. They seek income and capital preservation. Their portfolios hold investments that are highly liquid (i.e., can easily be turned into cash), such as certificates of deposit, money market accounts and U.S. treasuries.

Your Time Frame

Risk tolerance can change based on your age, goals and time horizon. Investors in their 20s, 30s and 40s generally can take more risk with their investments because they have many years before they’ll need their savings. As you get closer to retirement, you may want to shift some higher risk investments into less volatile, income-producing assets. Keep in mind, though, that keeping a portion of your portfolio in equity investments can provide a hedge against inflation.

Your financial professional can help you design a portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.

What Do Business Owners Really Need? - Invest in Health Insurance

Business owners whose income comes solely from their business will have to purchase their own health insurance. Fortunately, business owners are allowed a tax deduction on their premiums. Consider a high deductible health plan (HDHP), which generally has lower premiums than other plan types, although you may pay more out of pocket for services. By opening a health savings account (HSA), you’ll be able to make tax-free contributions and withdrawals to help pay these expenses.

Protect Your Family

Proceeds from a life insurance policy can help your loved ones maintain their standard of living if you die unexpectedly. Term insurance provides coverage for a specified time, typically between 15 and 30 years. Generally, you’ll want to purchase a policy with a death benefit equal to 10 -12 times your annual income.

Protect Your Business

As a business owner, you want to be protected from risks to your business and your income from injuries, lawsuits, and property damage. Business Owners Policy (BOP) insurance bundles several types of coverage in a single policy. Designed for small and mid-size businesses, BOP combines protection for all major property and liability risks. It typically has three components: liability protects against claims and lawsuits for damages that occur during normal business operations; property covers damage from fire, explosion, theft, vandalism, etc.; and business interruption covers loss of income from a disaster that disrupts business operations and any expenses associated with operating from a temporary location.

Protect Your Income

What would happen to your family if you were unable to work for a long period of time? A long-term disability policy replaces a portion of your income if you become sick or injured.

Your life and property/casualty insurance professionals can help you choose coverage to protect your family and your business.

*“Entrepreneurship in 2024” Report. Intuit QuickBooks, December 2023