One More Thing to Consider in Retirement
Posted on Thursday, September 21st, 2017
One of the next big crisis’ in the United States is pension funding. If you think that this will not affect you think again. It will hit you right in your wallet when you can least afford it – in your retirement. As a good portion of my readers and clients are approaching retirement this probable pension crisis should factor into where you retire.
I have been reading John Mauldin’s Thoughts From the Frontline for over twenty years on the recommendation of Arthur Cashin. If you haven’t read John’s work here is a link to his website. It is sent to over 1 million readers a week. It is well worth your time. Here are the highlights from John’s latest letter in regards to the looming pension crisis.
Total unfunded liabilities in state and local pensions have roughly quintupled in the last decade.
According to a 2014 Pew study, only 15 states follow policies that have funded at least 100% of their pension needs.
The only way to bring it out of the spiral is with huge cuts to other needed services or with massive tax cuts to pension benefits.
But wait, it gets worse. The graph we showed earlier stated that unfunded pension liabilities for state and local governments was $2 trillion. But that assumes an average 7% compound return. What if we assume 4% compound returns? Now the admitted unfunded pension liability is $4 trillion. But what if we have a recession and the stock market goes down by the past average of more than 40%? Now you have an unfunded liability in the range of $7–8 trillion.
We throw the words a trillion dollars around, not realizing how much that actually is. Combined state and local revenues for the US total around $2.6 trillion.
This issue is going to set neighbor against neighbor and retirees against taxpayers. It will become one of the most heated battles of my lifetime. It will make the Trump-Clinton campaigns look like a school kids’ tiddlywinks smackdown.
http://www.mauldineconomics.com/frontlinethoughts/pension-storm-warning
The ten year Treasury hit 2.28% mid week and looks to be headed back to resistance at 2.5%. A decisive break through the 2.7-2.8% level could mean that rates are headed higher longer term breaking the 30 year down move. The punch through 2480 on the S&P 500 still has the bulls in control. The next target on the S&P 500 is 2540. The market is still firmly in an uptrend but there are signs that bulls may not be all that strong. Gallup poll has 68% of investors optimistic about the stock market over the next year. That matches the record high for that poll set in January of 2000. Investor sentiment is very high which is a contra indicator while valuations are in the 90th percentile historically. The animal spirits are unpredictable. Gotta be in it to win it but maybe just a little less in. Keep an eye on the 10 year and commodities.
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I think we aspire less to foresee the future and more to be a great contingency planner… you can respond very fast to what’s happening because you thought through all the possibilities, – Lloyd Blankfein
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Disclosure: This blog is informational and is not a recommendation to buy or sell anything. If you are thinking about investing consider the risk. Everyone’s financial situation is different. Consult your financial advisor.