Retirement Income Blog

Want to play the stock market without risk?  FDIC insurance will help you do that.

The FDIC insures the “index-linked” CDs offered by some banks. These CDs pay interest based upon the overall performance of a stock market index, and your principal deposit is FDIC insured up to current limits (generally $100,000 and $250,000 for retirement accounts). Here’s an example of how one of these CDs works. Please note, however, that the various features of these CDs vary from bank to bank (e.g., maturity, interest rate determination, withdrawal penalties).

Here’s a hypothetical example. You make a deposit, say $10,000. The FDIC insured CD has a 3.75 year maturity, non-callable. At the end of 3.75 years, you would receive your deposit back plus interest based upon the movement of a pre-selected stock market index, such as the S&P 500.(1) Let’s assume that the S&P 500 index increases 3% per calendar quarter over the next 3.75 years. In this hypothetical example, you would receive $12,271.  That’s equal to a 5.6% annual return.  Had you invested in the S&P 500 index, you would have received 12% annually, plus dividends. But with the CD, even if the market drops, you still have your original $10,000 FDIC insured.

The attractive feature of such CDs is that you could earn a higher amount of interest than the fixed rates offered by most banks. However, you could earn zero if the stock market falls during the term of the CD. Your full deposit is always returned to you at maturity no matter what occurs in the stock market due to the FDIC insurance. Index-linked CDs are subject to early withdrawal penalties, and an investor is not guaranteed to receive 100% of his or her principal investment if funds are withdrawn prior to maturity. Also, an investor’s right of early withdrawal can be limited to certain dates.

Note that some varieties have a “cap” limiting the gain. For example, a 100% cap would mean that a $10,000 CD would not provide more than $20,000 no matter how large the gain in the stock market index. Others may have a call feature allowing the issuing bank to redeem the CD before maturity at pre-stated prices.
Yet others may have a “participation rate” where you partially participate in the index gain. For example, if the stock index rises by 100% and your participation rate is 50%, you enjoy only half of the market gain. All of these features are included in the descriptive materials. So read and understand them carefully before you invest.  If consfused, take the description ot an accountant or financial planner for interpretation.

If you think that the stock market performs well over the long term, index-linked CDs could interest you. It’s an opportunity to participate in potential market gains and to protect your principal from market losses. But some people may still opt for the traditional CD with its fixed payment of 3 to 5 % (Bankrate.com’s national average rate for five year CD was 3.39% as of 2/04/08).

If today’s CD rates leave you yearning for a higher return with safety, FDIC insured index-linked CDs could be for you.

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Callable CDs

“Callable CDs” are a variety of CDs that often pay more than regular (non-callable) CDs. These CDs come with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance (FDIC), full principal repayment at maturity and above-average yields.  These insured CDs appeal to safety-conscious retirees looking for income.

Although FDIC insured, that does not mean they are not without risk. These FDIC insured CDs have features you must understand. Before you jump at the rate offered by some ad in the Sunday newspaper, here’s what you need to know about the features offered:

High Rate
The higher rate could be temporary. Some callable CDs are callable after a year or two, which means you can get paid off and your high rate stops. Although your principal may still be insured by the FDIC, you may be required to find another place to invest your money which could subject your investment to interest rate risk (i.e having to accept a lower rate than you were earning). Although the bank could have the option to pay you back after one or two years, you do not have the same flexibility.  If you want to terminate your deposit, it could cost you as described below.

Banks offer FDIC insured callable CDs to shift interest rate risk to the depositor. Because the depositor is taking on this interest rate risk, a callable CD will have a higher yield than the same maturity CD without a call provision. The additional yield is partial compensation for the depositor accepting the interest rate risk. Callable CDs typically have terms of 10 or 20 years. Therefore, these CDs are typically suitable for someone who does not need liquidity and wants higher returns than a non-callable CD and the safety afforded by the FDIC protection. Consider that earning more on your money could reduce the need for you to tap into your principal investments. If you buy such higher-paying CDs, it might be wise to keep other money for liquidity available in a money market account or bank account.

Although money market accounts are typically considered to be safer than many equity investments, money-market shares are redeemable at net asset value, which may be more or less than original cost. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although money market funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in such a fund.

These callable CDs are suitable for:
• People who want to protect their “core” principal that they never want to spend
• People who want to leave money for heirs
• People who need to safely maximize income
• People who have adequate liquid resources

Take these precautions:
Some retirement planner may tell you that you can sell these CDs at any time. It is true that most banks will buy back the CD from you but it could be at a steep discount. The ONLY way to be sure to get all of our pricnciapl back is to hold the CD to maturity (could be 10+ years) or until called by the bank. With respect to principal repayment, the bank’s obligation is to pay you back at maturity.

You may be told that if you pass away before the CD matures, your heirs can “put” the CD back to the bank and get the principal. This offer however is dependent upon the bank having enough funds in the “put” pool. Your heirs will have priority but could wait to see cash, months if not years.

To find callabale CDs at 6%, just do a Google search on “callable CDs” and you will encounter many offerings.  This site does not require any login http://www.bergencapital.com/clientservices/inventory/cd_inventory_new_issue.htm

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If you’re 5 years from retirement you may be offered an early retirement plan – i.e. an offer of money in return for retiring at an earlier time than you had planned. What should you consider before choosing to accept any particular early retirement plan?  First, you want to make create a retirement plan–start with the retirement planning calculator.

You must look at your financial situation, your family’s needs, and whether or not you have enough money to finance your lifestyle for the next several years (or are readily employable).

The issues of concern are:
• Evaluating your early retirement plan and stock option issues
• Maintaining insurance for health, life and disability (including long term care)
• Generating income for the duration of your retirement years

Let’s look at each issue.

The early retirement plan and stock options
Your company’s plan administrator must provide a written explanation of your options 30 to 90 days before the final date on which you must take action. Make it clear when you can start receiving plan benefits, what form they take, and what are the consequences of beginning early retirement benefits early.  The tax impact of your alternatives must also be disclosed.  With your early retirement plan in hand, head to your accountant or retirement financial planner.  

Health insurance
Find out if your employer, as part of your early retirement plan, offers any permanent health insurance for your retirement years. If so, how much does it cost? Employer-provided coverage may end on the day you’re laid off or soon after. But, by U.S. law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows you to continue your current coverage, including qualified physician, hospital, dental, vision and other medical expenses, at group rates plus a small administration fee. You have a limited time to elect COBRA coverage before it lapses.  Note that Cobra is not a permanent option as it could be much more expensive than what you had been paying as your ex-employer will not subsidize any part of the premium.

Life/disability/long term care insurance
Is it part of your early retirement plan? Other than health insurance, no other types of insurance are provided for under COBRA. But your ex-employer may pay it for a month or more as part of your severance pay and benefits, and then offer a continuance option. It usually isn’t cheap either; and you may be able to find a better deal. Alternative, you may be able to negotiate for longer coverage as part of the total early retirement plan. But as with health insurance, new private plans may not cover you for previous or existing conditions. Investigate them thoroughly, before you decline your ex-employer’s plan.  Consulting an insurance specialist is a good idea.

Income
How much income do you need?  (Use the retirement income calculator). How will you generate income?  Will you qualify for unemployment benefits – and if so, how long will you need to wait before qualifying? Determine other options to work for the duration of the time you expected to work.  In fact, because you are usually given some time to elect or negotiate an early retirement plan, you should be able to take interviews and possibly secure other employment before you job ends.  or, this may be ther opportunity to start your own business.  Your early retirement plan may have some silver linings.

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