It’s the second month of a new year, which means it’s time for everyone to make predictions about what’s in store over the next 10 months. Clearly, it’s impossible to predict the future. However, that doesn’t stop analysts and so-called experts from making their best guess.

That’s just a small selection of “expert” predictions. As you can see, they’re all over the map. What do you do with such conflicting information? How do you prepare for the future if you don’t know what the future will be?
 
The simple answer is you don’t. You can’t base your strategy or your decisions off short-term predictions because many of those predictions will prove to be incorrect. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan either. It’s always wise to reassess your strategy and make changes as needed. Below are some tips on how to do that in 2020:

It’s natural to feel anxious because of negative predictions or volatile financial news. However, it’s always important to remember that downturns are temporary.
 
There are two types of market downturns: a correction and a bear market. Corrections are downturns with losses of 10% or more. Bear markets are downturns with losses of 20% or more.
 
The average correction has a loss of 13% and lasts only 4 months. On average the market recovers from a correction after 4 months. Bear markets generally last longer and have steeper declines. They have an average loss of 30% and last for 13.2 months. However, the market usually does recover, and does so on average in about 22 months.5
 
We can’t predict when a bear market will begin or end. That also means we can’t predict when the recovery from a bear market will start. If you take impulsive action because there’s a prediction that the market may trend down, you could miss the bear market, but also the recovery. Or the prediction could be wrong, and you could miss out on continued growth. Instead, focus on the long-term and avoid emotional decisions based on short-term predictions.

If you’re like many people nearing retirement, you’re not as comfortable with risk as you once were. Many people become more risk-averse as they approach retirement. After all, you don’t have as much time as you once did to recover from a market loss.
 
While no one can predict when a downturn may occur, you can take steps to make your strategy aligned with your more conservative risk tolerance. For example, you could shift your strategy to more conservative assets that have less exposure to risk and volatility. You could also utilize retirement income vehicles that offer growth potential without the chance of downside loss. A financial professional can help you identify strategies that can reduce your risk exposure.

Are you approaching retirement? If so, you could take steps today to protect your income from short-term volatility and market downturns. One way to do this is by creating guaranteed* income from your retirement savings. There is an insurance product available that you can use to convert a portion of your retirement savings into income that is guaranteed* for life, regardless of what happens in the market or how long you live.