Dividend reinvestment can be a lucrative option for retireesas long as they have other sources of short-term income. In fact, dividend reinvestment is one of the easiest ways to grow your portfolio, even after your earning years are behind you.
However, it isn't the best strategy for everyone. You'll want to carefully examine your current financial situation and future needs before choosing this investment option.
Key Takeaways
- Dividend reinvestment involves using dividends paid to purchase more shares instead of receiving it as cash.
- Automatic dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are a set-it-and-forget-it way to ensure your dividends keep growing your portfolio.
- For long-term investment accounts, like retirement plans, DRIPs are a smart way to keep your money growing over time.
- At retirement, it may be smart to turn those dividends back into cash flows that you can use to live off of.
How Dividend Reinvestment Works
Dividend reinvestment is the practice of using dividend distributions from stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs to purchase additional shares. While investing in dividend-bearing securities can be a good way to generate regular investment income each year, many people find that they are better served by reinvesting those funds into a growing portfolio rather than taking the cash.
"Investors should keep reinvesting their dividends after retirement since most dividend payments are not substantial enough to warrant any immediate use by the investor," saysMark Hebner, founder and president of Index Fund Advisors in Irvine, Calif.
If you receive $500 each year in dividends but earn $50,000, for example, those dividend earnings will not likely make a huge difference to your yearly income. If you consistently reinvest those dividends each year, however, you can grow your portfolio without sacrificing any additional income. Reinvesting dividends is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase your holdings over time.
There are two ways you can reinvest dividends: either by taking the cash andpurchasing additional shares through your broker or by using an automatic dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).
How DRIPsWork
Many brokers offer DRIPs that automatically allocate the dividends you receive to reinvestment. Your dividend distributions are used to purchase additional shares of the security –often at a discount.
Unlike purchasing additional shares in the traditional way, dividend reinvestment plans allow you to purchase partial or fractional shares if the amount of your dividend payment is not enough to purchase full shares.
If the current price of a given stock is $20, for example, a dividend payment of $30 would purchase 1.5 additional shares. If you reinvested manually, you would only be able to purchase one additional share and take the $10 in cash.
A few extra bucks in your pocket may seem like a good deal, but the buying power of $10 is unimpressive compared to the potential earnings generated by increasing your investment. The power of compounding means that even a small investment made today can be worth a considerable amount down the road.
Benefits of Dividend Reinvestment for Retirees
Dividend reinvestment can be a powerful tool for retirees. Retirees have spent years building their portfolios, so the amount of dividend income they receive each year can be considerable. By reinvesting those earnings even after retirement, you could continue to grow your investment so that it can provide even more income down the road when you may have exhausted other income streams.
"Historically, the total return of the S&P 500 has delivered just over nine percentper year. About half of that total return has come from price appreciation and half from dividends," Hebner explains.
What could your earnings be? "Based on historical estimates, somewhere around 4.5%per year for someone with a long time horizon," Hebner says.
If you have planned well for retirement, you may have savings squirreled away in several different accounts, between investment portfolios, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans. If so, you may find that you have enough saved to keep you comfortable without taking your dividend distributions as cash.
In addition, most retirement savings vehicles require that participants take a minimum distribution by a certain age. If you're required to withdraw from these accounts after retirement anyway, and the income from those sources is sufficient to fund your lifestyle, there is no reason not to reinvest your dividends. Earnings on investments held in Roth IRAsaccrue tax-free, making dividend reinvestment especially lucrative.
If you are lucky enough to be in this position, reinvesting dividends in tax-deferred retirement accounts and taxable investment accounts offers two major benefits. It can extend the period over which your retirement accounts will provide income, and it can also ensure that your taxable accounts provide a healthy source of funds once your retirement accounts are exhausted.
Shares purchased with reinvested dividends in a taxable account likely carry a different cost basis than original shares, since share prices change over time. Employing a professional tax accountant can help you avoid errors in calculating your taxable investment income at tax time.
When to Consider Pocketing Your Dividends
Many people don't have the kind of earnings history that enables aggressive investing. If you are not as well-prepared for retirement as you would like to be, reinvesting your dividends can certainly help you bulk up your portfolio during your working years. However, after retirement begins you may find that dividend distributions provide a much-needed income stream.
Another situation in which dividend reinvestment may not be the right choice is when the underlying asset is performing poorly. While all securities experience ups and downs, if your dividend-bearing asset is no longer providing value, it may be time to pocket your dividends and think about making a change. If the security value has stalled but the investment continues to pay regular dividends that provide much-needed income, consider keeping your existing holding and taking your dividends in cash. Over the long term, companies or funds that are unable to generate positive returns for extended periods are likely to reduce or suspend dividends.
Reinvesting dividends over the long term certainly helps grow your investment, but only in that one security. Over time, you may find that your portfolio is weighted too heavily in favor of your dividend-bearing assets, and it is lacking diversification. If you think it's time to rebalance your assets to hedge against potential losses, consider taking your dividends in cash and investing in other securities.
Careful portfolio management is not just for the young, even if you primarily invest in passively-managed securities. Keep a close eye on your dividend-bearing investments to assess which strategy is most beneficial. Reinvesting dividends in a failing security is never a smart move, and an unbalanced portfolio can end up costing you if your primary investment loses value.
Of course, your financial goals may change over time. While dividend reinvestment may be the right choice early in your retirement, it may become a less profitable strategy down the road if you incur increased medical expenses or begin to scrape the bottom of your savings accounts.
The Bottom Line
If you're lucky enough to have amassed a substantial amount of wealth, dividend reinvestment is almost always a good strategy if the underlying asset continues to perform well. If you play your cards right, you may even be able to leave a substantial nest egg behind for your family or other beneficiaries after your death.
Don't approach dividend reinvestment with a set-it-and-forget-it mentality. While DRIPs make reinvestment virtually effortless, continue to keep aneye on your investment to ensure that you're not automatically doubling down on a losing bet.
If you can afford it, consider enlisting the aid of a professional financial advisor. A trusted financial advisor can help ensure that your dividends are put to the best possible use, give you guidance regarding which investments are best suited to your individual goals and help you avoid common investment pitfalls, such as escheatment and improper asset allocation.
I'm an enthusiast deeply versed in the realm of personal finance, particularly dividend investing and retirement planning. I've actively followed market trends, financial strategies, and investment vehicles, and my insights are grounded in hands-on experience navigating the intricacies of wealth management.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the provided article:
Dividend Reinvestment (DRIP) Overview:
1. Definition: Dividend reinvestment involves using dividends earned from stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs to purchase additional shares instead of receiving the dividend as cash.
2. Purpose: The primary purpose is to grow your investment portfolio over time, leveraging the power of compounding.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs):
1. Definition: DRIPs are set-it-and-forget-it plans offered by many brokers. They automatically reinvest dividends into additional shares, often at a discount.
2. Benefits: DRIPs are a convenient and cost-effective way to increase holdings, especially suitable for long-term investment accounts like retirement plans.
Benefits of Dividend Reinvestment for Retirees:
1. Portfolio Growth: Reinvesting dividends after retirement can continue to grow your investment, providing more income for the future.
2. Historical Returns: Historical data suggests that the total return of the S&P 500 has been around 9% per year, with dividends contributing significantly.
3. Tax Considerations: Reinvesting dividends in tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as Roth IRAs, can be tax-efficient and extend income periods.
When to Consider Pocketing Dividends:
1. Retirement Income Needs: If your dividend income is substantial enough for your needs, it may make sense to take it in cash for living expenses.
2. Poor Asset Performance: If the underlying asset is underperforming, it might be wise to pocket dividends and reconsider the investment.
3. Diversification: Reinvesting dividends for too long may lead to an imbalanced portfolio, lacking diversification.
Portfolio Management:
1. Rebalancing: Regularly assess and rebalance your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
2. Professional Advice: Consider seeking advice from a professional financial advisor for optimal dividend utilization and portfolio management.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, dividend reinvestment is a powerful strategy, particularly for retirees with well-planned finances. However, it's crucial to adapt the approach based on changing financial goals and market conditions. Monitoring your investments and, when necessary, seeking professional guidance ensures a dynamic and sustainable wealth management strategy.
