Investment of any nature and for any goal is always a good idea, apart from saving for your retirement. The rising rate of inflation coupled with reduced pension plans demonstrate the need for retirement-focused investments, which will not just deliver value over an extended period of time.

That being said, not all assets are capable of delivering high returns at low risk and have their own set of importance to investor portfolios.

• Cash-balance plans

Similar to pensions, a cash-balance plan offers a fixed amount of return at the time of retirement. However, unlike pensions, every employee has a cash-balance account where the lump sum amount is mentioned. Employers credit this account with a set percentage of the employee’s yearly compensation plus interest charges.

Pros: A defined-benefit is a major attraction of cash-balance plans. Additionally, you don’t have to pay a single penny for it and yet it offers a tremendous certainty of retirement funds. In case of a job switch, these accounts can be transferred to your new job.

Cons: Should you choose to retire early, the plan wouldn’t benefit much. Moreover, older employees stand to lose if the employer switches from pensions to cash-balance plans.

• Retirement annuities

Retirement annuities are contractual insurance-like agreements between you and the insurance company. Similar to various types of insurance, you pay a specified premium monthly or a lump-sum amount to the insurer for a specified period of time. In return, you get monthly, semi-annual, or annual income from the insurance company after retirement.

Pros: The biggest advantage of annuities is the promise of a guaranteed stream of income until you live. Annuities are also tax-deferred, which gives you control over when you pay your taxes. Fixed retirement annuity, meanwhile, even promises a certain rate of return.

Cons: Annuities demand hefty fees, which are mostly paid to agents. A way to get around it is to buy it directly from the insurer. Lack of liquidity, higher tax rates, and its complexity are some of the other drawbacks of this asset.

• Balanced funds

Balanced funds are a good choice for investors nearing retirement. Here, your money is invested across a range of stocks and bonds. Primarily, 60% of your money is invested in stocks, and the remaining 40% in bonds. These funds are different from target-date funds, which are designed for individuals looking to retire at a specific time.

Pros: The biggest advantage of balanced funds is its diversification. Money is allocated in both stocks and bonds simultaneously, unlike investing individually in both which can prove challenging. Also, a mutual fund management team provides continued assistance and guidance, which is highly important for maximizing returns.

Cons: Fees can sometimes be higher in balanced funds and investors themselves have little say in the allocation of funds in different assets.