Principal Protection: Exploring Alternatives Beyond Traditional Investments

Financial security in retirement is essential, especially in times of economic uncertainty and market volatility. That’s where principal protection comes in — it’s a financial and investment strategy that aims to protect the initial capital or savings of individuals in or near retirement.

This strategy can reduce the risk of losing hard-earned money while providing security. Principal protection is especially helpful for seniors with a lower risk tolerance and those who rely on their savings to cover living expenses and health care costs in retirement.

In this guide, learn more about what principal protection is and the benefits, as well as considerations and risks associated with these types of investments.

PPIs guarantee you get your initial investment back. If the underlying assets perform poorly or decline in value within the market, investors are guaranteed to receive their original investment back at maturity. They also must be held until maturity to guarantee this return — PPIs typically mature within one to seven years.

PPIs offer more protection, less risk and lower returns than traditional investments like stocks and mutual funds. The value of traditional investments can fluctuate and are volatile, which can result in losses if the market performs poorly.

There are two main types of PPIs: principal-protected notes and structured notes. These investments are designed to protect the original investment amount while offering some level of income or growth.

Principal-protected notes are structured notes with fixed-income securities that are guaranteed to return the original investment amount regardless of how the market performs. PPNs can also be called:

PPNs are comprised of two components: a derivative and a bond. The bond component promises the return of the initial investment at maturity, and the derivative component gives exposure to the asset, like commodities and stocks.

There are also several types of PPNs:

Similar to PPNs, structured notes consist of a fixed-income component and a derivative component linked to an underlying asset or index. The fixed-income portion provides principal protection, while the derivative component can generate returns based on market performance. It’s important to note that not all structured notes carry a principal guarantee like PPNs do.

Beyond preserving capital, principal protection offers several attractive benefits to investors.

Many retirees rely on their savings and investments to generate income during retirement. Principal-protected investments, such as bonds or annuities, offer predictable income streams, helping seniors cover daily living expenses, medical costs and other necessities.

Principal-protected investments often allow for diversification, which is essential for managing risk. Seniors can allocate their funds across various asset classes while maintaining a level of principal protection.

Seniors can benefit from the peace of mind and sense of financial security that principal protection offers. Anxiety surrounding their financial future is reduced, and they are better able to enjoy retirement knowing that some or all of their initial investment capital is protected.

Although principal protection safeguards your investments, it’s not completely risk-free. Below are some considerations and risks associated with PPIs:

There are also interest rate risks with principal-protected investments. When you invest in a principal-protected note, your returns are often linked to a predetermined interest rate or benchmark. If prevailing interest rates rise significantly during the investment period, you may miss out on potentially higher returns available in the market.

Unlike publicly traded stocks or bonds, PPIs are typically less liquid in secondary markets. This means that if you want to sell your PPI before maturity, you may find it challenging to find a buyer, and you might have to sell it at a discount.

Fees are also often involved with early liquidation before maturity, and there is no principal return guarantee.

The fee risks associated with principal protection investments can vary depending on the specific type of investment and the financial product you choose. Some common fee risks include:

Protected principal depends on the issuer’s creditworthiness. For example, if the issuing business goes bankrupt, you may not get your principal investment back.

Principal protection investments can be a valuable tool in creating a secure and balanced financial strategy, particularly for seniors who prioritize capital preservation during their retirement years. By understanding the risks, rewards and suitability of these investments, you can make well-informed choices that align with your unique financial goals and needs.

To help you better prepare for retirement and ensure your investments are in order, consult with a retirement financial advisor today.