Hi, Everyone:
I am 68 years old, newly retired, and nervous about investing in retirement.
My wife (67 years old/retired) and I have rolled-over our employer 401k accounts into Fidelity IRAs. In those accounts, we have greater than $1,000,000. We are both receiving Social Security (full benefits) and employer pensions,
which is more than enough to cover our day-to-day expenses. We both have Medicare Part A/B, and are both covered under my previous employer's supplemental health insurance.
Over time, we have become conservative investors with our cash holdings, and simply can't justify paying an investment advisor thousands and thousands of dollars each year to suggest a diversified retirement portfolio - something we can do ourselves.
So, now, my questions:
I am a strong believer in 2- or 3-fund investment portfolios (easy to manage/rebalance; diversified; no advisor management fees). What is preferred, a 2-fund or 3-fund investment portfolio?
What is preferred, a portfolio based on mutual funds or ETFs?
What fund source is preferred: Fidelity, Blackrock iShares, or Vanguard?
For
Fidelity (mutual funds), I was considering Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX), Fidelity Total International Index Fund (FTIHX), and Fidelity US Bond Index Fund (FXNAX); for
Blackrock iShares (ETFs), I was considering iShares Core S&P Total Market ETF (ITOT), iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS), and iShares Core Total US Bond Market ETF (AGG); for
Vanguard (ETFs), I was considering Vanguard Total Stock ETF (VTI), Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS), and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND).
Being conservative, what allocation is appropriate for us?
I am currently somewhat apprehensive about bond investments (rising interest rates). Other than what I have listed above, can one suggest a more appropriate/better bond fund? Or, should bond funds not be considered at this time?
Any help you can provide is welcome.
Thanks, and stay safe!
John