Inflation and a Gallon of Milk

In 1960, a gallon of conventional whole milk was 31 cents, and today it’s $4.21 on average.[1] A few dollars might not seem like much, but that’s a 1,258% increase! Now that we’re seeing high inflation, the buying power of your money – including your retirement savings – could be seriously impacted. When calculating how much money you need to retire, consider what you’re left with after inflation.

The Value of Money Over Time

When you think about the fact that almost everything you buy is increasing in price, inflation is a major concern. The value of your money decreases over time: If you took a $100 bill in 1960 and time-traveled to $1980, it would only have the buying power of $40. And if you time traveled again to 2021, it would only have the buying power of about $11.[2] What will happen over the next 20 years – how much will the value of your retirement savings decrease? After ten years of 7% inflation, $1 million would be worth about half – $508,350.

The Big Picture 

Daily life is arguably the most expensive it’s been in 40 years since inflation is at 40-year highs. Inflation can also impact the economy and market, in addition to your wallet. Inflation can hurt purchasing power, which can weigh down economic growth. The last time the inflation rate was over 5%, the U.S. was in the Great Recession.[3] Some economists predict a 1970s-style stagflation in this decade since we also saw higher energy prices and unemployment in 2021.[4] Inflation was as high as 14.5% in 1980.[5] To put it in concrete terms, the buying power of $100 in 1960 now has the buying power of $11.24.[6]

Why Retirees May Need to Worry About Inflation More Than Others

If you’re living off of your savings and your sources of retirement income don’t increase over time, you may need to worry about inflation more than others do. While keeping your money in the market can be one strategy to combat inflation, you may not want to expose your nest egg to much market risk. This makes this period of high inflation and market volatility difficult for those nearing and in retirement.

There are several potential strategies aimed at helping to protect your savings against inflation, and as financial advisors, we can help you explore them. Sign up for a complimentary review with us about your retirement plans, goals, and future.