While baby boomers often lean toward stocks and bonds, the younger generation is interested in alternative investments such as hedge funds, private equity, and newer asset classes like impact investing. These investments require large minimum deposits and require a high net worth to be considered. While high-income investors can invest up to half of their money in alternative investments, the majority of investors still lean towards stocks and bonds. If you’re not sure where to start, sign up for free newsletters from Wall Street firms such as MoneyWise to learn more about different investment types.
Private equity
Private equity has a low risk profile and can be a great option for boomers with a conservative portfolio. However, there are several factors that need to be considered before making this type of investment. First, you should consider your age and risk tolerance. Secondly, you should understand that private investing is not always as liquid as the public markets.
Millennials: This generation is much more interested in alternative investments than Baby Boomers are. The millennial generation, who represent the largest generation in the United States, are more likely to invest in a company that is doing something good. For example, they are more likely to invest in start-ups and early-stage companies.
Baby Boomers: While the Baby Boom generation is retiring, many of them still want to maintain ownership of their homes. Baby boomers are living longer and are healthier. While many of them do not wish to give up on private homeownership, they do not want to be locked in an expensive care facility. In addition, many of them have heard horror stories about care facilities.
Private equity firms are opening the door to more investors than in the past. These investments often have high current cash flow potential and long-term growth potential. Private equity firms are increasingly investing in companies in defensive industries, such as IT infrastructure and health sciences. In some cases, they even invest in car dealerships, which are recession-resistant and high barrier-of-entry.
Real estate investment trusts
Baby boomers are increasingly turning to real estate as a way to diversify their retirement portfolios and increase their returns. But despite the boomer generation’s long-term financial stability, only one-third of these individuals have adequate retirement savings, and one-quarter have less than $50,000. The generation, which was born between 1945 and 1964, grew up during the Great Depression and was employed in a world with decreasing pension funds and employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement accounts.
REITs offer investors a number of benefits, including diversification, growth, and income. REITs have historically provided excellent returns and attractive income, and are a good hedge against inflation. For this reason, many baby boomers choose to invest in REITs as an alternative to their traditional stock portfolios.
Another drawback to direct ownership is that it is often difficult to diversify the risks associated with real estate investments. Investors may not be comfortable with the prospect of running a property or managing rents and tenants. While it is possible to start with as little as $50,000 using leverage, this option may not be suitable for those with high net worth or a large portfolio. However, investors should also be aware that development deals are highly speculative and entail significant risk.
Another advantage of investing in REITs is their tax benefits. Many REITs convert their normal operating income to dividends and pay very low corporate tax rates. This means they can be a tax-effective alternative for boomers.
Impact investing
Impact investing is growing as a popular alternative investment for boomers. While the older generation has traditionally been risk-averse, younger generations are increasingly interested in ventures with social or environmental impact. This trend has become increasingly popular among pension funds, institutions, and individuals who want to align their investment capital with their values. According to a 2017 survey, the market for impact investing is estimated to be $715 billion, and there are currently more than 1,700 organizations managing impact investment funds.
Impact investors can invest in nonprofits and private companies with a social mission. They can also invest in nonprofit loan funds. Nonprofit loan funds help investors spread risk in a diversified portfolio while helping fund causes the investor cares about. Impact investors have diverse financial return expectations and often report portfolio performance exceeding expectations.
The Millennial generation is also attracted to impact investing. They are most likely to choose investments that align with their values. Furthermore, they believe that impact investments are financially viable in the long term. Two-thirds of millennials, compared to only one-third of Gen Xers and 20 percent of baby boomers, find impact investing attractive. Furthermore, Millennials’ interest in impact investing has grown year-over-year across countries surveyed.
Despite the increasing interest in impact investing, the majority of PFs report that they have not discussed it with their advisors. This lack of awareness and discussion is due to a lack of awareness on the part of their advisors. In the U.S. and UK, fewer than half (49.2%) of PFs have brought the issue to their financial advisor. The result? Boomers are not only missing out on the high returns of traditional stocks and bonds.