It's been a year to remember, but in all the wrong ways. The S&P 500, which is often viewed as the best barometer of stock market health, delivered its worst first-half return since Richard Nixon was president. To boot, the technology-dependent Nasdaq Composite, which has been largely responsible for lifting the market to new highs over the past year, has firmly plunged into a bear market.

While periods of heightened volatility and uncertainty are unnerving for all walks of investors, it can be an especially trying time for retirees. Folks who've hung up their work coats for good may not have the ability to deal with significant drawdowns in their principal investment.

Image source: Getty Images.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com