Existen diversos factores que debemos tener en cuenta al plantear una estrategia de ahorro e inversión según cuál sea nuestro momento vital. Más allá del perfil de riesgo individual, es fundamental analizar elementos como la estabilidad de los ingresos, las responsabilidades familiares, los There are various factors we need to consider when designing a savings and investment strategy, depending on our stage of life. Beyond an individual’s risk profile, it is essential to analyze elements such as income stability, family responsibilities, financial goals, and time horizon, as all of these can directly influence the decisions we make.

“Investing when you are just starting your career, with long time horizons ahead, is not the same as investing when approaching retirement and needing to protect the wealth you have accumulated,” explains Veredas Zarco from the Business Development team at Mapfre Gestión Patrimonial. Beyond your stage of life, it is crucial in any case to have an emergency fund that allows you to face unexpected events and invest without pressure, as well as to regularly review your strategy to adapt it to each phase of life.

When we are young

Time is the greatest ally of young people. With a very broad time horizon, they can assume greater exposure to growth assets such as equities which, although more volatile in the short term, have historically provided better results. The main advantage is that one can take fuller advantage of compound interest (the profitability that accumulates over time when the returns received are reinvested year after year).

Youth is an ideal stage to develop solid financial habits such as automating savings through periodic contributions, allocating a fixed percentage of one’s salary, building an emergency fund, and avoiding unnecessary indebtedness. “The combination of consistency, diversification, and long investment horizons tends to be a very powerful formula for this time in life,” adds Veredas Zarco.

When starting a family

This is when our financial situation tends to become more complex. “At this stage, it is important to balance growth and protection,” recommends Veredas Zarco. It is recommended to maintain a more robust emergency fund, review insurance coverage, and ensure that the economic stability of the family unit is protected.

At this stage of life, the recommended investment strategy is one that maintains a certain exposure to growth assets, combined with more stable products that provide security. It is also an appropriate time to start planning for future needs, such as housing and education, as well as potential work leaves, setting medium- and long-term goals with a realistic perspective.

Middle age

This time in life is often key in the financial planning of individuals. This is a phase when there is still time ahead until retirement, but it also starts to be important to protect part of the accumulated equity. The ideal strategy can be found in balance: maintaining growth-oriented investments while adopting a moderate profile that limits risk, avoiding excessive fluctuations.

Middle age is when it becomes critical to review retirement plans and increase contributions if necessary to ensure long-term financial goals. “The key to reaching the final stage of your career with peace of mind is achieving the right combination of organization, foresight, and balance in saving and investing,” emphasizes Veredas Zarco.

Head of family with children in college

Expenses tend to skyrocket when children enter university, and, therefore, the availability of liquidity gains prominence. In this phase, it is advisable to prioritize solutions that preserve capital and allow for regular payments without limitations. It is a period when moderate- or low-risk investments are recommended, while still maintaining some diversification to avoid completely neglecting growth.

“Apart from covering university expenses, it is important not to overlook your own long-term goals,” clarifies Veredas Zarco. Supporting children’s education is a priority, but one must try not to compromise plans for retirement.

When we retire

This stage should focus on stability and wealth management, including its preservation and income generation. The goal in retirement should be to have regular income that complements the pension and helps maintain quality of life. For this reason, less volatile assets and diversified investment strategies that aim to minimize the impact of inflation become increasingly important.

We must not lose sight of taxation during this period, as it is essential to properly plan the withdrawal of products such as pension plans. Income tax (IRPF) can vary depending on how these withdrawals are structured, and it is also important to review how the income and financial products used in this stage of life are taxed.

Always seek expert advice

No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s wise to have a trusted financial professional by your side that can guide you and help you make the most of your investments. At Mapfre, we have a team of financial experts, Mapfre Gestión Patrimonial, who help investors find the options that best suit their objectives and needs.