(02-02-2021, 09:02 AM)StroudCrowd1 Wrote:

(02-02-2021, 08:39 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: The S&P 500 has never lost money over a 20 year period since 1928.  Pick any date, and 20 years later the market is above where it was on that date.  The average annual return is 10%.  The worst 30 year period, the average annual return was 4.3%, even after inflation. 

I suppose an asteroid could hit the earth and wipe us all out, so if you want me to amend my statement about "no risk whatsoever," I will change it to "very minimal risk."

There is short term risk, it does fluctuate.  But very little long term risk if you have the nerve and the patience to buy an index and just forget about it.  Risk comes in when people try to beat the market.

Sure, but all investment accounts require active management to be successful. I know of several people who took your "set it and forget it" approach and had retirement pushed off due to the COVID market crash. I mean, hell... they were lucky it came back as quickly and strongly as it did. 

As far as "beating the market", of course there is risk, but it's also fun. No different than going to Vegas. Just don't bet more than you can afford to lose.