Senior financial planning

I mean CD's paying 5%+ aren't a terrible idea for someone at 82. She should be trying to preserve as much as possible. She could live for another 20+ years or could pass away before that but there's no guarantee she'll have time to weather big swings in her portfolio.

"My mother (82 y/o) is kinda freaking out because.."
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Not unusual for situtation.

My Mom was in a similar situation when my Dad died. I took over managing her assets. A couple of siblings also helped oversee the process.

She would call me hyperventilating when certain paperwork came in. A simple "I'll take care of it" and she calmed down quickly.

RIP Mom

quote:

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I keep telling her that if she doesn't need the money (and she doesn't) just ignore it.

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So these are investments that she isn't going to need to live off for potentially 20 years and she is more concerned about increasing their value for eventual inheritance?

Maybe explain to here that you'd likely invest inheritance in equities yourself so might as well stay invested now so you dont have to buy at higher prices.

Are these retirement or taxable accounts? Could make a big difference tax wise if for instance she sells to rebalance and realizes a large capital gain versus passing it on to heirs at stepped up basis. May be less of factor w partial stepped up basis from father .

I'd start by reallocating any single stocks especially more speculative ones. She should be anxious about those since no one is monitoring them. Perhaps she'd be comfortable with a broad market fund to spread risk but keep things invested in market to grow estate.