‘I want safe returns’: I’m 73 with $300,000 saved. I’m not interested in the stock market. What should I do?

Site SearchClearSEARCHAdvanced Search ➔Search ResultsSymbolsNo results foundAll NewsArticlesVideoPodcasts0 ResultsNo Results FoundAuthorsNo results foundSectionsNo results foundColumnsNo results found The Moneyist‘I want safe returns’: I’m 73 with $300,000 saved. I’m not interested in the stock market. What should I do?‘I’m not concerned about leaving money to the next generation’Last Updated: March 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ETFirst Published: March 25, 2026 at 9:16 a.m. ETShareResizeListen(8 min)“I’ll likely need to access some of it within a year or two.” (Photo subject is a model.) Photo: Getty Images/iStockphotoDear Quentin,I have $300,000 in a retirement account. I am 73 years old and I am still working at my own business, and I have emergency funds in place. I’m not concerned about leaving money to the next generation, and I’d prefer not to keep my savings in the stock market. What are some other options on offer? I want safe returns. I’m not sure when I’ll need the money, but I’ll likely need to access some of it within a year or two. Would-be Retiree About the Author Quentin FottrellQuentin Fottrell is MarketWatch's Managing Editor-Advice Columns and The Moneyist columnist. You can follow him on Twitter @quantanamo.Show Conversation (0)Back To TopA Dow Jones CompanyCopyright © 2026 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie NoticeArchive MarketwatchCustomer CenterContact UsNewslettersNewsroom RosterVirtual Stock ExchangeMarketWatch GuidesCopyright PolicyManage NotificationsCancel My SubscriptionCompanyDow JonesCode of ConductCorrectionsReprints & LicensingDigital Self ServiceYour Ad ChoicesCorporate SubscriptionsAccessibilityDow Jones NetworkThe Wall Street JournalBarron'sInvestor's Business DailyFinancial News Londonrealtor.comMansion GlobalDow Jones Smart MoneyIntraday Data provided by FACTSET and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by FACTSET. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.