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Unless you are crazy enough to sell, that is.
You have taken what investors call a "paper loss". That is, your investments, which were "worth" some amount 12 months ago, are now worth less than that amount if you sell them.
But of course you're not planning to sell. You've made the right decision and elected to invest for the long term. The next 25 years, to be precise.
The great thing about stockmarket downturns like this is that it shakes the foolishness out of the market. Turns out, 12 months ago, your investments were not "worth" what they said they were. A lot of that "value" was built on sand, or, more specifically, bad loans. Now, however, it isn't anymore.
Don't say a thing. There is absolutely no need for you to call anyone, do anything, or open any mail. Assuming, of course, that you have a properly diversified portfolio.
Wait it out. It's the value of your portfolio AT RETIREMENT which is important, right? What your portfolio is worth now is almost completely irrelevant.
