<prompt> Human: Lots of posts over the last couple days about retirement fund performance last year. This might be especially confusing because a lot of people read in posts around here at the market returns 7 per year... so why was your return -2 last year? Well, the market fluctuates, and that 7 figure is an historical average over 30 year periods. Two important things to realize from that: Some years your return will be -20, and some years it will be 25. Rarely will you actually have a 7 year. Also, this is historical, and past performance never guarantees future returns. Domestic or global markets could hit a long period of stagnated growth which messes up your retirement or savings plans -- no one can predict the future.That said, the market is still the best place to keep your retirement funds. No other vehicle will have the possibility for as much growth, along with long-term safety, as holding a diversified portfolio. The moral is to choose a portfolio which is well-balanced, and do not look at your retirement accounts every week. Ignore the market, because in 35 years you wont remember what the market did today, and it wont really matter. Once a year look at the funds you hold and see if theyre still appropriate for your goals, and re-balance if necessary.And remember: The worst thing you can do is to try to time the market. Should I move to cash since the market was down 7 this week? No. That may have been the whole correction and we could have 3 years of growth you might miss out on while waiting to get back in. No one knows, and your best guess is really just gambling with your future.  <response>: great readinfo - necessary for anyone wanting to retire comfortably without relying on SS.A great book to read is The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham.My first finance book which has helped heavily when researching, and downplaying media hype when markets fluctuate. Good read for anyone looking to get into the market and psychologically survivethx. 