Nov. 1--SUNBURY -- A Selinsgrove couple planning to retire in five years lost $75,000 in investments during the current recession and will have to work into their 70s.

Barry and Mary, 61 and 59, respectively, said they were too ashamed to have their surname published. But they wanted to tell their story so that others might avoid their mistakes.

They thought they had their retirement all figured out.

"Until the stock market declined in 2008, we thought we'd have enough money, along with Social Security," Barry said.

"We invested in some risky funds. We were chasing the best rates. You should never do that. I know that now. I never considered how the bank failings would affect my portfolio."

Barry said the couple "lost about $75,000, most of our retirement safety net. Luckily, both my wife and I are in good health. It's pretty depressing. I should have gotten professional help."

Instead, the avid reader of business journals decided to go it alone, investing in individual stocks and various mutual funds.

He never saw the downturn coming.

And then the bottom fell out for the couple.

"We lead a different life these days," he said.

Karen, of Trevorton, who also asked that her surname not be used, is a 63-year-old former social worker who retired five years ago.

Karen was lucky. She was working with a financial planner in Lewisburg when the stock market fell in 2008.

"My investments definitely dropped in value," she said, but wouldn't say by how much.

"I never was a big spender, so I didn't take many risks. I own my own house in Trevorton, my children are grown and they've moved out of the house. I might have to cut back on how I live, but I'm pretty conservative anyway."

Karen, like others, panicked a bit when her investments lost value.

"Thankfully, I was with a good agent. She sat down with all her clients and calmed us down. All of our fears were eased."

Karen is again invested in individual stocks, mutual funds and variable annuities.

"I feel secure," she said. "If I had been on my own, I might have lost it all."

Realizing that your retirement nest egg has dwindled away is a common symptom of the recession.

The good news is that there are ways to go about rebuilding your funds -- if you're disciplined, willing to plan and willing to save.

Starting over

There are ways to begin rebuilding that nest egg, Valley experts say.

It isn't easy.

It is possible.