What is meant by inflation risk?

Inflation risk refers to the possibility that the purchasing power of an investment will decline over time due to rising prices. When inflation occurs, the cost of goods and services increases, meaning that each dollar has less purchasing power. For investors, this is a significant concern because the returns on their investments may not keep pace with inflation, leading to a decrease in their real returns. If the nominal return on an investment does not exceed the rate of inflation, the investor effectively loses money in terms of what their returns can buy.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of considering inflation when planning for retirement or evaluating investment strategies. It is crucial for investors to select investment vehicles that can potentially outpace inflation to preserve their purchasing power over the long term. Therefore, recognizing inflation risk is vital in making informed investment decisions that account for future economic conditions.