(Image credit: Getty Images) It's always fascinating to me that, every January, big banks and brokerage firms give their stock market predictions for the year. Most of the time, the results are not in line with their predictions by the end of the year. Predicting the market is a futile activity, and when it comes to making investment decisions, predicting is something most retirees and those nearing retirement should avoid, as success comes down to whether you were right or not. Some look to the past to help navigate the future. While the past is observable and instructive, you don't invest today with the benefit of hindsight. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.…