A bad market early in retirement — combined with withdrawals — can permanently impair a portfolio. This is known as sequence-of-returns risk, and it's one of the most underappreciated retirement threats.
Common strategies to address it include holding 1–3 years of cash reserves, using bond ladders, and dedicating a portion of savings to products with principal protection and guaranteed income such as Fixed Indexed Annuities.
The right mix depends on your timeline, risk tolerance, other income sources, and legacy goals. A licensed specialist can model the trade-offs at no cost.
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