06/27/2025
Planning to Pivot
The future rarely unfolds exactly as we imagine. Markets, geopolitics, health, family, and even our own priorities often shift direction. That’s why, in addition to a solid financial plan, it’s essential to have backups: the ability to pivot and adjust as new circumstances arise. Planning for these possibilities doesn’t mean expecting the worst—it simply means preparing for the real world.
When it comes to retirement planning, think of your roadmap as a flexible guide rather than a rigid set of directions. Here are some ideas to help you build more “pivot points” into yours.
Instead of assuming a retirement age, identify multiple potential “exit ramps”—retiring earlier, later, or even phasing out of work. Having options empowers you to respond to unexpected events.
The five years before and after retirement are often called the “Fragile Decade” due to the risks that come with sequence-of-returns and lifestyle changes. Reframing this as the “Deciding Decade” can have an outsized impact on your long-term security.
It’s also normal to adjust as you go. Whether it’s revising your withdrawal rate, reducing expenses, or rebalancing your portfolio, making regular course corrections is not a sign of failure—it’s good planning.
If you’d like to discuss your backup options or review your current strategy, please feel free to reach out at any time.
Send a message to learn more
