ACE advises: Retirement planning is not “set it and forget it” — it must evolve over time. Strategies that work in your 30s or 40s are not the same ones that protect you in your 60s, 70s and beyond. As retirement approaches, the focus shifts from maximizing growth to sustaining a lifestyle — often for decades — while managing both market volatility and inflation risk.
1. Business owners face unique retirement challenges: For many business owners, retirement begins with the sale of the business. When that sale represents a significant portion of retirement assets, it’s critical not to overestimate the business’s value or rely on an outdated valuation. As founders near retirement, they may also ease off innovation or growth initiatives, which can unintentionally reduce the eventual sale price.
2. Managing longevity and market risk: Longevity, market and inflation risks are central concerns. Many people underestimate how long retirement may last; with advances in healthcare, planning for a 30-year retirement is no longer conservative—it’s realistic. History also reminds us that market disruptions are inevitable. The 2008 financial crisis and the global shock of COVID demonstrated how quickly conditions can change and how long recoveries can take. Retirees who are poorly positioned for income during these periods may be forced to lock in losses or abandon long-term plans altogether.
3. Why growth still matters in retirement: At the same time, these risks do not mean your entire portfolio should be locked into ultra-safe vehicles like CDs or insurance products. Growth still matters. Inflation quietly erodes purchasing power, and recent years have shown how quickly prices can rise. Without growth, a retiree’s standard of living can be at risk over time.
4. Building a resilient retirement strategy: Effective retirement planning isn’t about predicting the next crisis. It’s about building a flexible strategy designed to withstand it — so your lifestyle, independence, and peace of mind remain secure, whatever the future brings.
ACE member Brianna Henward owns and operates Tindon Health & Wealth alongside Andrew Henward, an independent investment advisor and fiduciary. They specialize in retirement planning, investments, Medicare & health coverage. They can be reached at brianna@tindon.us or (207) 248-8411.
