The Retirement Danger Zone: What You Must Know

What if the most financially dangerous years of retirement are the ones right around the starting line? Mark Falter explores the “Retirement Danger Zone,” the critical three to five years before and after retirement when market volatility, withdrawal decisions and timing mistakes can carry lasting consequences. He explains why the shift from saving money to spending it changes the rules, why portfolios built for accumulation may not fit the realities of retirement income and how sequence of returns risk can alter the trajectory of even a well-funded plan. You’ll also discover the importance of aligning investment strategy with distribution needs as retirement approaches, with examples to show why this transition requires more than a set-it-and-forget-it mindset. Remember: A portfolio can survive a stall at cruising altitude, but the same mistake near the runway can change the landing entirely.