The Biggest Financial Risk in Early Retirement: Most People Don't See It Coming
Patrick Thompson
You can save enough, invest consistently, and retire right on schedule... and still run out of money.
The reason usually isn't bad investing. It's bad timing.
Sequence of returns risk is one of the most underestimated threats in retirement planning, and it tends to do the most damage in the one period when you can least afford it: the first few years after you stop working.
In Episode 7 of the Retirement Transition Series, I break down what sequence of returns risk actually is, why early retirement losses hit so much harder than later ones, and what you can do in the years before you retire to reduce your exposure.
What this episode covers:
- What sequence of returns risk means in plain terms
- Why a market downturn in year one of retirement is far more dangerous than one in year fifteen
- The math that shows why timing matters so much
- Strategies to reduce your exposure before and during early retirement
If you're 5 to 10 years from retirement, this is one of the most important risks to understand before you get there.
Catch Episode 6: Roth Conversions Before Retirement
Or watch the full Retirement Transition Series here: All 12 Episodes
Ready to See What a Clear Plan Could Look Like for You?
If you’ve got 20 minutes and want an honest conversation about your retirement income and tax picture, let’s find out if we’re the right fit.

