Most investors believe average returns determine retirement success.
In reality, timing matters more. Sequence of returns risk refers to the danger of experiencing poor market returns early in retirement while you are withdrawing income. When this happens, you are forced to sell investments at lower prices, locking in losses and reducing your portfolio’s ability to recover.
Two retirees can earn the same long-term return, yet one runs out of money years earlier simply because their negative returns came
first. This is one of the most overlooked risks in financial planning.
The solution is not predicting markets. It is structuring your plan to handle uncertainty. That includes maintaining a cash buffer, using flexible withdrawal strategies, coordinating tax-efficient distributions, and diversifying beyond traditional portfolios.
At McCary Anheuser Wealth Management, we call this wealthcare. It is a coordinated approach that aligns your investments, income, taxes, and long-term family goals into one resilient system. Because retirement is not just about growing wealth. It is about making sure your wealth lasts.