Your investment strategy shouldn’t look the same at 45 as it does at 65. Just as your goals evolve over time, so should the way you invest. An investment strategy by retirement stage helps ensure that your financial plan reflects your current priorities while preparing for future needs.
At Securenet Financial, we work with clients across different phases of their retirement journey. Whether you’re building wealth, preparing to transition out of the workforce, or living off your retirement income, your investment decisions should support your financial position today—and your vision for tomorrow.
The Three Phases of the Retirement Journey
Most people experience retirement in three stages, each with different needs and risk considerations. A tailored investment strategy recognizes these stages and adjusts accordingly:
- Pre-Retirement (10+ years away): Focus is typically on growth and building wealth.
- Transition Phase (0–10 years from retirement): Strategy starts to shift toward preserving assets and preparing for withdrawals.
- Post-Retirement (in retirement): Emphasis shifts to generating income, managing taxes, and maintaining stability.
Let’s take a closer look at what an investment strategy by retirement stage can look like during each phase.
Stage 1: Pre-Retirement – Building the Foundation
During the early and mid-career years, time is on your side. With a longer investment horizon, there’s generally more opportunity to take calculated risk and focus on growth. This may include:
- A higher allocation to equities for long-term appreciation
- Consistent contributions to retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, etc.)
- Reinvesting dividends and capital gains
- Planning for potential major expenses, such as education or relocation
This phase is also an important time to evaluate your savings rate and clarify your retirement goals. Even small adjustments in how much you save—or how your investments are structured—can make a meaningful difference over time.
While this stage often allows for more aggressive investing, it’s still important to periodically review your strategy to make sure it’s aligned with your progress and lifestyle goals.
Stage 2: Transition to Retirement – Protecting What You’ve Built
As you move closer to retirement, your financial focus may begin to shift from building wealth to protecting it. This is a good time to reassess your asset allocation and begin organizing your accounts to support income needs.
Key considerations in this phase include:
- Reducing exposure to high-volatility investments
- Introducing more conservative assets or income-generating holdings
- Evaluating when to start drawing from various accounts
- Planning the sequence of withdrawals to support tax efficiency
- Estimating healthcare costs and other essential spending needs
This stage often involves more frequent planning conversations. It’s also a critical window to think through timing for Social Security, pension elections, and required minimum distributions.
A well-structured investment strategy by retirement stage helps you transition smoothly into the next phase with a plan that matches your risk tolerance and retirement budget.
Stage 3: Post-Retirement – Supporting Your Lifestyle
Once you’ve entered retirement, your investments take on a new role. The goal becomes preserving your savings, generating predictable income, and adjusting as life unfolds.
In this stage, you may consider:
- Shifting more of your portfolio to conservative or income-focused investments
- Using a “bucket strategy” that segments assets by short-, medium-, and long-term needs
- Reviewing withdrawal rates to help avoid overspending or portfolio depletion
- Monitoring the impact of inflation on your income plan
The post-retirement phase often lasts 20–30 years or more. A flexible strategy that includes regular reviews helps you respond to market changes, health events, or shifts in personal priorities without unnecessary stress.
Adjusting for Individual Needs and Preferences
While the three stages provide a helpful framework, everyone’s retirement path is different. Some people retire gradually, others shift into part-time work, and many choose to delay or accelerate retirement for personal reasons.
That’s why an investment strategy by retirement stage should be personalized to fit your situation—not just your age. Your plan should reflect:
- Your expected retirement age and timeline
- Income sources and how they align with your expenses
- Your personal comfort with market volatility
- Any legacy or charitable goals you’d like to incorporate
At Securenet Financial, we guide clients through these transitions by focusing on the life they want to live—not just the numbers on a statement.
Coordinating Your Investments with the Bigger Picture
Investments don’t exist in isolation. They’re just one part of your broader financial strategy, which may also include:
- Health care coverage and long-term care
- Estate planning and beneficiary coordination
- Lifestyle goals such as travel, gifting, or relocation
Your portfolio should support these goals—not compete with them. That’s why we regularly review each client’s investment plan in the context of their overall financial life.
How Securenet Financial Can Help
No matter where you are on the retirement timeline, your investment strategy should reflect your goals, preferences, and current financial position. At Securenet Financial, we help clients:
- Identify the stage of retirement they’re approaching or in
- Evaluate their asset allocation and adjust as needed
- Plan income strategies to support lifestyle needs
- Coordinate investments with taxes, healthcare, and legacy plans
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter approaches. Instead, we collaborate with you to build and adjust a strategy that evolves with you.
Start Structuring Your Investment Strategy by Retirement Stage
Investing for retirement is about more than growth—it’s about preparing for the next stage of your life with clarity and intention. When your investment strategy aligns with your retirement stage, you can approach your financial future with greater purpose.
If you’re preparing for retirement, currently transitioning, or already enjoying your post-career years, we’re here to help you tailor your plan. Schedule a call with Securenet Financial to build or refine your investment strategy by retirement stage. We look forward to hearing from you!
