Q1: What does a "Set It and Forget It" investment strategy actually mean for retirees?
A1: It means you determine an initial asset allocation, rebalance at standard intervals (quarterly or annually), and resist the urge to make emotional changes based on market noise or hot stock tips.

Q2: Why do most investors underperform the very funds they're invested in?
A2: It's called the "behavior gap." Investors tend to buy when markets are high (greed) and sell when markets are low (fear), leading to underperformance of 3-4% annually compared to the S&P 500.

Q3: Can a purely passive strategy work for someone already in retirement?
A3: Yes, it can work, but it requires immense emotional discipline. The bigger risk is the "sequence of returns risk"—a major market downturn early in retirement can permanently damage a portfolio's longevity.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The Behavior Gap is Real: Human emotions (greed and fear) are the biggest threat to a passive strategy. Investors who check their portfolios less frequently tend to do better.
2. Sequence of Returns Risk Matters: Retiring into a bear market (like 2000 or 2008) requires an active strategy to manage withdrawals and protect your portfolio from being depleted too early.
3. Change is Inevitable: Your personal life, tax situation, and global market dynamics change over decades. A strategy set in stone at 65 may not fit your life at 75 or 85.
4. History is on Your Side (But Not a Guarantee): The S&P 500 has produced positive returns in roughly 75% of years since 1928, but there have been painful lost decades (2000-2010) where passive investors struggled.
5. The Goal is Peace of Mind: The best investment strategy is one you can stick with through market cycles. For many, that means having a trusted co-pilot to navigate uncertainty so they can actually enjoy retirement.

Continuum Wealth Advisors is a registered investment advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.