In the debut episode of the Laugh When the Market Crashes podcast (formerly WE Money Talk), host Terry Wheeler, J.D., CFP®, breaks down the key risks that threaten financial security in retirement. Wheeler, who is releasing a book by the same name, argues that traditional "buy and hold" strategies often leave retirees exposed. He identifies 10 critical risks, including:
- Behavioral Risk and FOMO, which he calls the portfolio's biggest enemy.
- Sequencing of Return Risk, a mathematical challenge that retirees can actually manage.
- Defined Outcome Investing, a defense mechanism that may boost safe withdrawal rates.
- Tax Drag, which could consume half of retirement wealth if unaddressed.
Wheeler emphasizes that understanding these risks can mean the difference between panic during a downturn and the "quiet smile" of a prepared investor. The episode aims to equip listeners with actionable insights for navigating market volatility.