Investing in Retirement – Part 2: Changing the Way You Think About Retirement (Ep. 81)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | December 3, 2025

What if the way you’ve been told to protect your money in retirement is actually putting your future at risk?

In this episode, I continue our series on the seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement. We tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement planning, defining the real purpose of your portfolio and reframing how you think about risk. This conversation is designed to shift your perspective from fear and preservation to growth and resilience.

Key takeaways include:

Why “not running out of money” and “preserving principal” are often conflicting goals
The impact of inflation and longevity on retirement income needs
A real-life story about my grandmother’s retirement and long-term care costs
How the financial crisis illustrates the value of having a retirement “war chest”
Risk in retirement as “years of income” rather than portfolio percentages
And more!

Resources:

Data References:

Average Life Expectancy at Birth (U.S.)

Across all demographics, the average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. is in the late 70s.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Vital Statistics Reports

Inflation & Purchasing Power
- Historical U.S. inflation has averaged around 3% over the long term.
- Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator
2008 Portfolio Decline (70/30 Portfolio)
- A 70% stock / 30% bond portfolio declined approximately 24% during the Great Financial Crisis (calendar year 2008).
- Source: Can Your Retirement Portfolio Survive a Stock Market Crash? Here’s How to Tell
Great Financial Crisis Recovery Timeline
- Source: The S&P 500 at Your Fingertips

Connect with Eric Blake:

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