MarketWatch examines how spending and weak markets affect retirement savings

5 articles · Updated · MarketWatch · Apr 30

Using a hypothetical couple with $1.5m, Boldin modelling found three flat years cut success odds from 90% to 86%, while a 5% cumulative decline reduced them to 68%.
Extra spending of $500 or $1,000 a month for three years had limited impact for wealthier retirees, but combined with flat markets lowered success to 85% and trimmed projected ending wealth further.
Advisers said early-retirement sequence risk is worsened by inflexible withdrawals and panic-driven portfolio shifts, recommending spending guardrails, maintaining equity exposure and holding short-term cash to avoid selling assets in downturns.

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