HerMoney with Jean Chatzky

Ep 515: Stability Over Stress: Building A Retirement Plan For Uncertain Times

Feb 18, 2026
David Blanchett, retirement researcher at Prudential and lifetime income expert. Jason Fichtner, LIMRA Retirement Income Institute leader and former Social Security deputy. They discuss market anxiety near retirement. They explain protected income, when to delay Social Security, sequence-of-returns risk, bridge annuities, spending patterns in retirement, and how to stress-test a plan.
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ADVICE

Create A Paycheck-Style Retirement Plan

  • Talk with a financial professional and build a retirement spending and income plan.
  • Match monthly expenses to protected income so you recreate a paycheck in retirement.
INSIGHT

Why Timing Of Losses Matters Most

  • Sequence of returns matters most when losses occur near retirement.
  • Protecting essential expenses reduces behavioral reactions and helps you stay invested.
ADVICE

Add Protected Income To Cover Essentials

  • Consider adding protected income (like an annuity) on top of Social Security to cover essential expenses.
  • Use guarantees to avoid selling assets in down markets and weather volatility.
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