Wealth Preservation
For pre-retirees and retirees, the math of recovery from large losses is brutal — a 40% drawdown requires a 67% gain to break even, and you may not have the time horizon to wait. Wealth preservation isn't about avoiding the market. It's about participating in growth while limiting how much you can lose in any single year, so you don't have to make up devastating losses with limited working years left.
How we approach wealth preservation
Protecting principal is foundational to every plan we build for retirees. We typically use a combination of:
- →Strategic asset allocation — diversifying across asset classes that historically move differently from each other
- →Cash and short-term reserves — typically sized to cover 1-3 years of expenses so you're never forced to sell investments during a downturn
- →Defined-outcome strategies — buffered ETFs and structured notes that provide market participation with defined downside protection
- →Bond ladders — predictable income from high-quality bonds
- →Fixed indexed annuities — where guaranteed lifetime income with downside protection solves a specific need
- →Disciplined rebalancing — buying low and selling high systematically, not emotionally
Our investment partners
We build portfolios using established asset managers and model portfolios, including Brookstone Capital Management, Vanguard, Dimensional Funds, BlackRock, and others — selected based on your specific situation rather than ideology. We use index funds where they make sense (lower cost, tax-efficient core holdings) and active strategies where they add genuine value (fixed income, downside protection, alternatives).
About wealth preservation.
How do you protect my money from a market crash?
Several ways, depending on your situation. We typically maintain a cash and short-term reserve sufficient to cover 1-3 years of expenses, so you're never forced to sell investments during a downturn. We diversify across asset classes that historically move differently from each other. For clients who need additional protection, we may use specific strategies like buffered ETFs, fixed-indexed annuities, structured notes, or bond ladders that reduce downside exposure. Read our full breakdown: How to Protect Your Retirement Savings from a Market Crash
Doesn't being conservative mean missing out on growth?
It can — if “conservative” means cash and CDs only. Twenty-five-plus years of inflation can cut buying power dramatically, so retirees need some growth potential. The goal is participating in growth while limiting catastrophic losses, not avoiding the market entirely.
How do you choose between different protection strategies?
The right protection strategy depends on your time horizon, income needs, tax situation, and how much complexity you're comfortable with. There's no single best answer — we match the strategy to your specific plan.
Ready to see how wealth preservation fits your plan?
The first 30 minutes are complimentary. We'll talk through your situation and whether we're the right fit.