Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Survival Matrix

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Retirement / Portfolio Risk

Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Survival Matrix

💡 Executive Summary

  • The Danger Zone: The 5 years before and after retirement (the “Red Zone”) are when your portfolio is most vulnerable to market crashes.
  • Reverse Compounding: Withdrawing money during a downturn permanently shrinks your capital base, making recovery mathematically impossible.
  • Cash is King: Holding a 1-2 year cash buffer (“The Bucket Strategy“) prevents you from being a forced seller of stocks at rock bottom.
⚠️ THE “AVERAGE” TRAP
Your portfolio might earn an average of 8% per year over 20 years, but if the first 3 years are -15%, -20%, and -10% while you are withdrawing money, you will likely run out of money. The order (sequence) matters more than the average.

During your accumulation phase, a market crash is a gift (cheap stocks). During your withdrawal phase, a market crash is a catastrophe. This asymmetry is the heart of Sequence of Returns Risk (SORR).

🧐 The Mechanics of Ruin
Accumulation: Dollar Cost Averaging helps you buy more shares when prices drop.
Decumulation: Reverse Dollar Cost Averaging forces you to sell *more* shares to generate the same cash when prices drop, depleting your balance faster.

Portfolio Survival Simulation

PORTFOLIO VALUE AT YEAR 20
Scenario A: Positive Start (Bull Market) $2.4M Balance
Thriving
Scenario B: Negative Start (Bear Market) $200k Balance
Depleted

Risk Impact Matrix

Variable Accumulation Phase Withdrawal Phase
Market Crash Opportunity (Buy) Threat (Forced Sell)
Volatility Impact Minimal (Time heals) Critical (Time hurts)
Primary Risk Not saving enough Running out of money
“You cannot control the market’s returns, but you can control the sequence of your spending. Flexibility is the only true hedge against SORR.”
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