In today’s economic environment—marked by inflation, market volatility, and shifting tax regulations—retirement planning can feel like aiming for a moving target. Yet despite the changing landscape, the core elements of sound financial planning remain constant.
According to Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, CEO of Fratarcangeli Wealth Management and one of the nation’s most respected financial advisors, a successful retirement strategy hinges on three enduring principles: clarity, discipline, and flexibility.
“Even when the rules evolve, the smartest retirement plan is one that is built on a clear understanding of your financial needs and structured to adjust over time,” Fratarcangeli says.
Drawing from his firm’s experience guiding individuals and families through a wide range of market conditions, Fratarcangeli outlines four key strategies to help secure a confident financial future in retirement.
1. Begin with a Realistic View of Your Spending
While many of us facing down the barrel of retirement often jump straight to analyzing portfolio performance or potential tax advantages, Fratarcangeli urges a more practical first step: understanding your expenses.
“Retirement planning should begin with a thorough look at what your lifestyle will cost,” he explains. “That includes essentials like housing and insurance, escalating healthcare costs, and discretionary spending that reflects how you actually want to live.”
Establishing a clear and detailed budget, he says, becomes the framework upon which everything else is built. “Once you know your needs, you can begin a financial plan that aligns with them – not the other way around.”
2. Account for Inflation and Maintain Liquidity
Planning for market gains is important, but equally critical—especially in a high-inflation environment—is planning for purchasing power erosion and the need for accessible funds.
“Inflation and corrections are inevitable, and your retirement strategy has to make space for both,” Fratarcangeli notes. “That means segmenting your assets to your time horizon.”
He recommends maintaining liquid assets to cover immediate and short-term needs, thereby avoiding the pressure to sell during market downturns. Meanwhile, funds earmarked for longer-term use should be positioned in investments that can historically outpace inflation, helping retirees keep pace with rising costs over time.
“It’s about finding a healthy balance—not being overly cautious, but not chasing too much risk either,” he adds.
Fratarcangeli’s team leverages historical market data to guide clients through periods of volatility. Corrections like those seen during the dot-com bubble, the 2008 recession, or the COVID-19 shock often recover within a few years, making a diversified, time-segmented investment strategy crucial.
3. Prevent Emotional Decisions with a Structured Plan
Market turbulence can tempt even seasoned investors to act impulsively. That’s why Fratarcangeli advocates for structured planning that helps clients stay grounded during emotional highs and lows.
“Whether it’s fear during a downturn or excitement during a rally, both can lead to missteps. That’s why having a plan is so important – it removes guesswork and gives you an objective framework for decision-making.”
At Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, client plans are segmented by near-term, mid-term, and long-term financial goals—whether that means having cash on hand for a child’s wedding or planning investments that grow to sustain income decades into retirement.
“Structure reduces stress,” Fratarcangeli says. “It allows our clients to navigate uncertainty with confidence and clarity.”
4. Think About the Legacy You Want to Leave
While much of retirement planning focuses on the decades following full-time work, Fratarcangeli emphasizes the importance of looking even further ahead.
“A well-rounded plan considers what happens after you’re gone—whether you’re supporting loved ones, philanthropic causes, or both,” he says.
That might include strategies like setting up trusts, revisiting life insurance policies, or developing an estate plan that reflects current tax laws. One critical issue on his radar: the expected drop in the federal estate tax exemption, slated for 2026 unless Congress intervenes.
“These laws don’t stay fixed,” Fratarcangeli warns. “Which is why we advise clients to revisit their estate strategies every couple of years. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow.”
Future-Proofing Retirement with Sound Guidance
Retirement planning will continue to evolve alongside the economy. Jeffrey Fratarcangeli says that if a plan is based on real needs, designed to withstand short-term shocks, and built objectively to reflect long-term vision, it’s possible to move forward confidently in uncertain times.
“At Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, our mission is to help people make smart, long-term financial decisions, regardless of the market cycle,” he says. “When your plan is rooted in your real needs, adaptable to changing conditions, and focused on your broader legacy, you can move forward with peace of mind.”
To learn more, visit fratarcangeliwealth.com.
Securities offered through Thurston Springer Financial, a registered Broker-Dealer (Member FINRA & SIPC). Investment advisory services offered through Thurston Springer Advisors, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products offered through Thurston Springer Financial, an Indiana Insurance Agency.
The information contained herein constitutes general information and is not directed to, designed for, or individually tailored to, any particular investor or potential investor. This is not intended to be a client-specific suitability or best interest analysis or recommendation, an offer to participate in any investment, or a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities.