EP 26 - 5 retirement risks for Washington State Employees (And How to Beat Them)

In this episode of the Washington Retirement Planning Podcast, we break down the 5 biggest risks facing retirees today, and how Washington State employees can defend their future. From longevity risk to market volatility and inflation, this episode is packed with actionable insights for teachers, public employees, and anyone in PERS, TRS, or SERS.We also tackle the #1 question clients keep asking:💬 “Should I start collecting Social Security early—before it’s gone?”If you’ve been feeling the pressure from market downturns, economic uncertainty, or rising costs, this episode will give you the clarity you need to retire confidently.📞 Need help planning your retirement or managing investments?Visit the link below to book a free retirement strategy session.00:00 – Intro & Market Volatility in 202501:27 – 5 Major Risks You Must Prepare For in Retirement01:55 – ✅ Risk #1: Longevity Risk (Outliving Your Money)02:40 – ✅ Risk #2: Inflation & Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)03:43 – ✅ Risk #3: Withdrawal Rate Risk (The 4% Rule Myth)04:34 – ✅ Risk #4: Sequence of Returns Risk05:37 – ✅ Risk #5: Market Rate Risk (Why the Market Might Not Recover Fast Enough)06:30 – Solution: Lifetime Income Annuities – What They Are & How They Work08:00 – Real-Life Client Example: Retiring 930 Days Earlier08:27 – Listener Question: “Should I Take Social Security Now?”10:00 – Pros & Cons of Taking Benefits Early11:55 – Final Thoughts: Why Planning Ahead Changes Everything13:15 – Book Your Retirement Plan Call (Link in Description)Links:Free Washington Retirement Planning Community⁠⁠⁠Plan 3 Investment Advice⁠⁠Schedule Meeting⁠More free resources at ⁠WATRSPERS.com⁠