Stop Taking Retirement Advice from the Wrong People and Start Planning with Intention

When it comes to retirement planning, I’ve noticed something surprising: many people will spend more time researching a vacation than they will planning how to fund 30+ years of life after work. Even more concerning, a large number of people rely on friends, family, or social media for financial guidance.

The problem isn’t that loved ones mean harm it’s that their advice usually isn’t tailored to your situation. Retirement planning is too important to be built on opinions, headlines, or viral posts. It requires personalization, discipline, and a clear strategy.

Let’s break down where people go wrong and what works better.

Why Generic Advice Falls Short
Everyone’s retirement picture is different. Income levels, tax situations, health, family needs, and goals vary widely. Yet many people base decisions on what worked for a neighbor or what someone posted online.

Friends and family can share experiences, but they don’t know your full financial picture. Social media often amplifies extreme success stories or fear-driven narratives. Neither is a substitute for a plan built around your numbers and your timeline.

A personalized financial plan aligns your investments, withdrawals, taxes, and income sources with your real goals. That’s not something a comment thread can do.

The Cost of Trying to Time the Market
Another mistake I see is people trying to jump in and out of markets based on headlines. Market timing sounds smart in theory, but it’s incredibly difficult in practice.

Many investors panic during downturns and sell, only to miss the rebound. Historical research consistently shows that frequent traders often earn far less than long-term investors. In some studies, active traders captured roughly half the market’s return because they missed the best recovery days.

A solid retirement strategy is built for market cycles, not headlines. Discipline usually beats prediction.

The Danger of Chasing Trends
Trend-chasing is another common trap. During hot markets, investors pile into whatever is popular — whether it’s tech stocks, “buy what you know” companies, or whatever dominates the news cycle.

We’ve seen how quickly favorites can fall. Companies that looked unstoppable during boom periods can experience sharp declines when conditions change. Buying based on hype often leads to buying high and selling low the exact opposite of what builds wealth.

Familiarity doesn’t equal profitability. Just because you use a product doesn’t mean its stock is a good investment.

Where Cryptocurrency Fits and Where It Doesn’t
Cryptocurrency has drawn a lot of attention, and understandably so. It’s innovative, fast-moving, and sometimes lucrative. But it’s also volatile.

I generally view crypto as a speculative slice of a portfolio, not a retirement foundation. Allocating a small percentage — often suggested at 5% or less can limit risk while allowing exposure. Concentrating a large portion of retirement savings in crypto creates vulnerability many retirees can’t afford.

Exciting investments shouldn’t replace stable planning.

Start With Clear Goals
A good retirement plan begins with clarity. What does retirement look like for you? How much annual income do you need? When do you want to retire?

For example, if your goal is $100,000 per year in retirement, you must map where that income will come from. Social Security, pensions, rental income, and portfolio withdrawals all play a role.

If a couple has $700,000 invested, a 4% withdrawal suggests about $28,000 per year. Add $32,000 from Social Security and you’re at $60,000 still short of a six-figure goal. That gap needs planning, not guesswork.

Communication also matters. Many couples assume they’re aligned, only to discover differing expectations later. Clear conversations today prevent tension tomorrow.

Match Investments to Your Stage of Life
Risk tolerance should evolve. Younger investors often benefit from higher stock exposure for growth. As retirement nears, stability and income become more important, which is where bonds and diversified assets help.

Rebalancing regularly keeps your portfolio aligned with your goals and risk comfort. It’s not about chasing performance; it’s about maintaining structure.

Real Estate Requires Clear Math
Real estate can be a good investment, but only when the numbers work. In high-cost areas, properties may not generate positive cash flow. Buying purely for tax deductions or appreciation hopes can backfire.

Cash flow, risk tolerance, and diversification should drive decisions not tax perks alone.

The Real Takeaway
Retirement success isn’t built on hot tips, viral trends, or guesswork. It’s built on planning, consistency, and informed decisions.

Long-term strategies usually outperform short-term reactions. Personalized plans beat generic advice. And disciplined investors tend to fare better than emotional ones.

There are solid educational resources available including planning guides and books designed to cut through hype and focus on fundamentals. Using these tools can help you build a plan that fits your life instead of someone else’s story.

At the end of the day, your retirement deserves more than casual advice. It deserves a strategy.

Intended for educational purposes only. Opinions expressed are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Neither the information presented, nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decisions. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES:

• Investment Advisory and Financial Planning Services are offered through Pure Financial Advisors, LLC. A Registered Investment Advisor.

• Pure Financial Advisors, LLC. does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult with a tax advisor or attorney regarding specific situations.

• Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance.

• Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

• All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

• Intended for educational purposes only and are not intended as individualized advice or a guarantee that you will achieve a desired result. Before implementing any strategies discussed you should consult your tax and financial advisors.