It’s no secret that market volatility has returned with a vengeance. For retirees and pre-retirees, the stakes are especially high, as sudden downturns can threaten stability and long-term plans. In uncertain times, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that doing something is better than sitting still. But without a clear strategy, emotional decision-making can take a serious toll on your long-term success. Ultimately, how you react to market volatility often has a bigger impact on your financial outcome than the volatility itself.

Periods of heightened volatility trigger a deep, evolutionary response: survival mode. Our brains start looking for patterns, anticipating threats, and reacting quickly, which is great if you’re avoiding predators, not so great if you’re managing a retirement portfolio. Emotional decisions made during periods of heightened market stress often lead to costly mistakes. Panic selling, deviating from a long-term strategy, or chasing temporary safety can significantly

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