Case Study: Staying Invested With Confidence Through Market Uncertainty
Dec 28, 2025
Pre-retirees replace stagnant cash and risky stock holdings with a resilient, growth-oriented strategy
Client Profile
Kirk and Ellen, pre-retirees
Primary holdings: High-yield savings, CDs, individual stocks, active funds
Primary concern: Stagnant cash returns, full downside equity risk, and longevity in retirement
The Challenge
Kirk and Ellen were stuck: their cash was safe but barely growing, while stocks required constant attention and carried full downside risk. As retirement approached, they wanted a way to stay invested confidently, reduce complexity, and protect against market downturns.
Our Approach
We introduced a combination of market-linked income notes and barrier growth notes tied to broad market indexes, providing:
100% principal protection up to 30–40% market declines
Participation in full market growth with built-in downside buffers
Diversified index exposure instead of relying on individual stocks or active managers
Income and growth opportunities while protecting capital
Better positioning for longevity risk
The Outcome
After reallocating part of their portfolio:
Double-digit income and growth potential
Defined downside buffers to reduce stress during market declines
Clear expectations for long-term outcomes
Greater confidence heading into retirement
Portfolio structured to support longevity and sustainable wealth
Kirk and Ellen now have a portfolio that lets them stay invested, sleep well at night, and pursue retirement goals with confidence.
Illustrative example only. Not a guarantee of future results.