When markets are performing well, it is natural to feel more confident about the future. The S&P 500 returned about 22% over the past year,* roughly double its historical average, with much of that momentum driven by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. While strong gains are beneficial, they can also be a good reminder to pause and make sure your overall retirement plan still fits your goals.
After a period of rapid market growth, some investors may be tempted to take on more risk or assume it will continue. That does not mean investors should react emotionally, but it does make this an important time to review whether your portfolio remains properly diversified and aligned with your long-term needs.
Retirement confidence remains mixed. While 58% of non-retirees say they are confident they will retire on time, about 47% say they are skeptical they will ever be able to fully retire.** Those numbers reflect what many families feel in real life: market performance matters, but retirement readiness also depends on savings, spending, income needs, taxes, health care costs, and flexibility over time.
A portfolio checkup can help identify whether gains or losses have shifted your investment mix more than expected. For example, strong performance in certain investment vehicles may leave some portfolios more concentrated than intended. For retirees, it is also important to confirm that enough liquid assets are available for near-term expenses and required withdrawals, helping reduce the need to sell investments during an unfavorable market period.
Ultimately, a retirement plan is not designed to beat the market every year. It is designed to support the life you want, with an investment strategy that balances growth, income, risk, and clarity. If it has been a while since your last review, now may be a good time to revisit your plan and make sure it still reflects your goals, timeline, and comfort with risk.
Please reach out to our Client Success Coordinator, Holly Apgar at 973-323-1700 to schedule your review. We can accommodate your schedule with either an in-person or virtual meeting.
Sources:
*barchart.com performance report of the S&P 500 8/11/25 through the most recent market close.
** Thrivent’s 2026 Retirement Expectations Survey, conducted by Ipsos and released 7/15/26
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