For decades, people planning for retirement, especially Baby Boomers, have been told to stick with safe investment options like certificates of deposit (CDs), mutual funds, and well-known blue-chip stocks. These choices were considered reliable, offering steady returns with low risk. But times have changed, and those old strategies may not be enough anymore.
Today’s retirees face a very different financial reality. People are living longer, market conditions are less predictable, and inflation continues to rise. As a result, the money saved for retirement has to last much longer and grow in ways that can keep up with rising costs. Traditional investment plans often fail to provide the right balance between growth and protection in this new environment.
This is where modern financial tools come into play. Many retirees are not even aware of options like structured notes, buffered exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and protected growth indexes. These tools are designed to help investors grow their money while also protecting it from major losses which is something traditional plans cannot always guarantee.
Structured notes, for instance, are a type of investment that can offer protection if the market drops, while still providing a chance to benefit when the market performs well. Buffered ETFs work in a similar way by helping reduce the impact of a market downturn. Protected growth indexes aim to combine growth potential with built-in limits on losses.
These are not just complex financial products for the wealthy. They are commonly used by fiduciaries, who are financial professionals legally required to put their clients’ best interests first. However, these tools are rarely presented by large brokerages or banks. One reason is that big financial institutions often rely on older systems and traditional products that are easier to sell to the masses, even if they do not offer the best protection or growth potential.
Companies like RetireUS, a retirement planning firm, are helping people navigate this exact challenge by making smarter tools and expert guidance more accessible. Michael A. Scarpati, CFP® and CEO of RetireUS, leads the fintech platform with the goal of making it incredibly easy and affordable to work with independent fiduciary professionals. The platform allows anyone, regardless of income or experience, to build a clear path to financial freedom with a trusted expert.
Michael Scarpati is helping retirees across the country update and improve their retirement strategies through Government Transition Decision HQ. This free crisis-response hub provides one-on-one support, educational webinars, and personalized financial guidance to help people make informed decisions. The goal is to give retirees the tools and knowledge they need to confidently move away from outdated approaches and toward a more secure financial future.
Many retirees may not realize that the old “safe” choices come with their own risks. CDs, for example, often pay less than the rate of inflation, which means savings can lose purchasing power over time. Stock-heavy mutual funds can be very unpredictable, especially in uncertain economic times. And relying too much on Social Security or limited pension income can leave retirees facing financial shortfalls.
Another issue is that many people retire without ever having a clear plan. They may assume their savings and benefits will cover everything, only to discover unexpected gaps later. New tools and professional guidance help avoid this situation by showing people exactly where they stand and what adjustments can be made early on.
The newer tools being introduced are designed to help fill these gaps with more control and flexibility. Thanks to platforms like RetireUS and Government Transition Decision HQ, retirees no longer have to face these decisions alone. Educational programs, one-on-one sessions, and clear guidance make it easier for anyone to understand and apply these modern strategies.
Today’s retirees deserve better than outdated advice and one-size-fits-all portfolios. With longer lifespans and greater financial demands, they need strategies that reflect the real world. By learning about new tools and using trusted, modern guidance, retirees can build a retirement plan that is built to last and able to adapt as needed.
The bottom line is that retirement planning has changed, and the advice and tools must change with it. For those who are willing to learn and explore new strategies, a more secure and confident future is absolutely possible.