Here's What to Do if the Market Crashes Right After You Retire

The article advises retirees on handling a market crash that hits shortly after retirement, emphasizing the market impact of sequence-of-returns risk. It recommends delaying retirement if a crash occurs beforehand, cutting discretionary spending to reduce withdrawals, and using cash reserves (ideally a 2–3 year cushion) to avoid selling investments at a loss. The piece also suggests part-time or consulting work as a temporary income source. Practical examples: trimming $20,000 of a $120,000 withdrawal plan, and using $240,000 in cash to cover two years of expenses to wait out a recovery. Overall, the guidance is aimed at preserving portfolio longevity and avoiding permanent losses from forced sales during market downturns.