At 55, should you still be investing like you’re 35? Maybe. The better answer depends less on the number candles on the birthday cake and more on when the money needs to do its job. Someone planning to work until 70 has a very different investment timeline from someone hoping to leave the workforce at 60, and treating both portfolios exactly the same makes about as much sense as wearing winter boots to a beach picnic.
That does not mean a 55-year-old needs to panic, dump stocks and stuff every investment into cash. In fact, going too conservative too soon can create its own problem: the portfolio may struggle to keep pace with inflation and support a retirement that could last decades. The goal involves finding a balance between growth and protection, then adjusting that balance as retirement gets closer.
