Retirement plan or just a portfolio? Anthony Pellegrino asks

Anthony Pellegrino of Goldstone Financial Group says a rising account balance or portfolio is not the same as a complete retirement plan and emphasizes that retirement readiness involves income, taxes, healthcare, longevity and behavioral factors.

Anthony Pellegrino, founder and CEO of Goldstone Financial Group, questions whether many people treat investment balances as equivalent to retirement readiness. He has observed that rising account values can create misplaced confidence if other planning areas are not addressed. The discussion notes that people in their 50s and 60s may have substantial savings but still face risks as retirement nears. Market volatility, inflation, changing interest rates, longer life expectancy and healthcare costs are highlighted as variables that affect long-term outcomes. Key points: - The article reports Pellegrino's view that asset accumulation or a growing 401(k) balance does not by itself constitute a complete retirement plan. - Retirement planning is described as multi-dimensional, commonly including investment strategy, income planning, tax exposure, healthcare planning and estate or legacy considerations. - Specific risks cited include market volatility, inflation, interest-rate shifts, sequencing of investment returns, longer life expectancy and future healthcare costs. - Behavioral factors such as competing priorities, short-term decision-making and delayed planning are mentioned as influencing long-term preparedness. - Goldstone Financial Group is described as operating in this planning space, where interdisciplinary teams model income sustainability, tax exposure and estate scenarios. Summary: Pellegrino draws a distinction between a portfolio and a comprehensive retirement plan and emphasizes that coordinated attention across multiple areas can affect outcomes. That distinction becomes more relevant as people approach retirement and reassess how accumulated assets will function over time. Undetermined at this time.