Mike MilliganFounder and CEO, 1.oak Financial · Founder and CEO, 1.oak Financial

Is Your Retirement Portfolio Ready for a Market Crash?

10 Feb 2026 · 1 min

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0:52

In this excerpt from his YouTube video, Mike Milligan answers a question about growing wealth in retirement without taking on excessive risk. He emphasizes that retirees face hidden challenges such as longer lifespans and ongoing inflation, noting that a 3% annual inflation rate can halve purchasing power over 25 years. Consequently, being overly conservative—keeping too much in cash or low‑yield assets—can be the riskiest strategy because it may not keep up with these forces. Milligan advocates a "growth with guardrails" approach, recommending exposure to dividend‑paying stocks, growth‑focused exchange‑traded funds, or balanced mutual funds that aim to provide upside while managing downside risk.

Is it still possible to grow wealth in retirement without taking on too much risk? Because that's a, that's an important topic.
Well, absolutely. I mean, people are living longer and inflation doesn't stop once you retire. Even a 3% annual inflation rate can cut your purchasing power in half over 25 years. That's why being too conservative might be the riskiest move of all. Using growth with guardrails like dividend-paying stocks, growth ETFs, or balanced funds helps you stay invested.
while controlling risk. So why is too safe sometimes the riskiest move? That could be troublesome too.
It is because retirees often want to avoid risk, but leaning too heavily into bonds or cash can sabotage long-term security. It's like trying to drive around the country at 20 miles per hour. You'll, you'll get there, but not before your money gives out.