Home Insights Asset allocation Retirement savings: The danger of abandonment risk

Retirement savings abandonment risk—the tendency for investors to stop contributions or withdraw funds during periods of market stress—is a key behavioral challenge in long-term financial planning. The recent bout of market volatility has only amplified this risk, as heightened uncertainty and a sharp drawdown have shaken investor confidence, potentially prompting investors to make premature changes to their long-term plans. Recognizing the structural and behavioral drivers of abandonment risk and implementing strategies to help retirees stay on track can make all the difference in delivering successful retirement outcomes.

Retirement savings are a critical financial goal, especially as people live longer and face increasingly complex economic landscapes. Building a resilient retirement portfolio requires not only sound investment choices, but also the discipline to stay invested over time. Yet, a key behavioral challenge—known as “abandonment risk”—can undermine even the best laid retirement plans, jeopardizing long-term financial security.

Abandonment risk is the likelihood of individuals stopping contributions to their retirement accounts or withdrawing funds prematurely, particularly during volatile market conditions. Research shows that younger investors typically have higher risk tolerance, while older investors tend to become more conservative – and more likely to abandon their plans – during market downturns.

Notably, younger investors, aged 25-50, not only have more time to recover from market downturns but are also statistically more comfortable with market risk. Our research indicates this age group typically waits for a 25.9% drawdown before making portfolio adjustments. In contrast, investors nearing retirement often adjust at a 14% drawdown, while retirees react even sooner, at just a 9.0% pullback. Abandoning a portfolio can severely impact retirement savings, significantly reducing investment returns—even a brief pause of just six months after a 14% market decline in a 60/40 balanced portfolio can be detrimental.

Failing to address this risk can have lasting implications, leading to poorly timed investment decisions, missed market recoveries, and ultimately, a greater risk of financial shortfall during retirement.

For more information about abandonment risk, read our article “Abandonment risk and its impact on retirement savings.”

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