Stocked for Success? Finding an Appropriate Rate of Return for Your Retirement Plan

Admin • December 15, 2023

Planning for retirement can be quite daunting given the multitude of questions to tackle and gaps to fill. When faced with numerous unknowns, where do you even start?

Rest assured that you’re not alone if you’ve ever felt a bit stuck in planning for your future. After all, the game changes entirely if you envision retiring in a place with a reputation for sky-high living costs like California, compared to a more wallet-friendly option like Thailand. Plus, who can predict the curveballs life might throw your way between now and retirement?

But even with all the unknowns, you should still visualize what you want your retirement to look like and set goals to achieve, even if those goals need some fine-tuning along the way.

One such goal is figuring out the rate of return to aim for when investing for retirement. It’s a goal that might need some tweaking as your circumstances change, but it’s an essential variable in connecting the dots. Why? Because it helps you figure out another missing piece of the puzzle — how much you need to save for retirement. 

What Rate of Return Should I Use for Retirement Planning?

If you’re curious about what rate of return you should use for retirement planning, stay tuned. We’re about to break it down into a few key factors:

  1. Your time horizon
  2. Your risk tolerance
  3. Your asset allocation

If you’re all in for securing your future, let’s jump right in!

1. Your Time Horizon

Your time horizon is the stretch between now and when you need to tap into your retirement nest egg, and it significantly shapes your investment strategy and the rate of return you aim for.

If you have a longer time horizon, it gives you the flexibility to have a more diversified portfolio that includes a mix of assets with varying levels of risk and potential return because you have the leeway to ride out the ups and downs of the market.

Conversely, if you have a shorter time horizon, your focus might pivot from chasing growth to protecting the nest egg you’ve worked hard to build. Adopting a more preservation-oriented strategy could mean streamlining your investment choices to more conservative options, like bonds, which generally offer lower returns.

Historically, the average annual rate of return for the overall stock market, measured by indices like the S&P 500, has been around 10% per year . That might sound like an appealing annual rate of return on retirement investments, but the reality is that there are years when the market falls short of expectations and others when it will exceed them. 

What does that mean for you? It means you need to align your investments with the timeline leading up to your retirement. 

Imagine you’re two years away from retirement. Opting for a higher-risk portfolio in pursuit of a stellar 10% annual return might not be the most strategic move because those two years may turn out to be turbulent in the markets. You’d risk a loss you might not fully recover from.

The consensus is that the longer your time horizon, the more risk you can afford to take and the higher the rate of return you can target, given the time you have to recover from any setbacks. But it’s not just about the time you’ve got — it’s also about the volatility you can stomach, which we’ll cover next!

2. Your Risk Tolerance

Every investor dreams of reaping all the rewards, but not everyone can shoulder all the risks needed to achieve those rewards. 

Enter risk tolerance, a key factor in deciding the appropriate rate of return for your portfolio. We’ve touched on how your time horizon influences your risk tolerance, but let’s not forget the more personal and emotional aspects — considerations like your financial needs and goals and your comfort level when investing.

Your Financial Needs and Goals

The magnitude of your goals has a direct impact on your risk tolerance. For some, the objective might be as straightforward as securing a comfortable retirement without outliving their nest egg.

Meanwhile, some aspire to more profound objectives, such as aiming for a secure retirement while concurrently creating a lasting legacy for future generations. Such ambitious objectives might call for higher returns and a willingness to take some risks over the investment horizon.

Your Comfort Level

No matter your age, current circumstances, or goals, the bottom line is this: some investors can handle the natural highs and lows of the markets, while others find it highly nerve-wracking.

If there’s a disconnect between your risk tolerance and the actual risk in your portfolio, it can result in emotional stress and less-than-ideal investment decisions—such as deciding to cash out your entire portfolio when things start getting a bit shaky.

If you prefer a more conservative approach due to a low-risk tolerance, it might require you to boost your savings to reach your financial goals. 

You probably have a broad sense of your risk tolerance from what we’ve covered here, but if you want to take it a step further, find out if any of your financial institutions offer a risk tolerance questionnaire. Alternatively, you can consult with an advisor who can provide more personalized insights into your specific circumstances.

3. Your Asset Allocation

Let’s backtrack for a moment to the fact that the average annual return for the overall stock market, as measured by indices like the S&P 500, has historically hovered around 10% per year. 

The S&P 500 is a market index that tracks the performance of the 500 largest (and some of the most successful) public companies in the U.S. (think: Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Berkshire Hathaway, Apple, Microsoft, to name a few).

With that in mind, it’s not practical to stash all your eggs in bonds and cash and anticipate a similar outcome to the historical performance of the overall market. Similarly, going all-in on one of the riskier asset classes — equities — doesn’t quite align with the goal of low-risk investments with minimal downside.

How you divide your portfolio across various assets matters in determining a realistic rate of return. 

To get a snapshot of your current portfolio, you should be able to log into your account(s) or review statements to find a breakdown of your investments and their historical performance and returns. Understanding your current allocation and its historical performance is a helpful way to gauge a realistic rate of return for the future (and helps you assess if any changes are in order!).

Just like your time horizon and risk tolerance, your asset allocation might require some fine-tuning as you navigate different phases of life and adapt to the ever-changing market landscape .

Assembling the Pieces to Find Your “Ideal” Rate of Return

It’s no secret that personal finance is, well, personal. There isn’t some generic instruction manual for pinpointing the perfect rate of return for retirement (and not to mention that this “perfect” rate would change over time).

Online calculators come in handy for plugging in variables like your age, current nest egg, and monthly savings and crunching the numbers to give you an idea if you’re on the right track or if some tweaks are in order.

Nonetheless, drawing from our experience , we understand the intricacies of assembling all the pieces for a comprehensive and strategic retirement plan. We understand that, for some, figuring out what rate of return they should use for retirement planning or crafting any part of their own retirement plan can be intimidating.

If that’s you, we’d love to get to know you and see how we can help you get unstuck in planning for your future, so send us an email at info@fivepinewealth.com or give us a call at 877.333.1015 to grab some time on our calendar! We can’t wait to learn more about your goals and work together to fill in the missing pieces, guiding you toward the retirement you’ve always envisioned. 

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What’s the Best Way to Leave Money to Your Children?

June 17, 2026
Key Takeaways Teaching financial literacy and family values is often just as important as passing down money. A thoughtful estate plan can help reduce family conflict and support future generations. Starting your estate planning early, before you feel like you need to, puts you in the best position to protect your family and your legacy. A trust can help you control when and how your children receive inherited assets. At some point, the question stops being "do I have enough?" and becomes "what do I actually do with all of this?" For a lot of families, that includes figuring out how to pass wealth to their kids without creating a mess. Leaving money to your children doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. A thoughtful estate plan can help you transfer wealth in a way that reflects your values while giving your children the support they need at different stages of life. The most effective plans usually combine smart legal structures with ongoing conversations about money, responsibility, and family goals. Will vs. Trust One of the first decisions many families face is whether to use a will or a trust. A will outlines how you want your assets distributed and who will oversee the process. It’s an important estate planning document and serves as the foundation of many estate plans. A trust, however, can offer additional control and flexibility. Assets held in a trust can often pass to beneficiaries more efficiently and allow you to establish specific instructions for how and when assets are distributed. Depending on your goals, a trust may also help provide privacy and additional protection for heirs. For example, rather than leaving a child a large lump sum at age 25, a trust could allow distributions over time or for specific purposes such as education, housing, healthcare, or starting a business. That doesn't mean a trust is automatically the right solution for everyone. Some families have relatively simple estates and may find that a will adequately accomplishes their objectives. If you have younger children or adult children who aren't quite ready to manage a large inheritance on their own, a trust gives you options that a will simply does not. The important thing to remember is that estate planning isn't just a decision about who gets what. It's an opportunity to decide how wealth is passed on and what guidance, if any, accompanies it. Structured Inheritance Strategies Many parents are uncomfortable with the idea of leaving a significant inheritance all at once. That concern is understandable. Most people can think of examples where a sudden influx of money led to poor decisions, strained relationships, or unrealistic expectations. Structured inheritance strategies can help address those concerns while still providing meaningful support. Some common approaches include: Distributing a portion of assets at specific ages, such as 30, 35, and 40. Allowing distributions for education, healthcare, or home purchases. Creating incentives tied to employment, entrepreneurship, or other personal goals. Establishing trusts that provide ongoing oversight from a trustee. Funding educational accounts for grandchildren as part of a multigenerational plan. These approaches allow wealth to be transferred gradually rather than all at once. There is no universally correct formula because every family is different. A child who is financially responsible at age 25 may require very little structure, while another may benefit from additional oversight for many years. Whatever structure you choose, the goal should be the same: to give your children a foundation, not a crutch. Legacy Planning is About More Than Money When people hear the phrase "legacy planning," they often think about legal documents, account balances, and beneficiary designations. Those items matter, but many families discover that the most valuable inheritance isn't financial. Your values, family traditions, work ethic, charitable priorities, and approach to money often have a greater impact on future generations than the dollars themselves. Consider this question: If your children received your wealth tomorrow, would they also understand the principles that helped create it? Many parents spend years teaching their children how to drive, prepare for college , choose a career, and raise a family. Yet conversations about investing, taxes, budgeting, and responsible wealth management are sometimes delayed until much later. Financial education doesn't need to be complicated. It can begin with simple discussions about spending decisions, saving goals, charitable giving , investing, and how money supports the life you want to live. The earlier those conversations begin, the more prepared future heirs often become. Preparing Heirs for Financial Responsibility Heirs are often better prepared when they understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with inherited assets. That preparation can happen gradually over time. Parents might involve adult children in family financial discussions, explain the purpose of trusts and estate plans, or share the reasoning behind major financial decisions. Some families even hold annual meetings where children learn about family values, charitable priorities, business interests, or long-term planning goals. These conversations are not about revealing every financial detail. Rather, they help create context and understanding. When children know why wealth exists and what it represents, they are often better equipped to manage it responsibly. For families with substantial assets, introducing adult children to trusted advisors can also be beneficial. Building relationships before an inheritance occurs can make future transitions smoother and reduce confusion during an already emotional time. Generational Wealth Transfer A successful generational wealth transfer involves much more than moving assets from one generation to the next. It requires balancing financial support with personal responsibility. Some parents worry about giving too much, while others worry about not giving enough. Most fall somewhere in the middle. The answer is rarely found in a single document or account balance. Instead, successful wealth transfers often combine: A well-designed estate plan. Appropriate use of wills and trusts. Clear communication among family members. Financial education for future heirs. A shared understanding of family values and priorities. When those elements work together, wealth has a much better chance of creating opportunity rather than confusion. Start the Conversation Now Many parents want their children to enjoy greater financial security than they had growing up. That's a worthy goal, but providing an inheritance is only part of the equation. The structure of the transfer matters, but so do the conversations surrounding it and the values passed along. A thoughtful plan can protect family relationships, reduce uncertainty, and increase the likelihood that your wealth will continue supporting future generations in meaningful ways. If you'd like help evaluating your estate plan, discussing inheritance strategies, or creating a comprehensive legacy plan, the team at Five Pine Wealth Management would be happy to talk it through with you. Call (877) 333-1015 or email us today to schedule a conversation.  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: At what age should I leave money to my children? A: There is no universal answer, but many families use a staged distribution approach, releasing funds at specific ages or milestones, such as completing college or reaching age 30, to give heirs time to build financial maturity before managing larger sums. Q: How can I prepare my children to manage an inheritance responsibly? A: Start having age-appropriate conversations about money, investing, saving, and family values. Introducing adult children to your financial advisors before an inheritance occurs is also worth considering; it makes the transition smoother and gives everyone more time to prepare. Q: Do all families need a trust? A: Not necessarily. Some families can accomplish their goals with a will and beneficiary designations alone. A trust is worth considering if you want more control over how assets are distributed, if your estate is more complex, or if your heirs would benefit from some structure around when and how they receive inherited funds.

When Saving Money Starts Getting in the Way of Living

May 21, 2026
Key Takeaways Saving money is important, but constantly postponing meaningful experiences can leave you financially secure and personally unfulfilled. Fear, habit, and identity often play a bigger role in spending decisions than numbers do. A healthy financial plan should support both your future security and your ability to enjoy life along the way. Imagine you’ve saved diligently for decades. You have a healthy income, growing retirement accounts, manageable debt, and investment balances that continue climbing year after year. Yet, somewhere in the back of your mind, a voice keeps saying, “Not enough.” So you hold off on the vacation or skip the kitchen renovation. You tell yourself you will spend more freely later, once things feel more certain. You keep asking yourself the same question, “Can we really afford this?” Sometimes the answer is yes by every objective financial measure, but emotionally, it still feels uncomfortable. For years, personal finance advice has focused heavily on the dangers of overspending. Save more. Spend less. Delay gratification. Avoid lifestyle creep. That advice absolutely matters. Many people would benefit from stronger saving habits. But there is another side of the equation that does not get discussed enough. Some people become so good at saving that they forget what the money was for in the first place. Am I Saving Too Much?  This question sounds almost absurd, and many people feel uncomfortable asking it. In our culture, saving is viewed as responsible and disciplined. Spending often gets framed as careless or indulgent. So when someone continues accumulating wealth year after year, nobody really raises concerns. But over-saving can create its own problems. We have worked with people who consistently save large percentages of their income while postponing almost everything meaningful to them. They delay vacations. Put hobbies on hold. Continue working in stressful jobs long after they financially need to. They keep waiting for some future point where they will finally feel safe enough to enjoy what they built. The challenge is that “enough” can become a moving target. As portfolios grow, lifestyles usually grow too. Concerns about inflation, healthcare costs, market volatility, taxes, and longevity all start competing for attention. Even financially successful people can develop a persistent fear that one wrong decision could jeopardize everything. That fear is often emotional rather than mathematical. In many cases, the numbers support far more flexibility than the person believes. The Psychology of Saving Money Saving behavior is deeply tied to emotion, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about security. Understanding why you save the way you do is the first step toward making more intentional choices. Fear of running out is one of the most powerful drivers. Even people with substantial assets can feel that their wealth is fragile, particularly if they grew up without financial stability or lived through a major market downturn. The brain tends to overweigh dramatic losses compared to equivalent gains, which means the emotional pain of imagining a depleted account is often disproportionate to the actual probability of it happening. Habit reinforcement plays a significant role as well. If you spent 30 years in accumulation mode, consistently saving and reinvesting and growing, your financial behaviors became deeply ingrained. Transitioning from saving to spending, even intentionally, and when the numbers support it, can feel wrong at a gut level. The habits that built your wealth can work against you when the time comes to use it. Societal pressure adds another layer. High-earning professionals are often surrounded by messages that equate financial discipline with virtue. Spending on yourself can feel indulgent or even irresponsible, even when it’s neither. There is a difference between careless spending and deliberate investment in your own well-being, but the cultural script often blurs that line. For business owners and dual-income households, there is also the identity piece. When so much of your sense of self is tied to building, growing, and accumulating, shifting toward enjoyment requires a genuine psychological reorientation, not just a new budget line. Values-Based Spending Over-saving isn't fixed by spending more randomly. What actually helps is spending with intention — putting money toward things that genuinely matter to you. This is what we mean by values-based spending : aligning how money flows with what you care about. The exercise starts with a conversation about what you want your life to look like. Not the life you think you should want, and not the life your parents had or your colleagues' project, but the experiences, relationships, contributions, and comforts that would make your days feel meaningful and full. From there, a good financial plan becomes a permission structure. When your advisor can show you, concretely, that your goals are funded and your risks are managed, spending stops feeling like a threat to your security. It starts feeling like money doing what money is supposed to do. Values-based spending also helps you stop spending on things that don’t matter to you. Many high earners discover that their default expenditures have drifted away from their priorities over time. Redirecting those dollars toward what genuinely matters often feels better than a raw increase in spending. Signs You May Be Under-Living Financially A few patterns tend to show up repeatedly among chronic oversavers: You feel guilty spending money even after careful planning. Your savings goals continue increasing without a clear reason. You postpone experiences you deeply want because you “might” need the money someday. You struggle to define what financial freedom would look like for you. Your net worth keeps growing, but your day-to-day life feels largely unchanged. You continue working at a pace that negatively impacts your health or relationships, despite already being financially secure. None of these automatically means you are saving too much. But they are often signals worth examining more closely. Practical Steps to Align Your Money With Your Life Making the shift from over-saving to purposeful living does not require a dramatic overhaul. It starts with a few honest conversations and a willingness to examine some long-held assumptions. Start by revisiting your retirement projections with a financial advisor. Ask specifically what your models say about your ability to spend, not just your ability to accumulate. Many clients are surprised to find that their plan supports significantly more lifestyle spending than they had assumed. Build a "permission budget" for discretionary spending. This is not a ceiling on enjoyment but a deliberate allocation toward experiences and priorities you have identified as meaningful. Giving yourself explicit permission to spend in certain areas, backed by a sound financial plan, reduces the guilt that often accompanies even well-deserved expenditures. Consider what you are waiting for. If the answer is a number that keeps moving, or a level of certainty that financial markets will never provide, it’s worth exploring whether the hesitation is financial or psychological. A good advisor can help you separate the two. A Healthy Financial Plan Should Support Your Life A strong financial plan should create confidence, not permanent deprivation. Saving diligently is important, but there is also value in recognizing when enough may already be enough. The goal is for your spending to reflect your values, your priorities, and where you are in life right now. Because eventually, there has to be a point where the money begins serving you instead of the other way around. If you’ve been wondering whether your saving habits still align with the life you want to live, we’d love to help you think through it. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we help clients build financial plans that support both long-term security and meaningful living today. Call us at 877.333.1015 or email us at info@fivepinewealth.com to start the conversation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: Why do I feel anxious spending money even when I can afford it? A: Spending anxiety is often tied to the psychology of saving money. Past financial stress, market downturns, family experiences, and years of disciplined saving can condition people to associate spending with risk, even when their financial plan supports it. Q: Can over-saving negatively affect your quality of life? A: Yes. Constantly delaying travel, hobbies, family experiences, or personal goals in pursuit of “more” can lead to burnout, stress, and missed opportunities. Financial security matters, but so does enjoying the life your money was meant to support.