Building wealth is important. Keeping it intact is just as critical.
As you kick off 2026, it’s a good time to shift the conversation from accumulation to preservation. Life has a way of introducing unexpected twists—health issues, market downturns, changes in income, or family responsibilities. A strong financial plan isn’t just designed to grow in good times; it’s designed to hold up when things don’t go as planned.
That’s where protection strategies come in.
Life Insurance: Not Just for Young Families
Many people assume life insurance is only necessary when kids are young or income is limited. In reality, life insurance plays a broader role in a well-built financial plan.
Depending on your situation, it can help:
- Protect a surviving spouse’s lifestyle
- Cover outstanding debts or taxes
- Replace income during critical years
- Provide liquidity for estate planning
As your assets grow, insurance often shifts from pure income replacement to strategic risk management. Reviewing coverage periodically ensures your policy still fits your goals—not just your past.
Long-Term Care: Planning for the “What If”
Long-term care is one of the most common—and expensive—risks people underestimate.
Whether care is needed at home, in assisted living, or in a skilled facility, the cost can quickly disrupt even a strong retirement plan. Without a strategy in place, long-term care expenses often come directly from investment accounts, shrinking income and limiting flexibility.
Planning ahead allows you to:
- Preserve assets for a spouse or family
- Maintain control over care decisions
- Reduce the financial burden on loved ones
Long-term care planning isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for possibilities.
Bucketing Strategy: A Smarter Way to Manage Market Risk
One of the biggest threats to a retirement plan isn’t just market downturns—it’s when they happen.
A bucketing strategy helps manage this risk by organizing assets based on when the money will be needed, not just how it’s invested. Typically, this includes:
- Short-term buckets for near-term expenses
- Intermediate buckets for upcoming income needs
- Long-term growth buckets designed to outpace inflation
This approach can help reduce stress during market volatility and limit the need to sell investments at inopportune times. It’s not about avoiding risk—it’s about managing it intentionally. Learn more about our bucketing strategy here.
Protecting Against the Risks You Can’t See Coming
Preservation planning focuses on risks that don’t always show up in spreadsheets:
- Health events
- Longevity
- Market volatility
- Inflation
- Changing family dynamics
Addressing these risks early helps prevent reactive decisions later—decisions that often carry emotional and financial consequences.
This is where working with a financial advisor becomes especially valuable. A good advisor helps identify vulnerabilities in your plan and put guardrails in place before they’re needed.
A Plan That’s Built to Last
A financial plan isn’t a one-time event. It’s a living strategy that should evolve as your life evolves.
Preserving your plan means:
- Reviewing insurance coverage
- Stress-testing income strategies
- Updating risk mitigation strategies
- Making sure today’s decisions don’t create tomorrow’s problems
Starting the year with a preservation check-up can provide clarity, confidence, and peace of mind—no matter what 2026 brings.
This material is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Investing involves risk including the loss of principal. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. GenWealth Financial Advisors and LPL Financial do not provide legal advice or tax services. Please consult your legal advisor or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
