Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 283

Sequencing risk can hit retirement outcomes

It has been an extraordinarily good period for retirees in recent years, with the stock market recording one of the longest bull markets in history. But bull markets typically end with a bear market, and while no-one knows for sure when that may occur, retirees should be preparing for a change in sentiment.

October 2018 was a bruising month for equity markets, and we think volatile markets are here to stay. While all investors understand that market volatility can affect the value of their retirement savings, many do not realise there is another type of risk lurking in the shadows that could be of greater concern for those nearing retirement. It is called sequencing risk.

The sequence, or order in which your investment returns occur, can have a dramatic impact on the health of your retirement savings. Retirees therefore need to look at strategies that can help them during this vulnerable period.

What is sequencing risk?

A portfolio is exposed to sequencing risk if there are contributions coming into a portfolio, or if withdrawals are coming out of the portfolio to fund retirement. A portfolio with no contributions or withdrawals has no sequencing risk because with multiplication, changing the order of numbers has no impact on the result.

The example below shows two investors, A and B, who both start out with an investment of $350,000. Both investors achieve an average rate of return of 5% per annum over the 11-year period.

Investor A’s portfolio experiences negative returns in the early years of his retirement. Investor B’s portfolio experiences the negative returns later on, exactly reversing the annual timing of the same returns. As neither investor is making withdrawals from their portfolio, at the end of the final year both investors have an identical balance of $549,512.

No sequencing risk

This example is for illustrative purposes only.

A tale of two investors

The concept of sequencing risk could kick in during that phase when an investor moves from the accumulation stage (saving for retirement) to the decumulation stage (living off retirement savings).

Negative investment returns early in retirement can be problematic for retirees. If an investor experiences a higher proportion of negative returns in the early years of their retirement, it will have a long-lasting negative effect on their retirement savings. This will reduce the amount of income they can withdraw over their retirement years.

Here we apply the same example above, but this time, Investor A and Investor B are withdrawing $25,000 per year to fund their retirement. They both have identical starting super balances of $350,000. They both have an average return of 5% p.a. over the 11-year period. However, in this case, Investor A’s retirement balance is $169,475 lower than Investor B’s retirement balance. This is the impact of sequencing risk.

The impact of sequencing risk

The impact of sequencing risk

This example is for illustrative purposes only.

While Investor B’s portfolio balance grows in the early years of her retirement, for Investor A, negative returns just after retirement have a devastating effect. This is because he is withdrawing funds as his portfolio is losing value and is therefore holding fewer shares that could benefit from positive returns down the track.

How to reduce sequencing risk when it matters most

The timing of share market falls can dramatically impact the length of time a retiree's capital will last. The good news is that there are ways to structure an SMSF or retirees’ assets to manage the risk. These include diversification into uncorrelated asset classes and holding cash to reduce withdrawals from an equity allocation during heavy market falls.

Another strategy is to set aside a portion of retirement savings in an investment that is not as impacted by market or index returns, such as a defensive equity solution. It may reduce vulnerability to an early retirement stock market decline that causes the most harm to retirees. However, if a retiree is at a point where their retirement savings meet their needs and objectives, they should consider dialing down the risk of their investments.

Investors who are exposed to sequencing risk in early retirement may need to work longer or reduce their living standards, so having an effective plan to manage this risk is essential.

 

Aaron Binsted is a Portfolio Manager at Lazard Asset Management. This article is general information and does not consider the circumstances of any investor.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Risk in retirement: five strategies for finding the right balance

What can retirement savers do in bleak markets?

The five-act future if we knew we’d live to 100

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

Tariffs are a smokescreen to Trump's real endgame

Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Getting rich vs staying rich

Strategies to get rich versus stay rich are markedly different. Here is a look at the five main ways to get rich, including through work, business, investing and luck, as well as those that preserve wealth.

Latest Updates

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Superannuation

The huge cost of super tax concessions

The current net annual cost of superannuation tax subsidies is around $40 billion, growing to more than $110 billion by 2060. These subsidies have always been bad policy, representing a waste of taxpayers' money.

Planning

How to avoid inheritance fights

Inspired by the papal conclave, this explores how families can avoid post-death drama through honest conversations, better planning, and trial runs - so there are no surprises when it really matters.

Superannuation

Super contribution splitting

Super contribution splitting allows couples to divide before-tax contributions to super between spouses, maximizing savings. It’s not for everyone, but in the right circumstances, it can be a smart strategy worth exploring.

Economy

Trump vs Powell: Who will blink first?

The US economy faces an unprecedented clash in leadership styles, but the President and Fed Chair could both take a lesson from the other. Not least because the fiscal and monetary authorities need to work together.

Gold

Credit cuts, rising risks, and the case for gold

Shares trade at steep valuations despite higher risks of a recession. Amid doubts that a 60/40 portfolio can still provide enough protection through times of market stress, gold's record shines bright.

Investment strategies

Buffett acolyte warns passive investors of mediocre future returns

While Chris Bloomstan doesn't have the track record of his hero, it's impressive nonetheless. And he's recently warned that today has uncanny resemblances to the 1990s tech bubble and US returns are likely to be disappointing.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.