Ep. 237 - Risk of Unexpected Retirement

About this episode

This episode discusses the risks of unexpected retirement due to layoffs and automation, emphasizing the importance of financial planning.

Only 40% of people actually choose when they retire. In this episode, Kirk Cassidy and Michael Masserant explain how layoffs and automation are driving unexpected retirements—and why that timing can be financially devastating without a plan. They unpack the concept of sensitivity risk and show how market volatility can amplify its impact. If you're still working, it's worth asking: are you staying by choice or by default? Retirement Education Foundation is a Fiscally Sponsored Program of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. This information is for educational purposes only and is not to be considered tax, legal or investment advice. Kirk Cassidy and Michael Masserant are financial advisors.

People in this episode

Host: Kirk Cassidy

Guest: Michael Masserant

Topics covered

• unexpected retirement
• financial planning
• market volatility
• sensitivity risk
• layoffs
• automation

Keywords

• unexpected retirement
• financial planning
• market volatility
• sensitivity risk
• layoffs
• automation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Retirement Education Foundation, United Charitable

More episodes of Retirement Education Hour

• Ep. 247 - The Real Risks to Retirement, Beyond Markets and Inflation · June 8, 2026 · 49 min
• Ep. 245 - How Income Timing Impacts Retirement Without a Plan · April 29, 2026 · 46 min
• Ep. 244 - Asset Allocation in Retirement: Why the Timing of Your Money Matters · April 16, 2026 · 41 min
• Ep. 243 - Understanding Roth Conversions in Retirement · March 10, 2026 · 49 min
• Ep. 242 - What You Actually Need to Know to Retire · February 18, 2026 · 42 min
• Ep. 241 - Tax-Smart Retirement: Advanced Strategies to Keep More of What You’ve Earned · February 3, 2026 · 49 min