Planning for retirement isn’t just about piling money into “safe” vehicles like cash accounts or annuities. While these options feel secure, they often fail to keep pace with inflation—and fees can eat away at your returns, leaving you vulnerable to long‑term income shortfalls. In this episode of the Yields4U Podcast, financial planner Leibel Sternbach breaks down a smarter approach: balancing safety with growth through controlled risk and time diversification.  

Why Cash Alone Isn’t Enough

Many retirees assume that moving 100% of their nest egg into cash or annuities guarantees protection. In reality, when you account for management fees and advisor commissions, headline rates (say 4%) quickly shrink—sometimes to as little as 2% net. If inflation runs at 3–4%, your purchasing power erodes, and if interest rates fall further, you could be looking at single‑digit returns that don’t even keep up with rising costs.

Introducing the YFYA ETF

To combat this, Leibel and his team use the YFYA ETF as part of a specialized money‑market strategy. It’s designed to deliver returns that at least match inflation, plus 1–2% more after all fees. Instead of betting on the full stock market or doubling down on volatile bonds, YFYA takes the smallest incremental risks necessary to outpace inflation—while keeping drawdowns under 5%. This disciplined approach helps retirees preserve their spending funds without exposing them to severe market swings.

The Three‑Bucket Retirement Plan

Leibel advocates a “bucket plan” to separate your portfolio by time horizon:

1. Short‑Term Bucket (1–2 years of expenses): Cash and YFYA‑style holdings that earn inflation‑plus returns with minimal downside.

2. Mid‑Term Bucket (3–5 years of expenses): A blend of conservative growth assets that can absorb moderate volatility but still shield your long‑term wealth from sequence‑of‑returns risk.

3. Long‑Term Growth Bucket: Stocks and diversified growth funds aimed at boosting your net worth over decades.

By allocating your assets this way, you avoid selling stocks when prices are down and compounding losses. Each bucket serves a clear purpose: immediate spending, near‑term needs, and long‑term growth.

Free Tools to Get Started

To help you implement these ideas, Yields4U.com offers two no‑cost resources:

• The 3‑2‑1 Retirement Plan Guide: Learn the philosophy behind the bucket strategy and how to tailor it to your goals.

• 60‑Second Retirement Calculator: Enter your basic financial details and instantly receive a one‑page plan showing your risk level, bucket targets, and next steps.

Both tools are designed to bridge the gap between theoretical models and real‑world realities—because every retiree’s needs are unique.

Take the Next Step

There’s a difference between understanding a strategy and making it work for your life. If you’re ready to move beyond generic calculators and get personalized guidance, schedule a consultation with Leibel Sternbach today. He’ll help you customize your bucket plan, select the right income‑generating tools, and build a retirement strategy that preserves your wealth and keeps you ahead of rising costs.

Book your consultation now: https://www.yields4u.com/pages/book