Retirement isn’t just about when you stop working—it’s about how you stop, and how that decision shapes your life. For decades, financial advisors have warned clients that timing your retirement is as critical as choosing your career path. But what many overlook is that the years before and after retirement are the most volatile periods for your portfolio. This isn’t just about saving; it’s about navigating a world where market crashes, inflation, and geopolitical shifts can wipe out decades of hard-earned wealth. Here’s why this issue is more urgent than ever, and why the experts are warning us to rethink our approach to retirement timing.