The Red Flag Most Retirees Miss

A lot of retirees end up here. They feel like the financial waters are moving too fast. Too deep. Their kids are better with technology, more up-to-date on market trends, more financially savvy.

So they hand over the responsibility.

And maybe your kids are better at the “money stuff” than you. But here’s the problem: they’re at a completely different stage of life.

They have decades until retirement. You’re living in retirement right now.

What’s “smart” for them could be devastating for you.

Same Family, Different Time Horizons

If your son is 45, he’s playing a decades-long game. He can afford to ride out storms, take bigger swings, and chase higher returns. If the market crashes tomorrow, he still has 20 years of paychecks ahead to rebuild.

You? You’re already drawing from your portfolio today. You need it to grow, yes, but more importantly, you need it to be stable enough to fund your lifestyle for the rest of your life.

The wrong move now could shorten the life of your nest egg in ways you can’t undo.

The Mountain Road You’re Already On

Here’s the red flag we see too often: retirees closing their eyes and letting their son or daughter steer, without realizing they’re still the ones in the driver’s seat.

Take a moment and picture this:

You are sitting in the driver seat of your vehicle... your son or daughter beside you.

The engine hums as you wind your way down a narrow mountain road. The air is thin and cool, the view is stunning, and the asphalt ahead curves and disappears behind the turns.

Your son sits beside you, pointing out the scenery, chatting about what’s around the next bend.

You trust him. You always have. So you slide your hands off the wheel and say, “Why don’t you take over the wheel”

But he’s not in the driver’s seat.

He’s leaning over from the passenger side, one hand on the wheel, steering from a position where he can’t feel the road under the tires, can’t see the angle of the next curve the way you can. And because he’s young and confident, he doesn’t feel the same urgency to slow down.

With your hands on the wheel, a wrong turn may mean adding an hour to the trip.
But with your son or daughter steering from the passenger seat, a wrong turn could send you over the edge.

That’s exactly what it’s like when a retiree hands over their portfolio decisions to a child who is decades away from their own retirement. They may be smart, they may be skilled, but they’re not feeling your stakes.

They simply aren’t sitting in the same seat.

The safest way down? You keep your hands on the wheel. Let them be your co-pilot, pointing out the curves ahead and helping you navigate. But you decide the speed, you take the turns, and you make sure you arrive safely at your destination.

A Role Reversal You Might Not Notice

If you’ve ever taught your kids to drive, you remember what it’s like in the passenger seat: leaning slightly forward, watching the road ahead, calling out the turns before they saw them. You gave guidance, you offered warnings, but you didn’t reach over and take the wheel. The risk was too high, and it wasn’t your job to drive.

You were their co-pilot, not their driver.

Now the roles have quietly reversed. You’re in the driver’s seat of your retirement, and they’re beside you.

They may be sharp with money. They may spot opportunities you’ve overlooked. But they can’t feel the vibration of the tires through the wheel, can’t sense the subtle pull of the curve ahead, and from the passenger seat, They’re not the one responsible for keeping the car out of the ditch.

Why This Isn’t About Capability, It’s About Perspective

Your kids are building for their retirement. You’re living yours.

Even retirees themselves struggle to shift from “saving for retirement” to “living in retirement.” It’s a completely different mindset.

Saving is about accumulation.

Living in retirement is about preservation, income stability, and prudent flexibility.

If that shift is hard for someone in retirement, imagine how hard it is for someone decades away from it. They may be making great decisions for their stage of life, but that may not be the same for yours.

Prudent Flexibility in Action

The smartest move? Invite your kids into the conversation. Ask them to review your plan. Let them help you spot the curves ahead.

But don’t take your hands off the wheel.

Prudent flexibility means staying engaged, making adjustments when needed, and remembering that while you may be on the same road, you’re not headed to the same destination.

They’re driving toward their retirement. You’re living yours.

And the safest way to get there is with both of you in the car… but you steering it the whole way. Because in retirement, the destination isn’t just about getting there - it’s about arriving with enough gas in the tank to enjoy the view. And here’s the thing: along the way, there are hazards you might not see coming.

Our complimentary Red Flag Review Call is designed to uncover those hazards and blind spots before they become problems. In less than an hour, we’ll walk through your current plan together, point out any areas of concern, and give you practical next steps you can act on right away.

You can reserve your complimentary call here: Book My Red Flag Review

*This call is for educational purposes only and is not a financial advising call.

*Because common sense isn't always 'common', here is the legal disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Retirement Red Flags does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. All investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal. Readers should conduct their own research and consult with a professional advisor before making any financial decisions. I am not an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor.