June 02, 2025

Building Resilient Portfolios and Reducing Risk with Larry Swedroe

1 hour 5 minutes

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier welcomes back Larry Swedroe, author, consultant, and former Director of Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth. They explore how retirees and pre-retirees can construct portfolios that reduce risk, smooth returns, and withstand market shocks. Larry breaks down key principles of evidence-based investing, the importance of understanding risk tolerance, and the evolving role of alternative assets like private credit and reinsurance in modern portfolios.

Topics covered:

Defining ability, willingness, and need to take investment risk

Understanding the three-legged risk assessment framework for retirement planning

The philosophy and principles behind evidence-based investing

Core criteria for evaluating investment assets and risk factors

Why beating the market is increasingly difficult for active managers

Strategic use of factors like value, quality, momentum, and small-cap stocks

Introduction to private market investments and their role in reducing sequence risk

Characteristics and advantages of reinsurance, private credit, and infrastructure

The role of illiquidity as a feature—not a bug—in long-term investing

Shifts in the accessibility and cost of alternative investments

How retirees can improve risk-adjusted returns through smarter diversification

Common misconceptions around timing and liquidity in private markets

Evaluating alternatives based on implementation cost and diversification

Useful Links:

Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn

Larry Swedroe on LinkedIn

Larry Swedroe on Substack

TandemGrowth Financial Advisors

...more

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By moneyandmeaning

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