This episode dives into the evolving investment landscape of early 2026, analyzing how to balance continued AI-driven growth with the episodic volatility currently testing retirement portfolios. We address the year's most pressing concerns for retirees, from the sting of rising Medicare premiums to the long-term impact of sticky inflation on Social Security's purchasing power. Finally, we share actionable strategies for modernizing your asset allocation, including ways to diversify beyond mega-cap stocks and maximize new 2026 tax advantages like the $6,000 senior deduction.