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