BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned retirees of a looming threat in June. Did his prediction come true?

Back in June, when President Donald Trump’s tariff measures began to ramp up, he issued a stark warning (1).

“If the tariffs are instituted over the next five months, I think we’re going to see very elevated inflation,” Fink said at the Forbes Iconoclast Summit (2).

Imported goods are now 4% more expensive than they were prior to Trump imposing tariffs, according to Harvard University professor Alberto Cavallo. In an interview with Reuters, he said, “Most of the cost seems to be borne by U.S. firms,” adding that “we have seen a gradual pass-through to consumer prices and there’s a clear upward pressure (3).”

Given Fink’s inflation warnings seem to be coming true, here’s what you can do to protect and grow your money during Trump’s tariff inflation era.

Building on the ‘fantastic foundation’ of Social Security

One-third of Americans don’t have any retirement savings at all, according to survey data from Blockrock, cited in Larry Fink’s 2025 Annual Chairman’s Letter to Investors (4).

Social Security plays a significant role in retirement income for many American retirees, with the National Institute on Retirement Security reporting that 40% of retirees depend solely on these benefits for their income (5).

As of September 2025, the average monthly benefit for retired workers is $2,009.50, according to the Social Security Administration (6).

"Social Security is a fantastic foundation for retirement," Fink said in an interview with Bloomberg last March. "But if that's all you have when you retire, you're going to be living below the poverty line. It's supplemental, but it's not meant to be the totality of what you have in retirement (7).”

Planning for retirement isn’t easy, and it’s natural to have lots of questions about how much you should save per month and how to ensure you have a healthy income after you leave your career behind.

Plan for retirement with the experts

If you want expert advice on planning your retirement, seeking a financial advisor is a smart first step. In 2014, a Vanguard study found that those who worked with an advisor experienced an additional 3% portfolio growth compared to those who didn’t.

Finding a financial advisor who suits your specific needs and financial goals is simple with Vanguard.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisors and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

With a minimum portfolio size of $50,000, this service is best for clients who already have a nest egg built and would like to try to grow their wealth with a variety of different investments. All you have to do is set up a consultation with a Vanguard advisor, and they will help you set a tailored plan and stick to it.

Diversify your IRA

The fact is, Social Security likely won’t come close to covering your needs in retirement. In order to live the retirement you want, you’ll need to save up a separate source of funds to supplement your benefits. One way to achieve that is by consistently contributing to a retirement account.

With rising market volatility, those near retirement may be worried about putting their hard-earned dollars into stocks. This is where alternative assets can offer inflation-hedging benefits to protect your retirement fund.

A traditional hedge against inflation is gold. Unlike fiat currencies, precious metals can’t be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks. And because its value isn’t tied to any one currency or economy, gold could provide protection during periods of economic uncertainty. This unique characteristic has earned it the reputation of being a “safe haven” asset.

Gold can help hedge against tariff instability

Gold lived up to its reputation in 2025, soaring by more than 60% — now sitting around $4,200 per ounce (8).

Opening a gold IRA with the help of Goldco allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical forms while also providing the significant tax advantages of an IRA.

With a minimum purchase of $10,000, Goldco offers will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver.

If you’re curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download your free gold and silver information guide today.

Consider home equity investments for further diversification

Many Americans consider buying investment properties for income in retirement, although the current market — plus the work associated with finding and managing tenants — can make buying property less appealing.

Tapping into the home equity market can be another way to benefit from real estate, without the headaches of being a landlord.

With home values surging and homeowners shying away from new debt, investors have a different way in.

Homeshares gives accredited investors access to this overlooked segment: the billions in locked-in equity sitting in owner-occupied homes.

Instead of purchasing properties, investors participate through a portfolio of Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) — allowing homeowners to unlock cash with no monthly payments, while investors share in future appreciation.

The result is exposure to a large, under-tapped market across top U.S. cities, without the headaches of being a landlord or the risk of being overleveraged.

HEAs come with built-in protection: they usually cover 25 to 35% of a home’s value in a lien secured position, which helps shield your investment if the market dips. And unlike traditional real estate, HEAs are also typically resilient to interest rate shifts, offering attractive, risk-adjusted returns even during economic uncertainty.

With diversified portfolios of high-quality homes and target returns of 14% to 17%, Homeshares offers a practical way to gain exposure to a growing corner of the real estate market.

And if you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.