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Moneywise
Updated Jul 17, 2026
Vanguard projects modest annualized U.S. stock returns of 3.3% to 5.3% over the next decade.
Diversifying beyond stocks can help smooth out market swings. Gainbridge offers fixed annuities with a guaranteed rate of return.
Consider alternative investments that can hedge against volatility. A gold IRA with Goldco allows you to reap the tax perks of a retirement account and the protective benefits of gold.
Vanguard pioneered the concept of index fund investing, and currently has a whopping $11 trillion in assets under management. It’s a real heavyweight in the American stock market.
So when the company issues a report about the future of the stock market — it’s worth a closer look. In July, the company published a 10-year forecast for a wide range of asset classes, ranging from municipal bonds to mortgage-backed securities.
But it’s the forecast about stocks that should raise alarm bells for many U.S. retirees. Here’s a closer look at what the report suggests seniors can expect in the years ahead.
Lackluster U.S. stock performance
According to Vanguard, the U.S. stock market is expected to deliver an annualized return of between 3.3% to 5.3% over the next 10 years. That is considerably lower than the previous 10 years. Since 2015, the S&P 500 has delivered an annualized return of 15.26%.
In other words, Vanguard’s analysts believe future performance won’t be nearly as impressive as investors have experienced in recent years, barring a sharp drop during COVID.
The team’s forecast about so-called “growth stocks” is even worse. Vanguard expects an annualized return between 1.9% and 3.9% over the next 10 years. That’s uncomfortably close to the 4% withdrawal rate many retirees depend on to meet living expenses.
If you’re already retired or approaching retirement and your portfolio is overweight U.S. stocks, these forecasts should cause some concern.
Consider speaking with a trusted, pre-screened financial advisor about your specific retirement goals and financial circumstances to help you develop a solid strategy.
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.
If you have a portfolio of $250,000 or more, platforms like WiserAdvisor can connect you with vetted professionals who specialize in this kind of planning.
Simply answer a few questions about your savings, retirement timeline and overall investment portfolio.
From there, WiserAdvisor reviews its network to match you — for free — with up to three vetted, reputable advisors aligned with your specific needs.
You can then schedule no-obligation consultations with your matches to determine who is the best fit for your long-term goals.
A well-diversified portfolio could help you stabilize your retirement regardless of the shifting dynamics of individual asset classes.
WiserAdvisor is a matching service and does not provide financial advice directly. All matched advisors are third parties, and specific financial results are not guaranteed.
Plan for how to bridge income gaps
Most retirees follow a carefully planned withdrawal strategy to manage income and minimize taxes. Given Vanguard's forecast for weaker stock returns, your portfolio may grow more slowly than originally planned.
If you're retired and have paid off most or all of your mortgage, a HELOC gives you flexible access to cash without forcing you to withdraw from tax-advantaged accounts.
A HELOC can help you maintain your withdrawal strategy and avoid early withdrawal penalties — though it should be one tool among several, not your entire plan.
Companies like AmeriSave offer competitive HELOC options that let you tap your equity without touching your primary mortgage rate. It's one of the more underused levers available to retirees with built-up equity.
Amerisave is well-suited for homeowners who want a mostly online, low-friction experience from a well-known mortgage lender. However, it's important to evaluate the risks carefully since your home serves as collateral.
Better alternatives: How to position your portfolio
Fortunately, not all asset classes are facing a bleak decade. International equities are expected to deliver 5.7% to 7.7% annualized returns by 2035, with U.S. bonds at 3.8% to 4.8%.
According to Alliance Bernstein’s analysis of Morningstar, U.S. investors hold just 15% of their portfolios in international stocks, which puts them at risk of “home bias”.
If your portfolio is too domestic, consider adding some international stocks and bonds. Or, consider diversifying your portfolio with alternative assets, such as gold and real estate.
Gold as a hedge against stock market volatility
Gold has been a go-to hedge for centuries. It isn't tied to any single currency or government, and it can't be printed. That independence is why investors tend to rotate toward precious metals during periods of volatility.
Gold prices rose more than 80% year to date in 2025, setting multiple record highs along the way.
This chart shows the price of gold over the past five years. If you want to see whether opening a precious metals IRA is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, download a free info guide.
One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA.
A gold IRA allows you to directly invest in physical gold or gold-related assets within your retirement portfolio, offering the tax advantages of an IRA alongside the long-term security of gold. It’s a compelling option for those aiming to protect their retirement savings from inflation and economic instability.
There are specific rules around gold IRAs, and some states have different tax structures for the sale of gold and silver. It’s important to choose the right dealer and custodian to help you navigate regulatory and taxation hurdles.
Depending on the company, they may offer free IRA rollovers and free precious metals for qualifying purchases. Goldco, for instance, can 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 a free gold and silver information guide.
Real estate as a diversification anchor
Real estate often doesn’t move up or down with the stock market, making it an effective stabilizing asset class in your portfolio.
For years, however, these opportunities were largely reserved for institutions with deep pockets. If you wanted exposure to large-scale developments or real estate joint ventures, you generally needed millions of dollars to get in the door.
Crowdfunding platforms changed that by making it easier to invest in real estate online. But many of these offerings focus on smaller, retail-oriented properties.
Meanwhile, large endowments, pension funds and family offices often take a different approach. Rather than buying small stakes in individual properties, they partner directly with experienced operators that manage everything from acquisition and development to day-to-day operations and eventual sale.
Platforms like Realberry¹ offer exposure to real estate opportunities that have traditionally been reserved for large investment firms and private capital groups.
With a 35-year track record, $3.6 billion in assets under management and $1.6 billion in realized proceeds, the firm invests across multiple commercial real estate sectors, including multifamily, build-to-rent, hospitality, mixed-use and industrial properties.
Featured
Hospitality
Austin Proper, TX Featured
Multifamily
Foundry Line, CO Featured
Multifamily
Park40, COThese are a few examples of past funded properties from Realberry. Explore more investment opportunities when you register with Realberry.
Because Realberry manages acquisition, development and execution in-house, investors gain transparency and insight by working directly with the firm managing the entire lifecycle of their investment.
The company also controls more than 6,000 acres of master-planned development land across high-growth Mountain West markets, providing access to opportunities that can be difficult for individual investors to source on their own.
Build a guaranteed income floor with a fixed annuity
Given Vanguard's forecast for lackluster stock returns, a fixed annuity is one option to lock in guaranteed returns without waiting for market recovery.
In exchange for a lump-sum deposit, an insurance company guarantees a fixed rate of return for a set term — providing reliable growth without exposure to market volatility.
A provider like Gainbridge currently offers rates up to 5.45%, more than 3x the national Certificate of Deposit (CD) average, with built-in principal protection.
Unlike a bank CD, Gainbridge lets you withdraw up to 10% of your balance each year with no penalty, and there are no hidden fees or commissions. Terms range from 3 to 10 years, with a $1,000 minimum to open.
Just answer a few questions to see your guaranteed rate and open an account online in minutes.
Earn more without taking on more risk
It can also pay to make sure your hard-earned savings are being put to work in the background. Unlike investments, savings carry a much lower risk of losing their value.
So, getting a solid rate of return on your savings account is a less risky way to grow your wealth with greater reliability and stability.
With a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you lock in a rate up front, often at a higher yield than a high-interest savings account, so your earnings remain predictable even if rates change.
Before opening a CD — or renewing an existing one — a quick check on this CD APY Checkpoint Tool by CD Valet can help you see whether you're getting a competitive rate.
Their platform tracks over 40,000 verified CD rates from FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions nationwide, making it easy to see how your current rate stacks up against the market.
Simply enter your current APY and term length to compare your CD against today's market benchmarks in seconds.
You can also see real-time offers of the best CD rates across the country. Many institutions allow you to open an online account, so you can take advantage of a great CD rate without being located in that state.
Plus, their CD rates are updated continuously, so you can shop, compare and open CDs with ease.
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Debt relief program- Securities offered through NCPS, member FINRA/SIPC. Investments in private placements are speculative, illiquid, and may result in the complete loss of capital. See here for more information: https://www.realberry.com/disclaimer/.
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