Volatility remains subdued, and equity markets are elevated; yet history teaches us that this calm rarely endures. With protection still relatively inexpensive, investors today have a rare opportunity to strengthen resilience before conditions shift. As markets drift higher, complacency can take hold.

Many will insure their homes, health, cars, jewellery, yet neglect to actively protect their most critical asset, retirement capital. That oversight puts capital at risk during the seemingly stable periods, when risk feels remote.

Protection bought in calm markets is like insurance purchased before the unknown storm: more effective and more affordable than waiting until after damage has begun, when options are expensive or non-existent.

True financial security comes not from predicting market direction, but from constructing portfolios that can withstand the unknown. Our approach views current conditions through a risk-management lens, building diversification and protection into portfolios by design. This proactive scenario planning reduces reliance on forecasts and helps address the “sequencing of returns” risk that can devastate retirement balances if losses occur early in drawdown years.