Is Planning for Retirement Different Today in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?
At first glance, this might sound like a rhetorical question — of course things are different! But let me tell you, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think.
When I first entered this business back in 2006, retirement planning looked very different. We built every plan by hand — I’m talking budgets, calculators, spreadsheets, and late nights reconciling numbers until everything balanced. The software we had back then was only good for printing the final report. If you tried to actually build a plan with it, it would be wrong 100% of the time. You had to know how to “work the system” — adjusting numbers manually until you got results that truly made sense.
Since then, I’ve seen a parade of new planning software and technology come and go. And now, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshaping nearly every industry, it’s natural to ask: Has financial planning finally evolved into something completely different?
Here’s the surprising truth: the core hasn’t changed.
The Human Element Still Matters
Every time a new, young advisor joins our team, we start by teaching them how to build a plan the old-fashioned way — by hand.
Why?
Think about it like this: imagine someone claiming they can be a great mechanic without ever looking under the hood of a car. It doesn’t work that way. A mechanic’s skill comes from understanding how all the parts work together — and from experience troubleshooting problems that no computer could predict.
It’s the same with financial advisors. Real planning requires looking “under the hood” — understanding not just the numbers, but the human side of money: emotions, habits, values, and life goals. No AI algorithm can replace that.
The More Things Change…
As the 19th-century writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr famously said, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Think about how much has changed in just 25 years. Remember:
Dial-up internet and landlines?
Toll booth operators?
CD players and cassette adapters?
Game Boys and cereal box prizes?
Reconciling your checkbook by hand?
Now, compare that to today’s world — AI, Bitcoin, streaming everything, and financial markets that move at lightning speed.
In 2023, human knowledge was estimated to double every 13 months. 1 With AI accelerating innovation, some predict it could soon double every 12 hours. Let that sink in.
Our world is evolving at a mind-boggling pace — but the principles behind a strong retirement plan haven’t changed one bit.
The Fundamentals of a Successful Retirement Plan
Whether you’re planning your retirement in 2006, 2025, or 2050, the foundation remains the same:
Start with an honest budget. Know what you spend — not just what you think you spend.
Set clear, measurable goals. Retirement is more than a number; it’s a lifestyle.
Balance risk with income. Make sure your money works for you — but not against your peace of mind.
Plan for the “what-ifs.” Life happens — health issues, market swings, and surprises are part of the journey.
Understand economic cycles. The past has plenty to teach us about navigating the future.
Don’t Push the “Easy” Button
AI promises convenience — and who doesn’t love the idea of an “Easy” button? But when it comes to retirement, that’s a dangerous mindset. Most people only get one chance to retire successfully — and stay retired successfully.
That’s why having a trusted advisor who understands both the numbers and the nuances matters more than ever.
If you have questions or want a real conversation about your plan — not just a software printout — give us a call. We’d love to help you build a retirement plan that works in any era — even this one.
1. Navigating the Knowledge Doubling Curve: From Fuller to Musk