A lot of people think that they should buy and hold their stocks since stocks trend higher and the average return of the markets for the last 100 years is about 8.5%. True, but markets do not trend, they cycle. What's the difference?

Look at the chart.  Markets do not trend, they cycle. From 1946 to 1964 there was a nice bull market in stocks. Then, from 1964 to 1982 markets went nowhere. 18 years of just chop. Then the markets exploded with the biggest bull market ever from 1982 to 2000. But now, since 2000, most people have not made a dime on the stock market in the last 16.5 years.

Markets do not trend, they cycle, and a flat market cycle can be devastating in your retirement years. We believe, right now we have the perfect storm for retirement investors of flat market cycles with all time record low interest rates.., which is why retired investors must use distribution planning tools that we offer at Decker Retirement Planning.