How to Use 2026 Market Outlooks to Plan for Retirement

Every year, Wall Street rolls out its market predictions.

Targets get published, expectations get set, and the headlines make it sound like the future is just a spreadsheet away.

But markets have a long history of humbling even the most confident forecasts, and that creates a real problem for retirement savers.

Because, while short-term forecasts are usually noise, ignoring market expectations altogether isn't the answer either.

So in today's episode, I break down how to think about market outlooks the right way.

We'll cover why forecasts so often miss the mark, when long-term assumptions actually matter, and how market research can be used as a planning tool (not a prediction engine).

I also share key themes from Vanguard's Economic and Market Outlook for 2026, focusing on growth, inflation, and expected returns—and why all of that matters for your portfolio and retirement plan.

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