Christine Benz | How to Retire & Navigate Market Volatility

Welcome back to MONEYO2! Today’s episode features Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning at Morningstar and author of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement.

In these times of market uncertainty, Christine shares practical wisdom to help you navigate financial storms and make smart retirement decisions. Her guiding principle? “First, do no harm” — meaning avoid emotional moves that could jeopardize your long-term financial health.

This episode covers how to stay steady through financial turmoil, smart emergency fund planning focused on essential expenses, protecting your portfolio from inflation, and Christine’s proven “bucket approach” to retirement. She also explains the importance of global diversification—aiming for 60% US and 40% international investments—and why investing in your “human capital” is critical.

Whether you’re nearing retirement or just starting your journey, Christine offers calm, level-headed guidance to build resilience no matter what the markets do.

To stay connected with Christine Benz, visit Morningstar’s website where she regularly shares insightful articles and sample portfolios. You can also find her book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement, at your favorite bookstore or online retailers.

Ready to build a smarter retirement plan? Listen to the full episode here.