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Even if you've spent decades carefully planning your retirement, the first five years can make or break it completely.

Your early retirement years are when you're likely to be spending the most money while also being most vulnerable to market downturns. These are sometimes called the "go-go" years, when you have your health and the will to explore.

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But it's also a period for some pivotal tax and benefit-related decisions. Simply put, if you make all the right moves in these first five years, the rest of your retirement can glide to success. If not, you'll need some extra help.

Here's why the first five years are so important, especially if you've kept up with President Donald Trump's economic policies.

As of 2024, the average retirement age for men was 64.6 and 62.6 for women, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (1).

In other words, most people retire in their early to mid-60s, right about when Social Security eligibility begins. Timing your claim is crucial. Depending on your age, claiming too early can reduce lifetime disposable income by a median of $182,370, according to a 2022 paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. (2)

Another factor to consider at this age is market risk. A severe downturn in the first few years of retirement could derail your long-term plans if you're relying on a market-based portfolio. That's because a big drop in the value of your stocks and bonds, coupled with your steady annual withdrawals, could permanently diminish your nest egg.

Financial experts call this phenomenon the "sequence of returns risk," according to Northwestern Mutual (3).

These risks could be heightened if you're in early-retirement during President Donald Trump's second term. The stock market has seen sudden waves of volatility as the administration unleashes trade wars and actual wars across the globe. Trump also isn't shy about directly name-dropping ticker symbols (4) like Palantir and recommending financial moves on Truth Social (5).

In other words, the market is particularly dramatic and unpredictable right now, and that could put you at greater risk of a bad sequence of returns — depending on how you're invested. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk.

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If you're worried about the sequence of return risks, one way to mitigate them is to create cash buckets for early retirement, according to US Bank. Setting aside living expenses for a few years could give you an emergency reserve that you can tap into if you're unlucky enough to experience a market shock during this period.

You don't need to leave this cash idle. Instead, you can lock it up in relatively safe and stable certificates of deposit or CDs so the cash earns a reasonable rate of return every year. A platform like CD Valet can help you find higher-yield options that work for you, whether you're saving for something soon or building a cushion for the long haul.

CD Valet tracks over 40,000 verified rates from FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions nationwide. Unlike other websites, they show every publicly available rate, ensuring you have a comprehensive view of the market.

Plus, their CD rates are updated continuously, so you can shop, compare and open CDs with ease.

If you're worried about market volatility, you could also consider diversification into precious metals like gold.

Whether bars, coins or bullion, the metal is typically considered a safe haven asset, especially during times of economic uncertainty and armed conflict. Platforms like Priority Gold can help you get exposure to this precious commodity in the most tax-efficient way — no shoeboxes full of coins here.

Their Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainty.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

Diversifying your portfolio and creating cash buckets can help you weather the financial storm, but sometimes it pays to have a little bit of guidance.

Under Trump, there are also new deductions available to older Americans as part of last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (6). Those aged 65 and above can now claim a bonus tax deduction of $6,000 for single filers or $12,000 for joint filers.

This is on top of the existing standard deduction, potentially shielding a massive chunk of a couple's income from federal taxes.

But there's a catch: these measures are set to expire after the 2028 tax year. Taking full advantage requires a precise approach to ensure you aren't leaving money on the table — or triggering an accidental audit.

That's when having an experienced financial adviser can help you make these savvy money moves with confidence.

And Advisor.com's automated matching engine can help you find an expert near you for free.

Advisor.com does the heavy lifting for you, vetting advisors based on track record, client ratios and regulatory background. Plus, their network comprises fiduciaries, who are legally required to act in your best interests.

Just enter a few details about your finances and goals, and Advisor.com's AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert best suited for your needs based on your unique financial goals and preferences. They can also help you figure out if alternative assets like gold are right for you.

Finding the right advisor isn't always easy — there's no one-size-fits-all solution. That's why Advisor.com lets you set up a free initial consultation, with no obligation to hire, to see if they're the right fit for you.

Once you've got the right financial advisor in your corner, you can start preparing your personal finances for any trade war, tariff threat or Truth Social post that impacts the market.

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We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.

Center for Retirement Research at Boston College (1); NBER (2); Northwesternmutual (3); @realDonaldTrump/ Truth Social (4), (5); IRS (6)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.