Can I keep investing in the same ETFs forever? How your strategy should change over time

How do you know when it's time to change your strategy? At just 21, listener Ben is already asking when he should prepare his portfolio for retirement. He's invested entirely in a geared ETF and wants to know what that means for his future. It's something Jess hasn't really considered either. She's investing for the long term, but what should that actually look like as life changes? So Jess sits down with financial adviser Melissa Balacharige from Shadforth to explore how your investment strategy might evolve through your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and into retirement. They unpack when to start de-risking, how your portfolio might change as your goals and time frame shift, and whether the 4% rule still works if you're invested in leveraged ETFs. Plus, why getting too defensive too early could be one of the biggest mistakes you make. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:10 The Four Percent Rule 07:14 Investing in Your 20s and 30s 12:24 Diversifying in Your 40s 17:30 Managing Retirement Risk 21:21 Staying Disciplined 26:31 Preparing for Retirement 30:34 Leveraged ETFs and Key Takeaways You can find the investing flipbook Mel mentioned here, and helps break down the concepts she explained to Jess. (https://online.flippingbook.com/shelf/737964/316797/) ——— Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free. If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super. MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.au Disclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right

Added 20 Oct 2026