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As millions don their green attire this St. Patrick's Day (March 17, 2025), the market has been anything but lucky lately. Major indexes have struggled through multiple weeks of losses amidst a rapidly changing global economy. The temptation to react—to chase the pot of gold or hide it under the mattress—has rarely been stronger.
But real financial success rarely depends on luck or perfect timing. It comes from something far more reliable: patience.
Originally published: March 19, 2025
"The stock market is designed to transfer money from the active to the patient," Warren Buffett famously observed. His late partner Charlie Munger put it even more bluntly: "The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting."
Consider a recent finding from Bank of America: investors who missed just the 10 best market days each decade since 1930 saw their total returns drop from a potential 17,715% to a mere 28%. Why such a dramatic difference? Because the market's best days often follow its worst, making perfect timing nearly impossible.
This week's market movements offer a perfect case study. After weeks of declines, Friday saw major indexes post their biggest gains of the year. Those who had fled to the sidelines missed the bounce.
The data consistently shows that time in the market beats timing the market. Like Thomas Jefferson supposedly remarked, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Financial security works similarly—it's less about finding luck and more about creating the conditions where good outcomes become more likely.
Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, built his investment philosophy around what he calls "timeless and universal truths." Chief among these: understanding that markets move in cycles, and what matters is how your portfolio behaves across full cycles, not during any single day or week.
St. Patrick himself wasn't known for quick wins—his legacy comes from decades of steady, patient work. Similarly, the most successful investors plan for decades, not days. They understand that volatility is the price of admission for long-term growth.
Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard, put it perfectly: "Time is your friend, impulse is your enemy." Those who stay invested through market cycles, adding consistently through good times and bad, typically build far more wealth than those who try to outsmart the market's short-term movements.
Creating your own financial "luck" means focusing on what you can control: consistent contributions, appropriate diversification, and staying invested for the long haul.
Savvly's Longevity Benefit is designed to help investors build potential income at later life milestones. It is not insurance, not a guaranteed product, and not FDIC insured. Learn more at savvly.com/disclosures.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making retirement planning decisions.
Disclosures
The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal, or tax advice. It is designed solely to illustrate how longevity-linked investment benefits may work under certain assumptions. Actual results will vary. All illustrations, examples, and case studies are hypothetical and are intended to demonstrate potential scenarios — not to predict or guarantee actual outcomes. They do not represent the performance of any individual investor, portfolio, or account.
Key Assumptions Used in the Illustrations
Life expectancy and mortality projections are based on the most recent Social Security Administration (SSA) tables available at the time of simulation.
In the event of death or early withdrawal, hypothetical scenarios assume that investors who exit early, or their estate in the event of death, may receive 75% of the lesser of the initial investment or current market value, plus 1% for each full year the account was active. Case studies assume standardized market growth of 8% annually and do not incorporate unexpected market volatility, inflation, changes in interest rates, or changes in an investor's personal circumstances.
Simulations may assume a 3% annual early withdrawal rate prior to payout or death. All figures shown are net of fees. No forecast, projection, or hypothetical return should be relied upon as a promise or representation of future performance.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. The 8% annual market growth rate used in illustrations is a standardized assumption for modeling purposes only and does not represent the historical or expected performance of any specific investment. Note that early or voluntary withdrawals by other participants can affect fund performance and the size of distributions, and that a higher-than-expected number of participants reaching payout milestones may reduce the per-participant benefit received.
Savvly's Longevity Benefit is not a bank product, not FDIC insured, not insured by any federal government agency, not a guaranteed or insured investment, and not insurance. Investment values may decline.
Savvly's Longevity Benefit may not be suitable for all investors. Eligibility to invest is subject to qualification requirements and not all investors will be eligible. Investors should carefully consider their investment objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial situation before investing. See savvly.com/disclosures for current eligibility criteria, fees, risks, withdrawal terms, and fund assumptions.
This content is published by Savvly, Inc. Savvly has a financial interest in the products described and this content should not be interpreted as independent financial research or analysis. Investors should carefully evaluate their own circumstances and consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decision.
