It’s that time of year again. Congress has missed the budget deadline, and the U.S. government has officially shut down.

Moments like this tend to stir uncertainty. Government services pause. Uneasiness rises. And if you’re retired or approaching retirement, you might find yourself wondering: Does this affect me? Should I be doing something right now?

Let’s go over what’s actually happening, what it means for your money, and why a sound retirement plan doesn’t get shaken by political noise.

What’s Behind the Shutdown This Time?

Every year, Congress is supposed to agree on a new budget by September 30. When that doesn’t happen — like now — the government loses its authority to spend money. That’s when the shutdown begins.

This current impasse centers on disagreements over federal spending priorities. Some want deep cuts. Others are pushing to maintain or increase funding in key areas. Until they reach a compromise, nonessential departments go quiet, and federal employees either work without pay or are temporarily sent home.

Think of it like flying through turbulence. The ride gets bumpy. The crew pauses service. But the plane is still moving forward and the most important systems are still fully operational.

What Does It Mean for Your Retirement?

First, the reassuring part: if you’re receiving Social Security, Medicare, or VA benefits, those programs continue as usual. These aren’t part of the annual budget fight — they’re funded separately through trust funds and ongoing legislation.

• Your Social Security payments arrive on schedule.
• Medicare and Medicaid services continue.
• Federal retirees still receive their pensions and health benefits.

Some services may slow down — like processing new benefit applications or updating Medicare info — but your existing benefits aren’t in danger.

What About the Markets?

Markets tend to react to uncertainty, as we’ve documented at length. But, they also tend to recover quickly from political disruptions.

Over the past 20+ shutdowns, performance has varied. Sometimes markets dip. Other times they rise. During the longest shutdown on record, the S&P 500 actually climbed more than 10%. And in most cases, stocks have ended up higher a year after the shutdown ends.

It’s a reminder that short-term events don’t define your long-term future. This is especially the case when you’re investing with a plan.

What Should You Be Doing Right Now?

Maybe nothing.

Shutdowns can be unsettling, but they’re not new. Your plan should be designed with this kind of uncertainty in mind. If it’s built well — and reviewed regularly — it can absorb the shock without throwing off your trajectory.

Still, moments like this are a good opportunity to check in:

• Are you still comfortable with your current level of risk?
• Are you nearing retirement and concerned about timing?
• Has something in your personal life changed that your plan should reflect?

If the answer to any of those is yes, it’s worth a conversation. Not because you’re reacting to the drama, but because you’re staying proactive about what matters most.

Shutdowns come and go. Markets rise and fall. But the core of your retirement plan — clarity, strategy, and discipline — is what keeps everything moving forward.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of investment and insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic retirement income strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.