That's a great and very common question, and the short answer is not necessarily eliminate volatility, but manage it intentionally. As you get closer to retirement, the focus naturally shifts from accumulating wealth to preserving it and generating income. That's where the question of reducing exposure to volatile assets like stocks comes in.

1. The role of volatility in retirement planning: Volatility simply means fluctuation in value. During your working years, those ups and downs often don't matter much because you're adding money regularly and buying more shares when prices are low. But as retirement nears, withdrawals start replacing contributions, and that changes the math. A market downturn early in retirement can significantly hurt your portfolio's longevity, a concept known as sequence-of-returns risk.
2. Shifting from growth only to growth with purpose: Reducing exposure to volatile assets doesn't mean abandoning growth entirely. You still need your portfolio to outpace inflation and support a 20- to 30-year retirement. Instead, it's about creating a balanced structure, keeping enough equities for long-term growth while introducing more stability through bonds, cash reserves, or other conservative vehicles designed for short-term needs.
3. The bucket approach: Many retirees benefit from dividing their investments into time-based buckets. Short-term (0-3 years): Cash or short-term bonds for upcoming expenses. Mid-term (3-10 years): A mix of bonds and dividend-paying stocks for moderate growth. Long-term (10+ years): Equities and growth-oriented investments that won't be touched for a while.
4. The right balance depends on your timeline and income plan: Rather than asking, "Should I reduce volatility?", the better question is, "How much volatility do I need to reach my goals while maintaining peace of mind?" The answer varies depending on your spending rate, other income sources such as Social Security or pensions, and how flexible your withdrawals can be. In summary, as retirement approaches, it's not about eliminating volatility, it's about containing it. You want your money positioned so short-term market swings don't derail your long-term retirement security.