The recent wave of corporate restructuring and white-collar layoffs – particularly in technology and other high-paying sectors – has reignited an important conversation: how to build true financial resilience. Wealth management often focuses on growth and long-term objectives, but periods of economic transition remind us that preserving flexibility and mitigating risk are equally critical components of a strong plan.
Even for high-income and high-net-worth individuals, job loss or career disruption can feel unsettling. The good news is that anxiety can be a productive signal when channeled correctly. A well-constructed wealth plan doesn’t just shield against worst-case outcomes – it can provide the confidence and freedom to adapt when circumstances change.
The Power of Optionality
Optionality, at its core, is the freedom to choose your next move. When your wealth plan is strong, you can walk away from an unsatisfying job, negotiate a better package, or pivot careers without fear of immediate financial pressure. By stress-testing your household’s “what-if” scenarios, you can increase your understanding of how much financial flexibility you have in unexpected situations.
Auditing Liquidity
For high earners, maintaining sufficient liquidity is both an art and a discipline. Evaluate reserves through the lens of your current lifestyle rather than historical spending patterns. A “worst-case runway” of 12 to 18 months of fixed expenses – covering essentials such as housing, insurance, and family costs – creates breathing room during transitions.
Understanding your cash flow is important. Separate essential expenses (like your mortgage and insurance) from discretionary ones (like travel or non-essential memberships). Knowing which costs can be reduced or paused not only extends your runway but also provides meaningful psychological comfort when uncertainty strikes.
Rethinking Debt Strategy
In periods of volatility, debt management deserves renewed attention. While low-interest mortgages may still be efficient to carry, reducing high-interest or non-essential debt can meaningfully improve flexibility. Fewer fixed obligations translate to more freedom in career or lifestyle decisions.
Liquidity access also matters. Setting up a pledged-asset line of credit or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can provide low-cost borrowing capacity without forcing the sale of long-term investments. These lines can be drawn and repaid on your schedule, providing a valuable buffer in case your income fluctuates.
Assess Career Durability
With capital and hiring shifting toward artificial intelligence and automation, even highly skilled professionals face a dynamic employment landscape. It’s unfortunate, but certain types of careers may become scarcer as they are outsourced to AI. Treat your career capital like a portfolio asset – it requires ongoing reinvestment. Update your resume, network, and seek out new learning opportunities.
Equally important is balance. A career that supports your broader life priorities, rather than consuming them, builds emotional resilience. For example, you might take a job that doesn’t pay as well but derives more satisfaction from it and has more time to spend with your family.
The current jobs landscape is a reminder that wealth planning is not static. It’s an evolving process designed to enhance both protection and possibility. By maintaining liquidity, managing debt strategically, and investing in professional resilience, you can strengthen your financial foundation—and preserve the freedom to navigate whatever comes next.
Please get in touch with your Wealth Manager with any questions about your plan.iscuss how these updates may affect your healthcare and retirement planning strategy.) periodically to understand exactly what you hold. Many participants aren’t aware that their plan may already include an annuity component or that they may have been defaulted into one. If your retirement accounts do include annuities, it’s a good idea to talk with your plan administrator and request more information for specifications.
Weekly Commentary
Building Financial Resilience During the Jobpocalypse
Mallon FitzPatrick
The recent wave of corporate restructuring and white-collar layoffs – particularly in technology and other high-paying sectors – has reignited an important conversation: how to build true financial resilience. Wealth management often focuses on growth and long-term objectives, but periods of economic transition remind us that preserving flexibility and mitigating risk are equally critical components of a strong plan.
Even for high-income and high-net-worth individuals, job loss or career disruption can feel unsettling. The good news is that anxiety can be a productive signal when channeled correctly. A well-constructed wealth plan doesn’t just shield against worst-case outcomes – it can provide the confidence and freedom to adapt when circumstances change.
The Power of Optionality
Optionality, at its core, is the freedom to choose your next move. When your wealth plan is strong, you can walk away from an unsatisfying job, negotiate a better package, or pivot careers without fear of immediate financial pressure. By stress-testing your household’s “what-if” scenarios, you can increase your understanding of how much financial flexibility you have in unexpected situations.
Auditing Liquidity
For high earners, maintaining sufficient liquidity is both an art and a discipline. Evaluate reserves through the lens of your current lifestyle rather than historical spending patterns. A “worst-case runway” of 12 to 18 months of fixed expenses – covering essentials such as housing, insurance, and family costs – creates breathing room during transitions.
Understanding your cash flow is important. Separate essential expenses (like your mortgage and insurance) from discretionary ones (like travel or non-essential memberships). Knowing which costs can be reduced or paused not only extends your runway but also provides meaningful psychological comfort when uncertainty strikes.
Rethinking Debt Strategy
In periods of volatility, debt management deserves renewed attention. While low-interest mortgages may still be efficient to carry, reducing high-interest or non-essential debt can meaningfully improve flexibility. Fewer fixed obligations translate to more freedom in career or lifestyle decisions.
Liquidity access also matters. Setting up a pledged-asset line of credit or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can provide low-cost borrowing capacity without forcing the sale of long-term investments. These lines can be drawn and repaid on your schedule, providing a valuable buffer in case your income fluctuates.
Assess Career Durability
With capital and hiring shifting toward artificial intelligence and automation, even highly skilled professionals face a dynamic employment landscape. It’s unfortunate, but certain types of careers may become scarcer as they are outsourced to AI. Treat your career capital like a portfolio asset – it requires ongoing reinvestment. Update your resume, network, and seek out new learning opportunities.
Equally important is balance. A career that supports your broader life priorities, rather than consuming them, builds emotional resilience. For example, you might take a job that doesn’t pay as well but derives more satisfaction from it and has more time to spend with your family.
The current jobs landscape is a reminder that wealth planning is not static. It’s an evolving process designed to enhance both protection and possibility. By maintaining liquidity, managing debt strategically, and investing in professional resilience, you can strengthen your financial foundation—and preserve the freedom to navigate whatever comes next.
Please get in touch with your Wealth Manager with any questions about your plan.iscuss how these updates may affect your healthcare and retirement planning strategy.) periodically to understand exactly what you hold. Many participants aren’t aware that their plan may already include an annuity component or that they may have been defaulted into one. If your retirement accounts do include annuities, it’s a good idea to talk with your plan administrator and request more information for specifications.
Disclosure and Source
Investment advisory services offered through Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”), an SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. This material is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. It does not constitute a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, has not been tailored to the needs of any specific investor, and should not provide the basis for any investment decision. Please consult with your Advisor prior to making any Investment decisions. The information contained herein was carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but Robertson Stephens cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Information, views and opinions are current as of the date of this presentation, are based on the information available at the time, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Robertson Stephens assumes no duty to update this information. Unless otherwise noted, any individual opinions presented are those of the author and not necessarily those of Robertson Stephens. Indices are unmanaged and reflect the reinvestment of all income or dividends but do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses which would reduce returns. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Forward-looking performance targets or estimates are not guaranteed and may not be achieved. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Alternative investments are only available to qualified investors and are not suitable for all investors. Alternative investments include risks such as illiquidity, long time horizons, reduced transparency, and significant loss of principal. This material is an investment advisory publication intended for investment advisory clients and prospective clients only. Robertson Stephens only transacts business in states in which it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration. A copy of Robertson Stephens’ current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses, among other things, Robertson Stephens’ business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. © 2025 Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC. All rights reserved. Robertson Stephens is a registered trademark of Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. A2745
Talk To Us