A powerful way to implement the 3-bucket retirement model is to front-load the Intermediate bucket at the start of retirement. In the early years, sequence-of-returns risk is highest, so the Intermediate bucket can be sized large enough to refill the Safety (cash) bucket for many years. This reduces the need to sell equities during market downturns.

As retirement progresses and sequence risk declines, the Intermediate bucket can gradually shrink. The excess capital can then be reallocated to the Growth equity bucket to restore long-term growth potential.

This dynamic approach balances early protection with later-stage compounding — preserving both safety and growth.