Much like an interlocking puzzle, a retirement portfolio has to be viewed in total as the sum of its parts. The individual pieces of equities, bonds, commodities, real estate, cash, etc. – they are all part of a larger strategy of a well-diversified asset and portfolio management plan that seeks to reap the benefits of a rising market, while limiting or mitigating risk in a declining market. Some pieces of the puzzle may be advancing while others may be declining, but overall a well-diversified portfolio that includes different asset classes and not an “all eggs in one basket” approach has proven itself to be a smart investment strategy over the long term.