First of all you did not lose retirement “income”. Your retirement account lost some of its value. And if you (or your advisor) has you invested properly you will not be affected. Why? Because the money you need to withdraw from your portfolio for the next 3-4 years should not be in stocks (or stock mutual funds) anyway. It should be in bonds or other fixed investments and the most immediate of this 3-4 year amount ought to be in (i.e. the next twelve months withdrawal) should be in cash or money market. The market has never been down more than four consecutive years (and that only once, from ‘29-’32). This cushion will provide you the time needed for the market to recover its losses. Then, when the market recovers (and it will!!!) simply replenish the cushion and enjoy a relaxing cup of hot tea and a good book.
I was talking of “potential” retirement income, and I don’t have that many years to make up the losses. But fortunately, since my post, or actually a few days before it, i went 100% cash. Now hoping MM funds don’t break the buck.