A Big Question For Me Heading Into Retirement

We’re probably financially independent (FI).  Based on multiple retirement calculators and hours upon hours of studying the issue, I’m confident, if my wife and I were to quit making money today, our nest egg, along with Social Security, would provide us a comfortable living for the remainder of our lives.  The only reason I’m still working is because my wife has the desire to travel more frequently and spoil our grandchildren in various ways.  I’m not certain we could safely generate the kind of income that would allow enough travel and spoiling to suit her.  Working another year or two would help secure the kind of lifestyle that would keep her happy.

So we are on the verge of having “won the game” and now I spend a lot of time thinking about “de-risking” my 90% stock 10% cash portfolio as we prepare for the decumulation phase of life.  But I have a different problem than most investors.  I was born with a temperament for stock market risk.  It doesn’t bother me in the least.  In fact, having my money out of the stock market makes me lose sleep.  A couple times in my life I have attempted to add bonds to my portfolio to adhere to conventional wisdom, only to quickly move back into stocks.  The 10% I’m holding in cash right now are proceeds from the recent downsizing of our home.  There are many days I am tempted to move this into the market.

Are there others out there like me?  What are your thoughts about my aversion to stock market de-risking?  Is the mantra to “stop playing once you’ve won the game” critical to retirement success or just an ultra-conservative move for those who are risk averse?