I am 59 and my wife just turned 62. We have had our account at Merrill Lynch since the early 80's. My goal is to slow down in about 3 years, but never retire completely. Cash holdings reduce returns. Bond holdings reduce returns.
International investments reduce returns.
And investments in the Pacific have been dropping for most of the last year. Just remember it is a certainty that there will come a day when cash looks good compared to stocks, and that the long term prospects for the Pacific rim markets are very good due to faster economic growth. If you want to lighten your work load in three years, you need to be an employee, not the top dog. If he does, follow it. But he should be able to explain it so you can understand it.