Plain English Finance

Ep. 25 | The 4% Fallacy: Why Lazy Planning Hurts Clients


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Some financial planners still use the same flat “4% return” rate for every client’s retirement plan. Tré and Sierra explain why that’s not just inaccurate—it’s unprofessional. In this candid episode, Tré shares what happened at a due diligence event that left him frustrated with the industry’s bad habits. You’ll learn why using made-up assumptions leads to misleading plans, what FP Canada actually requires, and how real professionals base projections on evidence, not convenience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to know whether their financial planner is doing the job right or just guessing.

You’ll learn

  • Why a flat 4% rate of return isn’t “conservative”
  • What FP Canada’s standards really say
  • How lazy assumptions mislead clients
  • What proper financial planning should include
  • Questions to ask your own planner
...more
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Plain English FinanceBy Tré Bynoe CFP®, CIM®