September 09, 2025

Episode 195: The 4% Rule and Beyond: Retirement Strategies with Bill Bengen

39 minutes

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia talk with William Bengen, pioneer of the 4% rule in retirement planning. They explore the rule’s evolution, how inflation and market valuations shape sustainable withdrawals, and Bengen’s current recommendations. The discussion highlights the role of asset allocation, the importance of withdrawal strategies, and why ongoing monitoring is essential for a secure retirement.

Takeaways

William Bengen modernized retirement income planning with the 4% rule.

Inflation is a critical factor in determining sustainable withdrawal rates.

Market volatility can significantly impact retirement portfolios.

A comprehensive withdrawal plan should consider multiple factors.

Current recommendations suggest a withdrawal rate of around 5.5%.

Asset allocation plays a vital role in retirement planning.

Investors should consider a rising equity glide path strategy.

Regular monitoring and adjustments to retirement plans are essential.

High inflation can permanently elevate withdrawal amounts.

The 4% rule is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retirement Income Planning

01:14 The Birth of the 4% Rule

03:03 Understanding Withdrawal Rates

09:15 The Impact of Inflation on Withdrawals

12:45 Market Valuation and Its Effects

18:07 Current Withdrawal Rate Recommendations

21:10 Asset Allocation Strategies

24:04 Free Lunches in Investment Strategies

27:34 Key Takeaways from A Richer Retirement

31:15 Future Research Directions

Links

Join Us for RWS Live! with Bill Bengen!

We’re going live on Thursday, September 11th at 1:00 PM ET on the Retire With Style YouTube channel! You’ll have the chance to ask Bill Bengen—creator of the 4% rule—your retirement questions live in the chat.

Search “Retire With Style” on YouTube, or click this link to join us directly: https://retirewithstyle.com/rws-youtube-live

Don’t forget to subscribe so you get notified when we go live!

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The Retirement Planning Guidebook: 2nd Edition has just been updated for 2025! Visit your preferred book retailer or simply click here to order your copy today: https://www.wadepfau.com/books/

This episode is sponsored by McLean Asset Management. Visit https://www.mcleanam.com/retirement-income-planning-llm/ to download McLean’s free eBook, “Retirement Income Planning”

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By Wade Pfau & Alex Murguia

3.9

161161 ratings