Retire With Style [Best of 2025 Repost] Episode 195: The 4% Rule and Beyond: Retirement Strategies with Bill Bengen
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to revisit a few of our favorite Retire With Style episodes from 2025. This week, we’re replaying one episode that stood out in particular as Wade’s favorite conversation of the year, based on both the discussion and the questions it sparked from listeners.
We’ll be back with brand new episodes after the holiday break. Thanks for listening this year, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in 2026.
Repost from Episode 195
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
Get Bill Bengen’s New Book – A Richer Retirement
Want to dive deeper into the research behind the 4% rule and how retirement income planning has evolved?
Bill Bengen’s new book, A Richer Retirement, is now available—visit bengenfs.com to learn more and get your copy.
Explore the New RetireWithStyle.com! We’ve launched a brand-new home for the podcast! Visit RetireWithStyle.com to catch up on all our latest episodes, explore topics by category, and send us your questions or ideas for future episodes. If there’s something you’ve been wondering about retirement, we want to hear it!
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”