Episode 437: Wallowing In Your Generosity, Listener Portfolios, And Longer Retirements
Jul 10, 2025
The discussion kicks off with a heartfelt look at community generosity and support for a charity. A listener shares the growth of their unique McKenna Man Portfolio, showcasing impressive returns. The conversation shifts to strategies for early retirees, debunking myths about withdrawal rates and exploring flexible spending approaches. Listeners are encouraged to redefine wealth, focusing on well-being and relationships. Personal stories highlight the journey toward financial security coupled with fulfillment in life.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Ron’s Charitable Equity Portfolio
Ron created the McKenna Man portfolio with 100% equities making charitable quarterly distributions while still growing.
This creative portfolio supports the Father McKenna Center and reflects generosity through investment.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Michael’s Risk Parity Journey
Michael shifted to a risk parity portfolio near semi-retirement with diversified assets and small leverage.
His portfolio matched an 80-20 return with much lower volatility, showing success in real-world application.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Planning Longer Retirements Wisely
For portfolios lasting 50+ years, use variable withdrawals rather than fixed CPI increases to maintain higher safe withdrawal rates.
Adjust equity allocations moderately between 40-75% and consider glide paths; fear of longer retirements is largely misplaced.
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In this episode we answer emails from Ron, Michael, Jaime and Clare. We discuss all the generosity bestowed on us and our charity, including the McKenna Man portfolio, a listener's personal portfolio and two-year experience, portfolio longevity issues and common myths thereabout, tax considerations and how to really enjoy retirement after accumulation.
Money can buy you more wealth, but it can't buy you more time. This fundamental truth frames our deep dive into the stories of listeners who've transformed their financial futures through risk parity investing.
We begin with Ron's creative McKenna Man Portfolio – a 100% equity allocation that makes quarterly charitable distributions while still growing steadily. Michael shares his journey from traditional investing to a risk parity approach that delivers impressive returns with dramatically lower volatility, proving these principles work in real-world applications.
The heart of this episode tackles a question many struggle with: how to plan for extremely long retirement periods of 50+ years. Contrary to popular fear-mongering that suggests dramatically lower withdrawal rates, we explore research showing withdrawal rates tend to flatten over extended timeframes. Variable withdrawal strategies that adjust based on actual spending needs rather than rigid CPI increases can support withdrawal rates only slightly lower than traditional 30-year plans. For those concerned about longevity risk, slight adjustments to equity allocations or implementing rising equity glide paths provide additional security without sacrificing quality of life.
Perhaps most powerful is Claire's story of transitioning to a work-optional lifestyle at 56, using risk parity principles to escape a high-pressure career and create space for relationships and experiences. Her wisdom cuts through financial noise with crystal clarity: "Don't worry about running out of money, worry about running out of time."
When we reflect on Bronnie Ware's "Five Regrets of the Dying," none involve wishing for more wealth. They center on authentic relationships, self-expression, and allowing more happiness – precisely what proper financial planning should ultimately enable. The purpose isn't maximizing wealth, but confidently answering "how much is enough" so you can stop playing the accumulation game and start truly living.
What would your life look like if financial fears no longer dictated your choices? Join our community at riskparityradio.com to continue the conversation.
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