The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? Today we’ll break down what the 4.7% update really means for your retirement strategy.
We’ll explore how the original rule came to be, why it might be evolving, and—most importantly—why this number isn’t a free pass to spend more. Find out which real-life factors affect your withdrawal strategy and how to build a plan that’s flexible, realistic, and tailored to your life. You'll also hear why rules of thumb are helpful starting points, but never the final word.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📈 Why the 4% rule is being revised to 4.7%
🧾 How portfolio mix changes your withdrawal strategy
🧠 Why your personal safe withdrawal rate might be lower or higher than the headline
🪣 How “bucket strategies” work to stabilize retirement income across market cycles
🏛️ Why tax legislation and inflation are just as important as market performance
Contact:
Website: http://bradshawfp.com
Email: office@bradshawfp.com
Call: 704-216-2260
