Does the 4% rule work for today’s retirement? (2024)

Annuities and Life Insurance are issued by Prudential Financial companies; The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“PICA”) or Pruco Life Insurance Company (“PLAZ”) (in New York, by Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (“PLNJ”)), all located in Newark, NJ (main office), or an unaffiliated third-party issuer: Fortitude Life Insurance & Annuity Company (“FLIAC”), located in Jersey City, NJ. Fortitude Re has retained PICA as an unaffiliated Third-Party Administrator. Variable Annuities and Variable Life Insurance are distributed by Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc. (“PAD”), Shelton, CT (main office). Each company (PICA, PLAZ, PLNJ, FLIAC, PAD) is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.

Fortitude Re is the marketing name for FGH Parent, L.P. and its subsidiaries, including FLIAC. Each subsidiary is responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.

FLIAC is not licensed to do business in New York, effective December 31, 2015, which had no impact on existing annuity contracts sold through FLIAC.

Fortitude Re and the Fortitude Re logo are service marks of Fortitude Group Holdings, LLC and its affiliates. Other proprietary Fortitude Re marks may be designated as such through the use of the SM or ® symbols.

Group Insurance coverages are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a Prudential Financial company, Newark, NJ

For additional important information about the products, services and companies that make them available, please clickhere.* for more information about products, services and companies

This web page is being provided for informational or educational purposes only and does not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any client or prospective clients. The information is not intended as investment advice and is not a recommendation about managing or investing your retirement savings. Clients seeking information regarding their particular investment needs should contact a financial professional.

Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and their financial professionals do not render tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your personal circ*mstances. In providing this information, neither Prudential nor any of its affiliates or financial professionals is acting as your ERISA fiduciary.

This website is forU.S. personsonly and may not be approved in all states. Information contained on this site does not and is not intended to constitute an advertisem*nt, solicitation, or offer for sale in any jurisdiction outside the United States, where such use would be prohibited or otherwise regulated.

Securities and Insurance Products:

Certain securities products and services are offered through Pruco Securities, LLC and Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC, both members SIPCand located in Newark, NJ, or Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc., located in Shelton, CT. SeeStatement of Financial Condition PDFfor Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC.

Investing in securities involves risk, and there is always the potential of losing money. Asset allocation and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.

You should consider the features of the contract and/or the underlying portfolios’ investment objectives, policies, management, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency | May Lose Value | Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by the Bank or any Bank Affiliate.

All references to income certainty and guarantees, including optional benefits, are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing company and do not apply to the underlying investment options.

"Prudential Advisors" is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries.

Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, an international group incorporated in the United Kingdom or the Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

By using this website, you agree that you have read and agree to ourTerms and Conditions.

© 2024 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. Prudential, PGIM, the Prudential logo, and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

Does the 4% rule work for today’s retirement? (2024)

FAQs

Does the 4% rule work for today’s retirement? ›

The 4% rule entails withdrawing up to 4% of your retirement in the first year, and subsequently withdrawing based on inflation. Some risks of the 4% rule include whims of the market, life expectancy, and changing tax rates. The rule may not hold up today, and other withdrawal strategies may work better for your needs.

Does the 4% retirement rule still work? ›

The 4% rule was based on a portfolio of 50% stocks and 50% bonds. Most financial professional today will suggest that you diversify your portfolio more than this. It's likely that your actual retirement savings will differ, and they may include cash, precious metals, investment properties, and more.

What are the flaws of the 4% rule? ›

But I have a couple of problems with the 4% rule. First, it assumes a fairly even mix of stocks and bonds, which not all retirees have. Also, it relies on fairly strong bond yields. And while savers may be getting those today, who's to say what they will be years down the road?

Is the 4% retirement rule making a comeback? ›

Ivanna Hampton: New retirees could kick off their golden years with a familiar number, 4%. A trio of Morningstar researchers analyzed starting safe withdrawal rates from an investment portfolio to fund retirement. The future looks good, and a little flexibility could make it even better.

What is the 4% rule the easy answer to how much do I need for retirement? ›

Your yearly expenses x 25 = A BIG NUMBER

THEN if I pull no more than 4% of that number out each year to live on in retirement I 'should' preserve the remainder of my investment, it won't deplete, and I won't run out of money.

How long will $400,000 last in retirement? ›

Safe Withdrawal Rate

Using our portfolio of $400,000 and the 4% withdrawal rate, you could withdraw $16,000 annually from your retirement accounts and expect your money to last for at least 30 years. If, say, your Social Security checks are $2,000 monthly, you'd have a combined annual income in retirement of $40,000.

How many people have $1,000,000 in retirement savings? ›

In fact, statistically, around 10% of retirees have $1 million or more in savings. The majority of retirees, however, have far less saved.

Where did the 4 rule come from? ›

How the Four Percent Rule was Created. The four percent rule stems from historical data on stock and bond returns over the span of 50 years, between the periods of 1926-1976. Before the 1990s, many individuals believed that 5% was the appropriate benchmark value that retirees should've withdrawn each year.

What is the No 4 rule? ›

One frequently used rule of thumb for retirement spending is known as the 4% rule. It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement.

What is the rule 4 percentage? ›

The 4% rule is a popular retirement withdrawal strategy that suggests retirees can safely withdraw the amount equal to 4% of their savings during the year they retire and then adjust for inflation each subsequent year for 30 years.

What is the Biden retirement rule? ›

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has finalized its Retirement Security Rule to protect the millions of workers who are saving for retirement diligently and rely on advice from trusted professionals on how to invest their savings.

What is the golden rule for retirement? ›

Retirement may seem like a distant dream, but it's never too early or too late to start planning. The “golden rule” suggests saving at least 15% of your pre-tax income, but with each individual's financial situation being unique, how can you be sure you're on the right track?

What is the 25x rule for retirement? ›

The 25x Retirement Rule is a guideline that suggests you should aim to save 25 times your annual expenses before retiring. This rule is based on the assumption that a well-invested retirement portfolio can sustainably provide 4% of its value each year to cover living expenses, also known as the "4% Rule."

Why the 4 rule no longer works for retirees? ›

Another critique of the 4% rule is this: No one who reaches the age of 90 and has only $150,000 left in savings will continue to spend $80,000 a year. "Nobody's going to continue spending the same way that they did (during the early years of retirement)," said Finke.

Which is the biggest expense for most retirees? ›

Housing—which includes mortgage, rent, property tax, insurance, maintenance and repair costs—is the largest expense for retirees. More specifically, the average retiree household pays an average of $17,472 per year ($1,456 per month) on housing expenses, representing almost 35% of annual expenditures.

How long will my money last if I withdraw 4 per year? ›

The risk of running out of money is an important risk to manage. But, if you're already retired or older than 65, your planning time horizon may be different. The 4% rule, in other words, may not suit your situation. It includes a very high level of confidence that your portfolio will last for a 30-year period.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free? ›

401(k) withdrawals after age 59½

Once you reach 59½, you can take distributions from your 401(k) plan without being subject to the 10% penalty. However, that doesn't mean there are no consequences. All withdrawals from your 401(k), even those taken after age 59½, are subject to ordinary income taxes.

What are the alternatives to the 4% rule? ›

Adjustments And Alternatives To The 4% Rule

Alternatives include dynamic spending strategies and a reliance on a total return approach rather than a strict withdrawal percentage, adapting to market fluctuations and personal circ*mstances.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

One example is the $1,000/month rule. Created by Wes Moss, a Certified Financial Planner, this strategy helps individuals visualize how much savings they should have in retirement. According to Moss, you should plan to have $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of disposable income in retirement.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 5966

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.