Are You Too Late for the Gold Rush? Plus: A Retirement Rule That Might Be Broken

Jan 29, 2026

James Bashall, COO and retirement planner who favors simulation-based strategies. Sam Taube, investing analyst who breaks down precious-metals markets. They discuss why gold and silver act as safe havens and what’s driving recent record highs. They compare physical metals versus ETFs and explore better ways to estimate retirement spending than the simple 80% rule.

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ADVICE

Treat Metals As Diversifiers, Not Trades

Ignore headline-driven gold moves unless you day-trade, and focus on long-term diversification benefits instead.
Keep precious metals as a small portfolio diversifier, not a performance bet.

ADVICE

Rebalance After A Precious-Metals Rally

Rebalance after years when metals outperformed to bring allocations back to target (e.g., 5–10%).
Sell gains from gold to maintain your intended portfolio mix rather than chase further upside.

ADVICE

Choose ETFs Over Physical Unless You Need Insurance

Prefer gold ETFs over physical bullion for hassle-free investing unless you need 'doomsday' insurance.
Physical metals add storage, insurance and resale complications that can erode returns.

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See what gold and silver highs mean and how to plan retirement spending without the 80% rule.

Is gold’s record run a sign you should buy? Do you really need 80% of your income in retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss retirement income rules of thumb to help you understand how to estimate what you might spend after you stop working. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins Sean and Elizabeth to break down the precious-metals rally with investing writer Sam Taube. They discuss why investors treat gold and silver as “safe havens,” how a weakening U.S. dollar and tariff-driven uncertainty can move prices, and what to consider if you’re deciding between physical metals and gold ETFs.

Then, James Bashall, COO and advisor for NerdWallet Wealth Partners, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how to plan for retirement without blindly relying on the 80% rule. They discuss where the 80% benchmark came from, how other shortcuts like the 4% rule and the “rule of $1,000” can shape your thinking, and why running multiple spending scenarios (including a “spending smile”) can help you balance travel, inflation, and health care costs over time.

Wondering how to buy gold? You have several options, including bullion, gold stocks, gold funds and gold futures. Learn more about the pros and cons of each: https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/learn/how-to-buy-gold

If you want to learn more about working with a financial advisor, then visit NerdWallet Wealth Partners at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: gold prices, silver prices, gold record high, investing in precious metals, gold vs silver, safe haven asset, hedge against inflation, hedge against a falling dollar, U.S. dollar decline, dollar index, portfolio diversification, gold ETF, best gold ETFs, physical gold, gold bullion, buying gold coins, storing gold safely, selling gold jewelry, central banks buying gold, geopolitical uncertainty investing, tariffs and markets, market volatility hedge, Goldman Sachs gold forecast, commodity investing, rebalancing portfolio, silver industrial demand, silver for electronics, AI chips silver demand, electric vehicle silver demand, retirement income replacement, 80% rule retirement, retirement spending, 4% rule, withdrawal rate, Monte Carlo retirement simulation, and retirement healthcare costs.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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