
Bill Bengen
Retirement researcher and financial planner who created the original 4% safe-withdrawal-rate rule; author of A Richer Retirement and expert on sustainable withdrawal strategies and sequence-of-returns risk.
Top 10 podcasts with Bill Bengen
Ranked by the Snipd community

58 snips
Nov 22, 2024 • 55min
The Father of the 4% Rule Finally Sets the Record Straight
Bill Bengen, a former rocket scientist and the mastermind behind the 4% rule for retirement, sets the record straight on common misconceptions about retirement planning. He argues that the 4% figure is not a one-size-fits-all solution and reveals that the safe withdrawal rate may be closer to 5% for many. Bengen outlines eight crucial factors influencing withdrawals and introduces four 'free lunches' in retirement planning, emphasizing the importance of diversification and an equity glide path. His practical advice helps demystify financial strategies for a secure retirement.

36 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 50min
4% Rule Creator Bill Bengen Reveals His NEW 5% Retirement Strategy
Bill Bengen, a financial advisor and the mastermind behind the 4% rule, joins the discussion with fresh insights for retirement planning. He reveals why his updated recommendation is now a 4.7% withdrawal rate, signaling greater financial flexibility for retirees. Bengen dives into the psychological barriers retirees face when spending, the role of real estate in a diversified portfolio, and strategies for both active and passive management. He emphasizes the importance of controlling expenses and finding purpose beyond money, reshaping traditional retirement strategies.

30 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 40min
WCI #464: What the Creator of the 4% Rule Says Today
Bill Bengen, retirement researcher and creator of the 4% rule, shares his continuing work on safe withdrawal rates and retirement income. He discusses his book A Richer Retirement and argues why a higher withdrawal rate may be feasible. Conversation covers portfolio construction, inflation risks, glide paths, small-cap tilts, and practical ways to manage spending and downside risk in retirement.

17 snips
Dec 29, 2022 • 1h 30min
What We Learned in 2022
#420: Harvard professor Arthur Brooks described two types of intelligence – and explained, in scientific terms, the wisdom that comes with age.Dr. Ellen Vora, M.D., shared insight into the roots of procrastination, offering evidence-based tips for how to overcome our own inner demons of anxiety, fear and laziness.Psychology professor Bill von Hippel described why too much happiness is just as detrimental to our long-term health and wellbeing as too little happiness.Wall St. Journal columnist Spencer Jakab observed the perfect storm of conditions that gave rise to meme stonks and other oddities of our era.Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy argued for “strategic under-diversification” and explained the Sharpe Ratio.Data scientist Nick Maggiulli explains the save-invest continuum.And financial planner Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4 percent retirement withdrawal rule, talks about what most people misunderstand about the safe withdrawal rate.These are just some of the highlights from the Afford Anything podcast in this 2022 year-in-review episode.Enjoy!For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode420 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
13 snips
Sep 21, 2025 • 1h 2min
A Richer Retirement: The 4.7% Rule | Bill Bengen | 169
In this enlightening discussion, Bill Bengen, a renowned retirement researcher and creator of the original 4% rule, shares insights from his new book, A Richer Retirement. Joined by his wife, Barbara, they reveal their love story before diving into essential strategies for managing a successful retirement withdrawal plan. Bill explains the evolution of the 4% rule to 4.7%, discusses the impact of valuation and inflation, and offers guidance for late starters on how to balance saving and enjoying life. A must-listen for future retirees!

11 snips
Mar 29, 2026 • 45min
Safe Spending in Retirement: Bill Bengen on the 4.7% Rule of Thumb
Bill Bengen, retirement researcher who created the 4% rule and author of A Richer Retirement, explains updates to safe withdrawal thinking. He discusses how valuation and inflation shape withdrawal rates. He highlights adding small- and micro-cap stocks raising the rule to 4.7%. Practical topics include front-loaded withdrawals, rising equity glide paths, cash buckets, rebalancing, and simple all-in-one fund approaches.

8 snips
Nov 30, 2020 • 1h 5min
153: Bill Bengen (The Inventor of the 4% Rule) Talks Retirement, Past Crashes, and How You Can Withdraw Even More!
Bill Bengen, renowned financial advisor and creator of the 4% rule, shares his insights on retirement planning and portfolio management. He explains how he devised the 4% rule and why it remains relevant today. The conversation highlights the impact of inflation and the psychological challenges retirees face during market downturns. Bengen also discusses the importance of strategic investment choices and diversification, while cautioning against the pitfalls of '1 more year syndrome'—a common retirement misstep.

6 snips
Dec 26, 2022 • 31min
Bill Bengen: 4% Rule of Thumb
Bill Bengen, a retired financial advisor and the mastermind behind the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, shares his invaluable insights on sustainable financial strategies. He reassesses the 4% rule amid current market fluctuations, discussing portfolio adjustments necessary for uncertain economic times. Bengen highlights the impacts of high stock valuations and inflation on retirees and the importance of flexible strategies. Listeners will learn how age and spending patterns influence withdrawal rates, along with the potential pitfalls of fixed withdrawal approaches.

Nov 15, 2024 • 47min
The 4% Rule: Clearing Up Misconceptions With Its Creator Bill Bengen
In this discussion with Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4% Rule for retirement planning, we uncover surprising insights into retirement strategies. Bill clarifies that the 4% Rule is more of a flexible guideline than a strict rule, allowing for personalized withdrawal rates. Contrary to popular belief, he reveals that many retirees have successfully withdrawn an average of 7% without depleting their portfolios. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of investing and the importance of finding purpose in retirement beyond just financial success.
Dec 15, 2024 • 58min
Mr 4% is now Mr 5% | Bill Bengen | 111
Bill Bengen, the mastermind behind the 4% rule, shares his insights on retirement planning and market strategies. He reflects on how his research has evolved over 30 years, tackling pressing questions about risk management versus market timing. Bengen offers a sneak peek into his upcoming book, encouraging retirees to be more flexible with their spending. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability in portfolio management and shares valuable advice for late financial starters, making retirement planning less daunting and more attainable.


