WCI #464: Is The 4% Rule Still Safe? (Creator Responds)

The 4% rule has been one of the most widely used frameworks in retirement planning—but is it still valid today?

In this episode, we sit down with Bill Bengen, the creator of the 4% rule, to discuss how retirement strategies have evolved and what high-income professionals should be thinking about now.

We cover his latest book, A Richer Retirement, along with his current recommendations on safe withdrawal rates, portfolio construction, and how different asset classes can impact retirement income.

We also address common misconceptions about the 4% rule, answer audience questions, and explore what actually leads to a successful—and happy—retirement.

If you're a physician, dentist, or high-income professional planning for retirement, this conversation will help you better understand how much you can safely spend—and how to think about risk, flexibility, and long-term planning.

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The White Coat Investor Podcast launched in January 2017, and since then, millions have downloaded it. Join your fellow physicians and other high income professionals and subscribe today! Host, Dr. Jim Dahle, is a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor blog. Like the blog, The White Coat Investor Podcast is dedicated to educating medical students, residents, physicians, dentists, and similar high-income professionals about personal finance and building wealth, so they can ultimately be their own financial advisor-or at least know enough to not get ripped off by a financial advisor. We tackle the hard topics like the best ways to pay off student loans, how to create your own personal financial plan, retirement planning, how to save money, investing in real estate, side hustles, and how everyone can be a millionaire by living WCI principles.

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