Permission To Live It Up In Retirement With Bill Bengen, Father Of The 4% Rule Going To 5%

Permission To Live It Up In Retirement With Bill Bengen, Father Of The 4% Rule Going To 5%

Author: Sam Dogen: Financial Samurai founder, personal finance blogger October 22, 2025 Duration: 24:02

Bill Bengen, the father of the 4% Rule, is back with a new book titled A Richer Retirement. In it, he raises his SAFEMAX—or safe withdrawal rate—from 4% to 5%. This change has major implications: retirees can confidently spend more and enjoy life to the fullest, while those pursuing FIRE or traditional retirement may not need to save as aggressively or work as long to achieve financial freedom.

See related Financial Samurai post: Persmission To Live It Up In Retirement

Free Financial Analysis Offer From Empower

If you have over $100,000 in investable assets—whether in savings, taxable accounts, 401(k)s, or IRAs—you can get a free financial check-up from an Empower financial professional by signing up here. It's a no-obligation way to have a seasoned expert, who builds and analyzes portfolios for a living, review your finances. 

A fresh set of eyes could uncover hidden fees, inefficient allocations, or opportunities to optimize—giving you greater clarity and confidence in your retirement financial plan.

The statement is provided to you by Financial Samurai ("Promoter") who has entered into a written referral agreement with Empower Advisory Group, LLC ("EAG"). Click here to learn more.

Subscribe To Financial Samurai

To increase your chances of achieving financial independence, join 60,000+ readers and subscribe to my free Financial Samurai newsletter here. Financial Samurai began in 2009 and is the leading independently-owned personal finance site today. Everything is written based off firsthand experience. 

 

 


Money isn't just about numbers on a screen; it's the tool that carves out the life you want to live. On The Financial Samurai Podcast, Sam Dogen digs into that reality with the same direct, experienced perspective that built his influential personal finance blog. You'll hear conversations that go beyond basic tips, focusing instead on the strategic decisions and mental shifts required to build genuine wealth and security. Sam explores the intersection of career, investing, and lifestyle design, drawing from his own journey and insights from various financial trenches. This isn't about get-rich-quick schemes, but about developing a sustainable and intelligent approach to your finances. Each episode feels like a candid discussion with a knowledgeable friend who isn't afraid to tackle the tough questions about risk, opportunity, and what "financial freedom" actually means for different people. Tune in for a podcast that consistently challenges conventional wisdom, offering actionable advice for making your money work harder so you can focus on living better, on your own terms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Financial Samurai Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Buying the Dip: A Mindset Guide for the Next Market Selloff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
Buying the stock market dip can be intimidating. As a result, many investors sit on cash, waiting for clear signs of a recovery. However, history has shown that those who bought during downturns and held on have often do…
The Making Of Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:53
After three years of writing, revising, and reflecting, I'm excited to share that Millionaire Milestones: Simple Steps To Seven Figures is now available everywhere—in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook! In this special epis…
What It's Like Building A $4+ Million New Home From Scratch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:01
In this episode, I talk with Harry, a long-time Financial Samurai reader, about his journey to building a $4+ million home in the Los Angeles area. While most people buy move-in ready homes, Harry shares an insightful be…
Uncertainty, Fear, And Chaos: A Real Estate Investor's Best Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:41
With trade wars, massive federal government employee cuts, fallout with Ukraine, and worsening relationships with European countries, the Trump administration is kicking off with significant uncertainty and chaos. I spok…
The Million-Dollar Mindset By Personal Finance Enthusiasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:07
With stock market volatility returning and the potential for an economic slowdown ahead, I can't help but feel grateful for the incredible gains we've made in 2023 and 2024. This reflection led me to record why I believe…
How An Open-Ended Venture Capital Fund Operates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
In part 2 of my discussion with Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise, and sponsor of Financial Samurai, I ask him about how an open-ended venture capital fund works. If I'm going to build a $500,000+ position in an open-ended fun…
The Bull Case For Commercial Real Estate In 2025 And Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
In this episode, I speak to Ben Miller, co-founder and CEO of Fundrise about his outlook for commercial real estate in 2025. Despite high mortgage rates, he's taken a positive view and he shares the main reasons why. Inv…