Retirement planning: Should I stick to 4 percent pension spending rule in these tough times?

Worried old man concerned about his financial problems. PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK

What are your thoughts on the personal finance rule you should spend 4 percent of your retirement pension every year?

Retirement planning has traditionally been guided by the four percent rule. It recommends that to maintain the same standard of living without running out of money too soon, one ought to take out four percent of their retirement savings each year.

The concept of striking a balance between investing for the future and enjoying retirement has rendered this rule popular despite its simplicity. The effectiveness, however, is rapidly changing as financial environments and economic dynamics change.

The purpose of the four percent rule was to serve as a guideline for retirees to provide a consistent income stream while taking inflation and other market changes into account.

Read: OMONDI: How to instil a more robust culture of retirement saving

Taking a prudent annual withdrawal, or around percent of the retirement portfolio, was the idea behind it, with the purpose of covering living expenses, personal needs, and unanticipated expenses during retirement.

Why the reevaluation

However, there are several reasons why modern financial planning is reevaluating this guideline.

The financial markets’ volatility is one of the main issues. Even if the rule was developed using past market performance, the current state of the economy is different. The sustainability of depending only on a set percentage withdrawal plan is impacted by fluctuating interest rates, geopolitical unpredictability, and unpredictable market behaviours.

Furthermore, a crucial component of the rule that is sometimes disregarded is the longevity of retirees. People are living longer due to improvements in lifestyle and healthcare, and this higher life expectancy has an immediate impact on retirement funds.

Longer retirement durations need adjustments to withdrawal rates, which may call into question the suitability of a constant four percent withdrawal plan over a number of years.

It is also possible that the rule does not take into account the reality of fluctuating expenditures because it presupposes a constant spending pattern throughout retirement. Expenses for hobbies, travel, and healthcare may be higher in early retirement phases, whereas expenditures for these things may be lower or higher in later stages.

Read: Saving culture: Are you building your nest egg?

An important factor that is frequently overlooked with this rule is the effect of inflation. Over time, inflation reduces the purchasing power of money, thus in the future, the same amount of money will purchase less. As such, depending just on a set percentage withdrawal without accounting for inflation may result in lower buying power and hardship later in life.

Alternative approach

An alternative approach to retirement expenditures involves taking into account unique situations, risk tolerance, diversifying your investment portfolio, and reviewing withdrawal plans on a regular basis. It also involves modifying your expenditure in response to shifting lifestyle demands, market conditions, and portfolio performance.

Furthermore, retirement portfolios can be supplemented by alternative retirement income sources like rental income, part-time work, or annuities, which lessen reliance on systematic withdrawals and act as a hedge against market fluctuations.

It is becoming more and more important to review retirement plans with the help of financial advisors, use contemporary retirement planning tools, and be flexible with withdrawal rates in response to shifting market conditions and individual situations. This will provide financial stability far into old age.

The writer is a senior analyst at Zamara and can be reached via [email protected]