Retirement's Most Trusted Rule Under the Microscope

Mason Street Retirement Insights · Sep 15, 2026 · 11m

What if the retirement rule everyone trusts could actually create unnecessary risk? This week, Sean Mason breaks down the widely known 4% rule, including why its creator recently increased the withdrawal rate to 4.7% and what that means for retirees today. Sean explains the dangers of relying on average returns during retirement, the impact of sequence of returns risk, and why a personalized income strategy may be more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach. The conversation also explores longevity, guaranteed income, and how proper portfolio structure can support retirement goals…