Retirement Distributions: All S&P 500 vs. 60/40 Portfolio

Paul Merriman continues our series on radical lifetime investment strategies—comparing an all-equity S&P 500 portfolio to a balanced 60% equity/40% bonds portfolio.

After two episodes focused on the accumulation phase, this third installment shifts to retirement distributions:

• How much income could each portfolio provide?

• How did they hold up during major market crashes?

• What role did bonds play in protecting withdrawals during tough years?

Using 55 years of historical data (1970–2024) and key tables B1

H2

H2A

D1.4

Paul shows the real-world impact of these strategies when you’re living off your investments.

Listen now to see why adding bonds can be a lifesaver in retirement—even if you love the growth potential of stocks.